Hello, I’m Dave Higgins, a legal translator based in Okinawa, Japan. If you’re a Philippine passport holder planning to get married in Japan, I’m here to help you navigate the process. Let’s start with the basics: in Japan, legal marriage is all about the paperwork. While a celebration or ceremony is a meaningful addition, it’s entirely optional and doesn’t affect the legality of your marriage.
Documents Required for Philippine Citizens
If you are a Filipino citizen residing in Japan and wish to marry a foreign national, you will need to obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (LCCM) from the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo. To obtain this document, you must prepare the following:
- Duly accomplished application form
- Valid Philippine passport – Original and one (1) copy
- Residence Card or Visa in Japan – Original and one (1) copy
- Birth Certificate – DFA authenticated or DFA Apostilled PSA-issued original and one (1) copy
- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) – DFA authenticated or DFA Apostilled PSA-issued original and one (1) copy (valid for six months)
- Three (3) passport-sized photos
- For Filipinos aged 18-25: Affidavit of Parental Consent (for ages 18-20) or Affidavit of Parental Advice (for ages 21-25), with valid passport or ID of the parent(s)
If your parents are in the Philippines, the affidavit must be notarized in the Philippines and authenticated by the DFA. If they are in Japan, they can execute the affidavit at the Philippine Embassy.
Here is the link to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.
Documents Required for Your U.S. Citizen Partner
If you’re marrying a U.S. citizen, they will need to provide:
- A Single Affidavit notarized at a U.S. legal services office, Embassy, or Consulate.
- A Passport, Birth Certificate, or Naturalization Document (the birth certificate or naturalization document will require translation into Japanese; the passport usually doesn’t).
At Dave Higgins Office, we specialize in translating these documents into Japanese. Simply scan or photograph your documents and email them to us, and we’ll take care of the translations.
Submitting Your Marriage Application
Once your documents are translated, we’ll assist you in completing your marriage application. Ensuring accuracy is vital, as any discrepancies can cause delays.
Your marriage application will also require two witnesses. My wife and I can serve as your witnesses, and since we’re both residents of Japan, we don’t need to be present at the city office with you. If you’d prefer your own witnesses, you’ll need to provide us with their full names, birth dates, nationalities, and local addresses. They must be present with you at the city office on the day of your marriage.
Once these steps are completed, you’ll submit your documents to the city office nearest your residence in Japan, which could even be your hotel. Some town or village offices may require additional documents, so we recommend consulting with us to ensure a smooth submission process.
After Marriage Registration
After your marriage is registered, you’ll receive a marriage certificate in Japanese. We can translate this certificate back into English and provide you with certified copies, which you’ll need to report your marriage to the appropriate authorities in your home country.
And that’s it! If you have any questions about getting married in Japan as a Philippine citizen, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.