U.S. Embassy & Consulates
in Japan

If you are a U.S. citizen and are planning to get married in Japan, you will need to fill out an “Affidavit of Competency to Marry,” using this form (PDF 158KB). The form has two pages, one to be completed in English and the other to be used to translate the English page into Japanese. The Japanese translation page does not need to be notarized. Please note that this form will be valid for three months.

If you and your spouse-to-be are both U.S. citizens, you must complete a “Joint Affidavit of Competency to Marry,” using this form (PDF 77KB). Please note this form has two pages, one to be completed in English and the other to be used to translate the English page into Japanese. The Japanese translation does not need to be notarized. Please note that this form will be valid for three months.

These forms are required by Japanese law and are not a requirement of the U.S. Government. No registration of your legal marriage abroad is required by the U.S. Government, and your foreign (i.e. Japanese) partner need not come to our offices. Learn more about the requirements for getting married in Japan at our Marriage in Japan page.