Marriage

Getting married in Japan as a foreigner involves two separate processes — a Japanese legal registration and the documentation from your home country — and missing either creates problems. The process is manageable when you know what’s required. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting married in Japan. Overview of the Process Gather required documents from your home country Get documents certified/apostilled Translate documents into Japanese Submit notification of marriage (婚姻届) at your local municipal office Update your Residence Card (if applicable) Apply for Spouse Visa (if your partner is Japanese and you’re on a different visa) Step 1: Documents Required For the Foreign Spouse You’ll need documents proving your current legal status and that you’re free to marry. Required documents vary by nationality but typically include: ...

A spouse visa in Japan grants significant flexibility — the right to live and work without a separate work visa. But the application requires solid documentation of your relationship, and immigration officers look carefully at the details. Here’s a complete guide to the spouse visa application. Types of Spouse Visas Visa Type For Spouse of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等) Married to a Japanese citizen Spouse of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等) Married to a PR holder in Japan Both visas allow you to: ...