How to Get Married in Japan: A Guide for Australian Citizens
G’day! I’m Dave Higgins, a legal translator based in Okinawa, Japan. If you’re an Australian passport holder looking to get married in Japan, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s walk through the steps to make it official, stress-free, and smooth.
First things first, it’s important to know that getting legally married in Japan is all about the paperwork. Any wedding ceremony, party, or celebration you have is entirely separate and optional. The legal aspect is what makes your marriage recognized in Japan.
For Australian citizens, there’s one key document you’ll need:
- Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage
You can obtain this document from an Australian Embassy or Consulate in Japan. There are 4 locations across Japan where you can get your Certificate of No Impediment. Make sure to visit one of these offices in person to retrieve it.
Once you have your Certificate of No Impediment, it will be in English, but don’t worry—before you can use it in Japan, it needs to be translated into Japanese. That’s where we come in! At Dave Higgins Office, we offer translation services to ensure your documents are accurately translated and ready for submission. Simply scan or photograph the document and send it to us, and we’ll take care of the rest.
After the translation is complete, we’ll assist you in filling out your marriage application. This application must be done only after the Certificate of No Impediment has been translated into Japanese. It’s crucial that the information on your application matches the translated document exactly. One of the advantages of using the same translator for all your documents is that it helps prevent any inconsistencies.
Your marriage application will also need two witnesses. My wife and I are available to be your witnesses, and since we’re both residents of Japan, we don’t need to accompany you to the city office in person. If you prefer to have your own witnesses, just 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 your wedding day.
Once all the paperwork is sorted, you’ll submit your documents to the city office nearest to where you’re staying in Japan. If you’re planning to submit them to a town or village office, there may be additional requirements, so it’s a good idea to consult with us beforehand to ensure everything goes smoothly.
After your marriage is registered, you’ll receive a marriage certificate in Japanese. You’ll have the option to choose between two types of certificates: a small A4-sized version that’s great for keeping on file, and a larger B4 version that looks lovely framed on your wall. We can also translate your marriage certificate into English and provide you with several certified copies, which you’ll need to report your marriage to the Australian authorities.
And that’s it! If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help you navigate the process with ease, so you can focus on enjoying this exciting chapter of your life.
