Marriage
Marriage in Japan
Please note that we do not have the power to marry people at the Embassy or our Consulates.
An Australian citizen intending to marry in Japan must obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) (Mushogai shomeisho) from the Embassy or one of our Consulates. A CNI is a letter from the Embassy stating that there is no known impediment to the proposed marriage. To obtain a CNI an Australian citizen must make a statutory declaration (Sensei kyojitusho) to the Embassy or Consulate regarding a number of personal details and stating that both parties are legally able to marry.
The Certificate of No Impediment will need to be lodged at your local Ward/City Office, along with your passport, alien registration card (if applicable), and in the case of marriage to a Japanese citizen, a copy of the Family Register. Some City Offices may ask you to present your original Birth Certificate, declaration and/or translations of your Australian passport and other identification documents. You will need to confirm with your City Office which other documents they require in addition to the CNI. A Registration of Marriage Form will need to be completed and witnessed by two witnesses. Please note that for couples where neither party speaks nor writes Japanese, you will need to arrange for a Japanese speaking friend or translation company to assist you with completing Japanese documentation at the Japanese City Office. The Australian Embassy Tokyo and Australian Consulates in Japan do not provide translation services.
Following lodgement of the Registration of Marriage Form and all necessary documentation, a Receipt of Registration of Marriage will be issued.
You may be asked by your local city office to produce a "konin yoken gubi shomeisho / konin gubi shomeisho", but the Embassy, due to Australian law, is only able to issue the government standard "konin mushogai shomeisho". When submitting your "konin mushogai shomeisho", you also need to produce a statutory declaration which is the bottom part of the CNI (Certificate of No Impediment) application form.
Please note most Japanese City Offices only recognise a CNI's validity for three months from the date of issue. Please obtain your CNI close to when you plan on lodging your marriage registration.
A legal marriage in Japan is recognised as legal in Australia. There is no need to register the marriage with the Embassy.
Certificate of No Impediment (CNI)
Before a No Impediment Certificate can be issued, the Australian must sign a CNI Application Form in the presence of an Australian Consular Officer at the Embassy or at one of our Consulates in Fukuoka, Osaka, or Sapporo.
Please ensure you complete both the male and female columns of the CNI application form.
You should bring the documents listed below, and you must telephone in advance to make an appointment.
- Consular fee
- Both passports
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If either party has previously been married:
- Evidence of dissolution of the marriage, i.e. a Divorce decree absolute (Rikon shomeisho); or
- Death certificate (Shibou shindan sho) of the former spouse.
- If either party is Japanese, a copy of Family Register (koseki tohon)
If you are unable to come to one of our offices, you can have the form witnessed by a Japanese Notary (Koshonin) and forward it to us by certified mail with the above documents.
Where the proposed marriage is between two Australian citizens, two forms should be completed as the Japanese registration process requires that a certificate should be issued to each party.
Please note that all fees are payable in Japanese yen and in cash; or by a postal money order (yuubin kawase), which is available at the post office.
If you need further information, please contact the Embassy Consular Section.
An appointment with our office is required to lodge a CNI application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I marry at the Embassy?
No.
What do I need to do to get married in Japan?
The Australian citizen will need to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) from the Embassy then approach the ward office (Shiyakusho/Kuyakusho) in the area he/she is living. You will need to confirm with your City Office which other documents you need to submit in addition to the CNI.
If marrying a Japanese national that person will need to take the family register to the ward office.
The Australian party should bring their current passport to the Embassy or Consulate at the time of applying for a CNI. A signed declaration needs to be made and confirmation of identity is important.
Does issuance of a Certificate of No Impediment guarantee that we will be married by Japanese authorities ?
No.
How long time does it take to issue a CNI and what does it cost?
Usually about 30 minutes or we can post it out.
If I marry in Japan, is it recognised as legal in Australia?
Yes.
Do I need to register the marriage in Australia?
No.
Can I register the marriage in Australia?
No. There is no need to since your Japanese marriage certificate is valid in Australia too.
Do I need to register the marriage with the Embassy?
No.
Can I marry a third country national in Japan?
Yes.
Can I marry before my Divorce Decree Absolute (Rikon shomeisho) is issued?
No.
Where should I go to register / legalise my marriage in Japan?
Normally the Ward Office (Shiyakusho/Kuyakusho) closest to your residential address. A CNI is usually required.
I am applying for a spouse visa in Japan and Japanese Immigration have requested a letter from the Embassy stating that I am legally married. Can the Embassy provide me with this letter?
Yes, on sighting of suitable identification and official evidence of marriage in the form of either your Konin Todoke Juri Shomeisho, or if you have married a Japanese national their adjusted Koseki Tohon (Family Register).