Marrying in Japan is unique and enriching, but it requires detailed planning and meets specific requirements. If you plan on getting married in Japan, you may have several questions about the process, mainly if you are a foreigner. That's where a guide is handy to walk you through the most critical steps in legally recognizing your marriage and smoothly executing it.
Getting married in Japan is a dream many couples have, especially foreign couples. Getting married involves several steps, though, which may be quite different from what you are used to expecting from your country. Whether you're a foreigner preparing to marry a Japanese national or a Japanese citizen marrying one from abroad, you have much to learn about the requirements and procedures you must follow.
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Before planning your wedding, you must understand the criteria for getting married in Japan, including who is eligible. The law demands that the parties meet the marriage requirements to be considered valid and lawful. The requirements are enumerated below.
If you are a foreigner, you will also have to prove that you are within the legal bounds to get married to a Japanese under your country's laws.
Getting married in Japan requires you to provide and submit several documents. Listed below is a general idea of what you may be needing:
These should be translated into Japanese by a certified translator. It is important to note that the Japanese authorities will require both the original documents and their translations.
Getting married in Japan is done by submitting your marriage application to the local city or ward office. Here's a rough idea of what you might expect:
You will receive a marriage certificate once your application is processed and approved. This legal paper attests that your marriage is lawfully recognized in Japan.
Due to added requirements, it may sound all the more complicated for foreigners to get married in Japan. Well, here are things to consider if you're a foreigner and got married in Japan:
After getting married in Japan, you must often have your marriage recognized in your home country. For some countries, this will require you to have your marriage registered with your home country's local authorities or embassy. This is good to inquire about so you do not experience problems.
Residency and visa issues must be resolved if you will be staying in Japan following your marriage. Your marriage will affect your spouse through their visa status; you may also want to consider applying for a spousal visa. You should find out what documents you need to adjust your visa status.
Marriage in Japan includes crossing cultural boundaries as well. Regarding marriage ceremonies and traditions, Japanese customs may differ significantly from what the people of Japan are used to. Enjoy the difference; it will make it all the more rewarding and fun.
Among the many questions usually asked, one is: "Do Japanese marry foreigners?" Yes, many citizens of Japan do marry foreigners. This has been a typical cross-cultural exchange in recent times, with the global nature of today's world. Many successful marriages between Japanese and foreigners are built on mutual respect, understanding, and love.
The Transpacific Marriage Agency has been in the facilitation of these marriages for many years. Since 1994, TMA has specialized in introducing Japanese women to Western men for dating, romance, and marriage. Being in this profession provides much experience to help many couples easily take their relations through the complexities toward final acceptance and living together happily as husband and wife.
Getting married in Japan can be well-planned, with an understanding of the locals' requirements. Preparing the required documents and understanding the legal and cultural aspects, together with expert advice from the Transpacific Marriage Agency, will ensure the legality and celebration of one's marriage in Japan.
Whether you are a foreigner marrying the Japanese or a Japanese marrying someone from abroad, taking the time to understand these requirements will make your wedding a joyous and legally valid one.