As a general rule, marriage procedures with a Chinese national are carried out in China first.

Please note that the place to submit the marriage notification differs depending on whether the Chinese partner lives in Japan or in China.

If your Chinese partner lives in China and you wish to register your marriage at the Chinese Marriage Registry Office

1. Both the Japanese and Chinese spouses should prepare the following documents and submit them to the marriage registration office in the Chinese spouse’s place of residence.

Basic documents to be submitted (depending on the marriage registry office, please check in advance)

Required documents for Japanese spouse

  • A certificate of legal capacity to marry.
  • (After the certificate has been issued by the Legal Affairs Bureau, it must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Japan. (The certificate must be issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Chinese Embassy in Japan, and can also be issued by the Japanese Embassy (or Consulate) in China.
  • Passport

Required documents for Chinese nationals

  • ID card
  • Family register (similar to a copy of the family register in Japan)

2. After completing the formalities in China, the couple should submit the marriage notification to the municipal office of their registered residence in Japan or to the municipal office of their registered domicile (this can also be done at a Japanese consulate in China).

Basic documents to be submitted (depending on the municipal office, please check in advance)

  • A notarized marriage certificate (issued by a Chinese notary public or embassy in Japan). If you are living in Japan, you will need to obtain two copies of this document, as it will also be used for your immigration application.
  • Notarised Certificate of Nationality (for Chinese nationals. Chinese nationality certificate (for Chinese nationals, to be issued by the Chinese notary office or embassy in Japan)
  • Birth certificate (for Chinese nationals. Birth certificate (for Chinese nationals, to be issued by a Chinese notary public or embassy in Japan)
  • A copy of your family register (for Japanese nationals. A copy of the family register (for Japanese nationals, not required if you are reporting to the local government office of your domicile)
  • Seal of the person submitting the application

If the Chinese spouse is already living in Japan on a student visa or a work visa

If your Chinese spouse is already living in Japan on a student or work visa, you can register your marriage at the Chinese embassy in Tokyo.

The basic documents to be presented at the municipal office (please check in advance, as they vary from office to office)

  • A certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage (Japanese translation is required)
  • A copy of the family register of the Japanese national (not required if the municipal office to which the document is submitted is the office of the Japanese national’s domicile)
  • Passport
  • Alien Registration Card

Once you have completed the above procedures, you will be legally recognized as a married couple.

If you wish to live together as a couple in Japan, you will need to complete the above procedures and then apply for a visa (status of residence) at the Immigration Bureau.

If the Chinese partner is already living in Japan, we will change the visa status from College Student or Working Visa to Japanese Spouse Visa.

If your Chinese partner is already living in Japan, you will need to apply for a “Certificate of Eligibility” issued by the Immigration Bureau and obtain a “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” visa.