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If you are a Philippine passport holder who wants to get married in Japan with a Japanese passport holder, then I hope this can help you.
After doing some research, I decided that it would be easier if my Japanese Fiance and I would just get married in Japan. I basically just wanted to avoid 2 things:
- the long time it usually takes just to get or process any paper work here the Philippines and
- having to pay unnecessary fees.
Fortunately, we successfully got married on June 2018 in Japan.
It took about 5 weeks to get everything done. And using a 30 days Tourist Visa was fine.
Whatever reason you may have to want to get married in the land of the rising sun, all I can tell you is that it is certainly doable.
To get married in Japan, I have broken down the whole process into 3 steps.
- Get your Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage certification (LCCM) from the Philippine Embassy
- Get Married
- Report your Marriage back to the Philippine Embassy
Looks easy right? Well it is, you just need to be prepared with ALL of your documents.
How To Get Married in Japan
Step I: Get an LCCM certificate
LCCM stands for Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. When you get this document, you will also be receiving an Affidavit of Civil Status. You need both these documents to prove that you are eligible to get married to a foreign national.
You can get this document from 5 places in Japan.
- the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo or;
- the Philippine Consulate offices in Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo, Nagoya, or Okinawa.
*We were staying in Saitama, so our nearest option was the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.
*Please note that the Phil. Embassy in Tokyo closes at 3 p.m.
My Requirements as a Single Filipino:
- Duly accomplished LCCM application form
- Valid passport – Original and one (1) copy
- Residence Card or Visa in Japan (Tourist Visa is ok) – Original and one (1) copy
- PSA issued Birth Certificate – Original and one (1) copy
- DFA authenticated (Red ribbon) PSA issued Birth Certificate – Original and one (1) copy
- PSA issued Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) – Original and one (1) copy
- DFA authenticated (Red ribbon) PSA issued Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) – Original and one (1) copy
- Three (3) passport-sized photos
*Please note that there are Additional Requirements for Single Filipinos between 18-25 years old; a Divorced Filipino; a Filipino whose former marriage was Annulled in the Philippines; and a Widowed Filipino. Please check the Tokyo embassy website for more info: https://tokyo.philembassy.net/consular-section/services/civil-registration/legal-capacity-to-contract-marriage-certification/
Requirements for the Japanese Fiancé:
- Family Registry (Koseki Tohon), must be valid for three (3) months – Original and one (1) copy
- Kaisei Gen Koseki or Joseki Tohon – If the koseki tohon does not indicate previous record of marriage, divorce and death of former spouse
- Valid Passport or any valid ID with picture – Original and one (1) copy
- Three (3) Passport-sized photos
- Letter pack plus (red) (if you wish your documents to be mailed through the Post Office)
What to do in the Embassy:
- Get the LCCM application form from the guard at the entrance. Ask also which window you need to go to.
*You can download the form from the embassy website: http://tokyo.philembassy.net/consular-section/downloadable-forms/ - Fill up the form complete with both your pictures. Ready all your documents together.
- Go the appropriate window and pass your application form with your documents.
- They will give you an invoice.
- Pay at the cashier. ( 9,750 yen)
- Go back to the first window to show your receipt.
- Make sure you label your Letter Pack Plus. We put in my fiance’s address. Wait for additional instructions, if there’s any.
Done!
Reminders:
- The Tokyo Philippine Embassy Consular Service is open from Monday – Friday at 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Processed documents may either be picked up at the Embassy or mailed through the Post Office
- The Embassy may require additional documents if deemed necessary
- Applicable fees depend on each particular case.
- Processing period is 10 working days.
*Our documents arrived exactly after 10 business working days through the post.
Click on the next page if you want to know about Step II and Step III.
2019-04-09
Hi, Prior to enterting japan, did you use tourist visa? can you also send me details about the process and immigration experience. Thanks
2019-04-21
Yes, I only used a Tourist Visa.
In my case, the immigration officer only asked basic questions such as “How long are you staying in Japan?”.
He didn’t ask any documents from me. Although I have a lot of my documents ready in my hand-carry bag, just in case.
And that was it. I got a stamp, and passed immigration.
2019-09-24
Hi, the article about how to get the PSA marriage certificate was really helpful. I was wondering how long it took to get a response from the DFA?
2019-11-02
Hi, thank you for the comment. Soory for the late reply.
They usually reply within a day if working days.
2019-10-16
Hi! How many pieces of birth certs and cenomar did you aquire from PSA in total? Thank you!
2019-11-02
Hi Gyl!
Since we can’t get PSA documents in Japan, I prepared 3 each just in case.
2019-11-23
hi gyl!yung DFA authenticated birth certificate and cenomar dito mo na din ba sa pinas kinuha?
2019-11-27
hi Ria,
Yes, I got it from Philippines.
2019-11-04
Hi,
Binabalik ba ng Philippine Embassy yung original birth certificate and CENOMAR when they mail you back the LCCM?
