Hello, I’m Dave Higgins, a legal translator based in Okinawa, Japan. If you’re a Peruvian passport holder planning to get married in Japan, I’m here to help you navigate the process smoothly. Let’s start with the basics: in Japan, legal marriage is all about the paperwork. While a celebration or ceremony can be a wonderful addition, it’s entirely optional and doesn’t affect the legality of your marriage.
Documents Required for Peruvian Citizens
The documents you need depend on whether the back of your Peruvian DNI card shows a Japanese address or not.
If the back of your Peruvian DNI does NOT show a Japanese address
You’ll need to provide the following documents:
- Certificate of Single Status authenticated by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (with Apostille).
- Birth Certificate authenticated by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (with Apostille).
- Sworn Statement issued by the Peruvian Embassy.
- Declaration (for cases where a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry is not available).
- Passport
- Peruvian ID Card (DNI Card)
- Any documents in languages other than Japanese require translation.
If the back of your Peruvian DNI shows a Japanese address
Due to the principle of renvoi, Japanese law applies. In this case, you need:
- Certificate of Single Status authenticated by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (with Apostille).
- Birth Certificate authenticated by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (with Apostille).
- Declaration (confirming that you meet the legal requirements for marriage under Peruvian law).
- Passport
- Peruvian ID Card (DNI Card)
- The Sworn Statement from the Peruvian Embassy is NOT required.
- Additionally, in the remarks section of the Declaration, include: “Due to the principle of renvoi in my home country’s legal provisions, I request that my eligibility for marriage be assessed under Japanese law.”
- This declaration document can be prepared in Japanese by us, and you will just need to sign it.
Documents Required for Your U.S. Citizen Partner
If you’re marrying a U.S. citizen, your fiancé will need to provide:
- Single Affidavit notarized at a U.S. legal services office, Embassy, or Consulate.
- Passport, Birth Certificate, or Naturalization Document
- If using a birth certificate or naturalization document, it will need translation into Japanese. The passport usually does not require translation.
Translation and Application Assistance
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.
Once your documents are translated, we’ll assist you in completing your marriage application. It’s vital that this application mirrors the information in your original documents, so having everything translated by the same service minimizes the risk of discrepancies.
Witnesses for Your Marriage Application
Your marriage application requires 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 will need to be present with you at the city office on the day of your marriage.
Final Steps: Submitting Your Marriage Application
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 your marriage is registered, you’ll receive a Japanese marriage certificate. 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 Peruvian citizen, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.