【Experts Explain Straightforwardly!】What Happens to Nationality After an International Marriage?
International marriages are increasing in Japan recently. Unlike marriages between Japanese nationals, international marriages require several procedures. Some people may wonder, especially, what happens to nationality after an international marriage.
What is an International Marriage?
When a Japanese national marries a foreign national in Japan, the following procedures are required:
First, you must prepare a Marriage Registration Form, a Family Register Transcript, passports, and a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage.
Marriage Registration Forms are available at municipal offices. Fill in the bride and groom’s addresses, names, and dates of birth, along with the addresses, names, and dates of birth of two witnesses. Additionally, the seals of the bride, groom, and witnesses are required.
If the family register copy is not from the municipal office where you plan to submit the marriage registration, you must obtain it by mail or other means from the municipal office of your registered domicile. Foreign nationals do not have a family register to begin with, so a family register copy is not required.
If the foreign national resides in Japan, proof of nationality is necessary. For this purpose, a passport is required. Japanese nationals also need a passport if they do not possess photo identification such as a driver’s license or My Number Card.
Furthermore, a Certificate of Eligibility for Marriage is a document proving that a foreign national is single and legally permitted to marry under their home country’s laws. This can be obtained from the embassy or consulate of the foreign national’s country in Japan.
What happens to nationality?
When a Japanese national and a foreign national marry, neither party’s nationality changes. In other words, their nationality remains the same as before.
However, if a Japanese woman marries a foreign national, procedures may be required depending on the man’s country of origin.
For example, if a Japanese woman marries a man from France, Thailand, etc., the man retains his nationality. If the Japanese woman wishes to keep her Japanese nationality, no procedures are necessary. However, if she wishes to change to her husband’s nationality, she must complete a “Declaration of Intent” procedure. While this allows her to change to the husband’s nationality, it results in the loss of her Japanese nationality.
Furthermore, when a Japanese woman marries a man from countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, or Ethiopia, the man retains his nationality. However, the Japanese woman automatically acquires the nationality of her spouse’s country upon marriage. At this point, she holds dual nationality. Since Japan does not recognize dual nationality, she must submit a “Declaration of Nationality Selection” within two years of marriage to choose one nationality.
Changing Nationality After Marriage
Marrying internationally does not change the nationality of the foreign spouse. Foreign nationals married to Japanese citizens can obtain a “Spouse Visa.” This residence status, unlike others, removes restrictions on employment.
Foreign nationals married to Japanese citizens who wish to acquire Japanese nationality must apply for naturalization. If approved, they can live as Japanese citizens.
Summary
When a Japanese man marries a foreign woman, no specific nationality-related procedures are required. However, when a foreign man marries a Japanese woman, procedures may be necessary depending on the man’s nationality.
