Japan–Australia Marriage Registration & Spouse Visa Guide
Marriage Between Japanese and Australian Citizens: Registration and Spouse Visa Procedures
International Marriage & Japan Immigration Law
How Can a Japanese Citizen Marry an Australian National?
A Japanese citizen and an Australian national may legally marry in either Japan or Australia.
For the Australian spouse to obtain the Japanese residence status Spouse or Child of Japanese National, the marriage must be legally valid and appropriately documented.
In Australia, the minimum marriage age is generally 18. A person aged 16 or 17 may marry someone aged 18 or older with the required court approval and parental or guardian consent. Australia also permits couples to retain different surnames and imposes no general waiting period for remarriage following a legally completed divorce.
Couples should decide where to marry based on their residence, documentary requirements, processing times, and plans for living in Japan.
1. Getting Married in Japan First
When the couple chooses to marry in Japan, the procedure generally involves two steps.
Step 1: Obtain a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI)
The Australian spouse generally obtains a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) from the Australian Embassy or Consulate.
The CNI confirms that Australian authorities are unaware of any legal impediment to the proposed marriage.
Typical documents include:
- CNI application form
- Australian passport or other identification
- Information and identification for the intended spouse
- Divorce or death certificates, if previously married
- Applicable consular fee
Additional documentation and translations may be required. Applicants should confirm the current procedures with the Australian diplomatic mission before applying.
Step 2: Register the Marriage at a Japanese Municipal Office
After obtaining the CNI, the couple submits a marriage notification (Kon-in Todoke) to the appropriate Japanese municipal office.
Typical supporting documents include:
Australian spouse:
- CNI and Japanese translation
- Passport
- Residence card, if applicable
- Additional documents requested by the municipality
Japanese spouse:
- Identification documents
- Family register (Koseki Tohon), where required
- Marriage notification signed by two adult witnesses
Once the marriage is accepted by the municipal office, it becomes legally effective in Japan.
A marriage validly concluded in Japan is generally recognized in Australia without a separate marriage registration procedure.
The Australian Embassy does not issue an Australian marriage certificate for marriages performed in Japan.
2. Getting Married in Australia First
Couples marrying in Australia must follow the procedures established under Australian marriage law.
The process generally involves preparing the required documents, submitting a Notice of Intended Marriage, completing the wedding ceremony, and reporting the marriage to Japan.
Step 1: Prepare the Marriage Documents
The Japanese spouse generally needs to provide identification and evidence of their date and place of birth, such as a passport or birth certificate.
Depending on the circumstances, additional documentation concerning previous marriages or marital status may be required.
A Japanese Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage may be requested in particular cases, but it is not a universal requirement for Australian marriages.
Any requirements for translation or authentication should be confirmed with the authorized marriage celebrant.
Step 2: Submit a Notice of Intended Marriage and Complete the Ceremony
Before the wedding, the couple must submit a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) to an authorized marriage celebrant.
Under Australian law:
- The NOIM must generally be submitted at least one month and no more than 18 months before the wedding.
- The one-month notice period may be shortened only in prescribed circumstances with the relevant authority’s approval.
- The wedding must be conducted by an authorized marriage celebrant.
- Two witnesses aged 18 or older must attend and sign the marriage documents.
The ceremony may take place at a church, marriage registry office, wedding venue, or another suitable location.
Following the ceremony, the celebrant submits the marriage documents for registration, generally within 14 days. The couple can then obtain an official marriage certificate from the relevant state or territory registry.
Step 3: Report the Marriage to Japanese Authorities
After the marriage is legally completed in Australia, the Japanese spouse must report it to Japanese authorities.
The notification should generally be submitted within three months of the marriage.
The report may be filed with a Japanese embassy or consulate in Australia or the appropriate municipal office in Japan.
Typical documents include:
- Japanese marriage notification
- Official Australian marriage certificate
- Japanese translation of the marriage certificate
- Passports or other nationality documents
- Additional documentation required by the relevant authority
Where the couple intends to apply for a Japanese spouse visa promptly, they should consider the time required for the marriage to be recorded in the Japanese family register.
3. Applying for a Japanese Spouse Visa After Marriage
After the marriage has been properly documented, the Australian spouse may apply for Spouse or Child of Japanese National status.
Japanese immigration authorities examine whether the marriage is genuine and whether the couple has sufficient financial resources to maintain their household in Japan.
For an Australian spouse residing overseas, the standard procedure generally involves obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before applying for a visa.
If the Australian spouse already holds an eligible residence status in Japan, a Change of Status of Residence application may be appropriate. The applicant may also consider applying for a change of status of residence from Temporary Visitor status, subject to the applicable immigration requirements.
Couples who have lived overseas for several years and cannot obtain recent Japanese tax certificates may need to provide alternative evidence of income (Individual Tax Return, Income Statement, Notice of Assessment（NOA）など), savings, or financial support.
Continental Immigration: Japanese–Australian Marriage and Visa Support
Continental Immigration Administrative Scrivener Corporation assists Japanese–Australian couples with spouse visa applications, Certificates of Eligibility, and changes of residence status.
Our services include evaluating marriage documentation, preparing immigration applications, and organizing financial evidence for couples relocating to Japan.
As your Trusted Advisor, we provide professional immigration assistance tailored to each couple’s circumstances.
Continental Immigration Administrative Scrivener Corporation
International Marriage | Japanese Spouse Visas | Family Immigration
https://en.continental-immigration.com/
Disclaimer: Marriage registration and immigration requirements may vary depending on individual circumstances, the relevant municipality, and the Australian state or territory. Applicants should confirm current requirements with the responsible authorities.
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