2019-11-04
Hi,
Binabalik ba ng Philippine Embassy yung original birth certificate and CENOMAR when they mail you back the LCCM?
2019-11-27
hi Klara,
Actually, i prepared the DFA authenticated PSA and Cenomar but during that time, they didn’t get them.
They only took the original PSA and Cenomar.
2019-11-15
Thanks for your post! But how about your visa after getting married? How was the process from tourist to spouse?
2019-11-27
Hi Anne,
After getting married in Japan, we are still living in the Philippines. So I haven’t processed getting my Residence Card yet. When I do, I’ll make post here in blog soon! (Probably by next year)
2019-11-18
Hi! Does it okay if i only have 15 days tourist visa to get married?
2019-11-26
Hi Metis!
Based on my experience alone, it takes 5 weeks to complete the entire process.
1. Getting a “Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage” and an “Affidavit of Civil Status” at the Embassy = 10 working days.
2. Getting the Marriage Certificate and other documents from a Japanese City Hall = 5 working days.
3. Reporting your Marriage back to Phil. Embassy requires personal appearance of both parties then waiting for your final documents = 10 working days.
2019-12-16
Hi, My fiance has previous marriage in the Philippines but divorced in Japan, is it valid if we get married even if his past marriage in Philippines is not yet annulled?
2020-01-18
Hi Ellaine,
I understand that this is very important to you but I’m sorry to say that I cannot answer your question. It might be best that you consult with a lawyer from both countries. You may also go to your City Hall directly and tell them your concern or ask thru the Phil. Embassy website using their “Feed Back / Inquiry Form (just type this on the search box).
I hope for the best.
2020-01-19
Okay thank you so much
2019-12-22
Hello! 🙂 I just want to ask about if the PSA birth cert and cenomar should I get 6 sets? 3 for the DFA to have it authenticated and 3 extra original copies for LCCM and other things or just 3 of each will do? Thank you.
2020-01-18
Hello Cherry,
I got 3 PSA Birth Certificates and 3 Cenomars.
—Used 1 Birth cert and 1 cenomar to be Red Ribboned.
—Used 1 Birth Cert and 1 cenomar as LCCM requirements with the red ribboned ones.
—Remaining 1 Birth cert and 1 cenomar as just in case documents.
I hope this made it simpler for you.
2020-01-02
Good day maam seperate po ba yung psa birthcertificate sa Dfa Red ribbon birthcertificate ??
2020-01-18
Hello Karen,
Yes, the PSA Birth Cert. is different from a Red Ribboned Birth Cert.
In my case, I got 3 PSA Birth Certificates and 3 Cenomars.
—Used 1 Birth cert and 1 cenomar to be Red Ribboned.
—Used 1 Birth Cert and 1 cenomar as LCCM requirements.
—Remaining 1 Birth cert and 1 cenomar as back-up.
I hope this helps you.
2020-01-12
How long did you stay in japan to process all the documents?
2020-01-16
Hello, Ria! Yes po. Sa Pinas ko lahat kinuha. Apostille yung tawag nila for DFA authentication.
2020-01-16
Ask ko lang po, nakakalito yung Konin Todoke no kisai Jiko Shomeisho. When we requested it from the Municipality hall, photocopies yung bingay sa amin ng mga docs na naisubmit namin when we got married po. Same din po ba yung sa inyo? I thought it’s a piece of paper with a seal po.
Also, if hindi po makapagreport ng marriage sa phil-emb within 30 days, mas magiging complicated po kaya? My visa is expiring soon pero wala parin yung new Koseki tohon. I’m worried of the possible sanction if we cannot report within 30days after getting married.
2020-01-18
Don’t worry, City Hall only gives a “photocopy” of any document. That is already equivalent as an original copy.
If you are late to register, you only need to fill up a document called Affidavit for Delayed Registration of Marriage. This can be downloaded at the Phil. Embassy Website or requested at the Embassy Office. And then submit this together with the original requirements.
2020-01-21
Hi po ma’am sobrang nakakatulong po yung ginawa nyo
may plano po kasi kaming magpakasal ng japanese girlfriend ko, yung 1st plan po namin dito po mag papakasal sa pampanga pero nung nabasa ko po yung ginawa nyo sinabi ko po sa g.f ko na ako nlng pupunta sa japan para magpakasal doon.
Question ko po ay, pagtapos po namin magpakasal sa japan kailangan papo ba namin ulit magpakasal dito sa philippines?
Thank you so much po sa mga informations.
2020-08-24
Hi!
No, you don’t. When you do Step 3 (report marriage back to the Phil Embassy), you are registering your marriage in Philippines too. That’s why you can get a Marriage Certificate from the Philippines Statistics Authority later.
You can see my other article about how to get the Marriage Certificate faster: https://little-mama-japan.com/how-to-get-marriage-certificate/
2020-01-21
Hi Little Mama!
Is there an option na mapadali Ang request Ng LCCM. My American fiancé only gets 3 weeks leave Kasi.
