Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry in Japan（婚姻要件具備証明書） | Guide
Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry in Japan: Requirements and Alternative Documents
What Is a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry?
When a foreign national wishes to marry under Japanese law, the Japanese municipal office must confirm that the individual meets the legal requirements for marriage under their home country’s laws.
These requirements generally include the legal marriage age, unmarried status, and absence of other legal impediments.
To establish eligibility, foreign nationals are generally asked to submit a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (Kon-in Yoken Gubi Shomeisho, 婚姻要件具備証明書), also commonly called a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage.
This document is issued by an authorized authority of the foreign national’s home country, such as an embassy or consulate.
However, some countries do not issue such certificates.
This is one of the required documents for obtaining a Japanese spouse visa.
1. What If Your Country Does Not Issue a Marriage Eligibility Certificate?
Where a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry is unavailable, Japanese municipal offices may accept alternative documentation.
For example, a foreign national may be able to submit a sworn affidavit declaring that they meet the legal marriage age and are legally free to marry.
If the affidavit is executed before an authorized consular officer and properly certified, it may be accepted as a substitute, together with a Japanese translation.
Examples of country-specific documents include:
- United States: The U.S. government does not issue an official Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry. Since September 2025, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Japan have discontinued notarizing marriage competency affidavits. Applicants should confirm acceptable alternative documentation with the Japanese municipal office.
Conversely, however, if a letter confirming these facts is duly notarized by a notary public commissioned by the relevant U.S. state and submitted to the Japanese authorities, they should, in principle, accept it as sufficient documentation. An apostille may also be required, depending on the circumstances.
- Australia: Australian authorities issue a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI), which may be used for marriage registration in Japan.
Procedures, document formats, and requirements differ by country.
EX／Sample of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage Formerly Issued by the U.S. Government
EX：AU／Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (JPN translation)
2. Are Translations Required?
Foreign-language documents submitted to a Japanese municipal office must generally be accompanied by Japanese translations.
The translation must identify the translator. Under Japanese registration procedures, the applicant or spouse may ordinarily prepare the translation.
Similarly, when a Japanese citizen marries overseas, a Japanese Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry may need to be translated into the language required by the foreign authority.
Some countries accept translations prepared by the applicant, while others require certified or officially authorized translators.
Depending on the destination country, notarization, apostille certification, or other authentication may also be required.
3. What If No Certificate or Affidavit Is Available?
Where neither a marriage eligibility certificate nor an acceptable affidavit can be obtained, alternative evidence may be required.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Justice, such evidence may include:
- Applicable foreign marriage laws: Copies of the relevant laws, identifying their official sources, with Japanese translations.
- Official identity and civil-status documents: Passports, nationality certificates, birth certificates, or civil registration records, with Japanese translations.
Whether these documents are sufficient depends on the circumstances and the assessment of the municipal office, potentially in consultation with the competent Legal Affairs Bureau.
Applicants should therefore consult the municipal office before submitting their marriage notification.
4. Japanese Citizens Marrying Overseas
Japanese nationals marrying under a foreign country’s procedures may also be required to obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry.
Depending on the circumstances, the certificate can be obtained from a Japanese embassy or consulate overseas, a Legal Affairs Bureau in Japan, or the relevant Japanese municipal office.
The receiving foreign authority determines whether translations, apostilles, or other authentication are necessary.
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Professional
Masakazu Murai
18 years’ experience in Investment Banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley (JV, MUFG Bank and Morgan Stanley). He had provided financial advisory more than 500 entrepreneurs and senior management.
During his tenure, he worked as an employee union executive committee member in promoting diversity, including the active participation of foreigners and women in the office, and engaged in activities to improve the working environment. He specializes in financial consulting and VISA/PR consulting.
Gyoseishoshi Immigration Lawyer, 東京都行政書士会 港支部 副支部長
CMA(Japanese financial analyst license)
CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship
