Notification of a marriage
Notification of a marriage should be made at the city, ward, town or village office.
Foreign nationals living in Japan should make a notification of a marriage in accordance with the Family Register Law.
A foreign national does not obtain Japanese nationality by making a notification of their marriage to a Japanese national, nor does a Japanese national obtain foreign nationality.  Foreign nationals who have married a Japanese national and would like to change their status of residence (zairyu shikaku) to a spouse of a Japanese (nihonjin no haigusha) should consult the immigration office for their district.
A marriage should be reported to the government of the individual’s nationality.  For information of procedures, consult the relevant embassy or consulate.
The conditions for the conclusion of a marriage vary according to the country.  Japanese nationals must fulfill the conditions required in Japan, and foreign nationals must fulfill the conditions required in their country.

(1)    Period of notification: Voluntary
(2)    Notification applicant: The married couple (both people)
(3)    Place of notification: The city, ward, town or village office of the address of either person or of their family register (honseki).
(4)    Required documents:
1.    Notification of a Marriage Form (konin todoke sho)
This is available at city, ward, town and village offices.  This document must have the signature and seal of two adult witnesses.
2.    Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (konin yoken kubi shomei sho)
This is a document to certify there is no impediment to the marriage. The document is issued by an embassy or consulate. If it is written in a foreign language, a translation of it must be made and presented at the same time.
Those who cannot obtain this document should, with the help of a person who understands Japanese, contact the Ministry of Justice through their city, ward, town or village office.
3.    The applicant’s seal (inkan)
Those who do not have a seal may use their signature.
4.    Identification of one’s nationality
Passport, etc.


Note 1    The authorities responsible for applications, procedures, services and the naming of these may vary according to city, ward, town or village.
         For details, ask a person who understands Japanese to enquire for you at your city, ward, town or village office.

Note 2    The information given is that confirmed as of July 2002. Note that a new system or system revisions may have been introduced after this date.

This information is from the CLAIR website. The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) was established in July 1988 in response to rising concerns about local level internationalization in Japan.