Getting Married in Japan

Any person wishing to marry in Japan will do so in accordance with Japanese law. The law requires that any person wishing to get married in Japan must be 18 years of age or older for males and 16 years of age or older for females. A woman cannot contract marriage within 100 days of her divorce. Marriage must be registered at the local City/Ward Office. Ceremonies performed by religious bodies and customary marriages, are not considered legal marriages in Japan. The Consular officers at this Embassy cannot officiate marriages. Marriage registered at Japanese City/Ward office is considered legal marriage.

Japanese law requires that foreign nationals wishing to contract marriage in Japan are required to submit documents from their home country or Embassy confirming that they are eligible to marry. Before you proceed with your marriage it is advised that you contact the local City/Ward Office where you wish to register your proposed marriage for the required documents needed for the registration of the marriage

Attestation to marital status

A Ghanaian national residing in Japan and wishing to marry may apply for Marriage Attestation document (KoinYokenGubiShomeisho) at the Embassy in Tokyo.

The following documents are also required:

• An affidavit by parent/relative or a divorce certificate duly certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Accra, Ghana confirming that the applicant is single and of age.

• A valid passport.

• A passport size photograph of both applicant and fiancé.

• Documentary evidence of fiancé indicating that he/she is single. If the fiancé is a Japanese national, a certified copy of family register (KosekiShohon).

• If fiancé is neither a Ghanaian nor a Japanese, he/she must obtain a document form his/her home country or Embassy confirming that he/she is single.

• If fiancé is a Ghanaian, a separate sworn Affidavit by parent/relative or a divorce certificate duly certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Accra, Ghana confirming that he/she is single.

Fee: ¥6,000

Please note that all the documents required must be originals and in English. Documents in other languages must be submitted with certified English versions. The original documents will be returned to applicant after the processing.

Once the marriage procedures are completed at the City/Ward Office, you may be issued with a “Certificate of Acceptance of Marriage” (Kon-in JuriShomeisho) as a proof of your marriage.

In most cases this Embassy issues a document “Marriage Registration” confirming your marriage which is required when processing your spousal visa at the Immigration Bureau in Japan.

Applying for Marriage Registration at the Embassy, submit:

• A valid passport.

• Marriage certificate

• A passport size photograph of both applicant and fiancé

Fee: ¥4,800

Please note that all the documents required must be originals and in English. Documents in other languages must be submitted with certified English versions. The original documents will be returned to applicant after the processing.

It is important to register your child at your local City/Ward Office as soon as possible after the birth of the child. Please contact your local City/Ward Office for more information.

There is no “deadline” for the registration of birth at the Embassy; however, we advised that you do so as soon as possible because you may need to apply for a passport and a visa for your child where both parents are Ghanaian nationals.

Please note that all the documents required must be originals and in English. Documents in other languages must be submitted with certified English versions. The original documents will be returned to applicant after the processing.

Fee: ¥4,800

Before submitting any document issued in Ghana for Authentication/Certification at this Embassy, it must first be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Accra, Ghana.

Fee for authentication/certification of a document at the Embassy: ¥6,000

This Embassy does translation of limited documents.

The fee for translation is ¥6,000 per document.

CASH payments at the Embassy is not accepted under any circumstance. All Consular fees must be paid into Ghana Embassy’s Account and the receipt of payment be submitted with the application. CONSULAR FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE even if the application is not approved. Ensure that you pay the exact amount. Short payment may delay the processing of your application.

Below are the Embassy’s Bank Account details:

Account Name: GHANA EMBASSY

Bank Name: MITSUBISHI UFJ BANK, TOKYO

Account Number: 0514746

Branch: ROPPONGI (045)

Type of Accounts: Ordinary

Swift Code: BOTKJPJT