2020-08-24
Hi!
As far as I know, Philippine Embassy doesn’t accept rapid requests.
2020-01-27
Hello ma’am.
Ask lang ko wala naka nag submit ug affidavit of parental advice?
2020-08-24
Hi!
I didn’t need too pass that since I was already above the age bracket of 18-25 yrs old when we did our marriage.
2020-02-01
Hello po. My fiancé has no passport, is it required for him to get a japanese passport ?
2020-08-24
Hi!
In the Phil Embassy website, they wrote “Passport or Any Valid I.D. with Picture”
2020-02-06
hindi na po ba kailangan ng Japanese translation sa mga documents po?
2020-08-24
Hi!
Your passport information page needs translation for Step 2.
2020-02-17
Hi there ask ko lang if nagpa translate pa kayo ng birthcertificate mo to nihonggo?
2020-08-24
No i didn’t.
2020-02-18
Hello Good day! ask ko lng po if ever to 24 pa po kailangan po ba nang parents advice? and if ever po patay na po yung mom ko? ano po ba yung process ms. thank you.
2020-08-24
Hi!
I dont know the process for your situation. But please check the Tokyo embassy website for more info: https://tokyo.philembassy.net/consular-section/services/civil-registration/legal-capacity-to-contract-marriage-certification/
2020-03-15
Hi. Ask ko ln po yung sa part na mag request para mabilisan yung pag release galing sa municipal hall. May bayad ba if mag rerequest?
2020-08-24
Hi!
In my case, there was no fee for that request. We just explained our situation to the staff and he was kind enough to process it in only 2 days.
2020-03-24
Thank you for sharing your experience! Ang laking tulong talaga. Sana ganyan din ka smooth process ng sakin.
2020-08-24
I hope things will go smoothly for you!
2020-04-14
Hi! I’m also from Cebu. My fiance’s a japanese citizen and wants us to get married in japan. I have no travel history yet.
-Am I required to learn japanese language first before getting married there?
– Is it easier if we get married here in the Phils first?
– What if mag exceed sa 30 days yung process? 🙁
2020-08-24
Hi Deanne!
– No, it is not required. You will be speaking to Filipinos in the Phil Embassy and your fiance can talk to the people at City Hall.
– Actually, that depends on you and your situation. Try to search the steps needed to get married in the Philippines and see if it’s doable. In my case, I found that it was easier in Japan since I was going there anyway.
– If you were able to process until Step 3 (Reporting your marriage to the Phil Embassy), then it is perfectly fine for you to go home to Philippines. Your documents will be mailed to your fiance’s japan address.
2020-05-01
Hi po, Yung binigay nyo po ba sa embassy sa Japan for the LCCM di po Yun red ribbon? As of now Kasi Yung pinared ribbon ko on process pa sa dfa manila naabutan pa Ng lockdown.
Ask ko Lang Kung necessary ba na red ribbon and ipasa ko sa embassy for LCCM?
Need your response badly.
2020-08-24
Hi!
I’m sorry for the late reply.
In my case, I brought the red ribboned documents but the Embassy didn’t take them at that time. They only took the normal PSA and Cenomar.
2020-06-02
did you guys get married in the philippines as well? or just here in japan?
2020-08-24
Hi!
We only married once, and that was in Japan.
2020-06-05
You’re a life saver. ❤️ I would like to ask how long would it take to process the visa? Do I need bring my fiance with me since he is my sponsor for my stay there?
2020-08-24
Hi!
In my case, the agency where I apply for my visa usually just takes 1 week.
If you’re nervous, you can definitely bring your fiance during the application.
But as long as you have the complete required documents, then you can do it yourself.
2020-06-06
Hi! Thanks for this info, it helps a lot. Pero ask ko lang if meron bang validation date or expiration yung DFA authenticated PSA & cenomar? If meron ilang months po?
2020-08-24
Hi!
As far as I know, The Red Ribbon document is valid for 1 year. Please double check.
2020-07-17
Need po bang ipatranslate to nihongo ang birth cert at cenomar?
2020-08-24
Hi!
No need since you will just pass them to the Philippine Embassy to get the LCCM.
2020-07-27
Hi ask ko lang ng mag apply ka ng Visa sa japan embassy anong reason ang sinabi mo para ma approve ang 1 month Visa mo sa japan?
2020-08-24
Hi!
In my case, I was only given a 2 week VISA for my 1st and 2nd visit to Japan. This is very common for first time travelers.
On my third visit, I just wrote Vacation and to see my boyfriend’s family for “Purpose of Visit to Japan” and 28 days for “Intended length of Stay in Japan” on the VISA APPLICATION FORM. And I got a 30 days visa.
2020-07-27
Hi! Super helpful po tong post na to. Ask ko lang din sana & linawin ko kung yung translation of passport & marriage registration form is makukuha sa city hall?
2020-08-24
Hi!
In my case, those two forms can be acquired from our City Hall.