Best Timing for Registering Marriage and Naturalization Application
If you are marrying a Japanese citizen, you may wonder when you should apply for naturalization and whether it is better to do so before or after marriage. This topic is about international marriage and naturalization application, the requirements for naturalization application (normal naturalization) and the timing for naturalization application and marriage registration.
International Marriage and Naturalization Application
When you marry a Japanese citizen, you are entering into an international marriage. However, it is not necessary to apply for naturalization immediately.
However, even if you have entered into an international marriage, you can only apply for naturalization if you meet certain conditions set by law. Before you can register your marriage, you must also gather a number of documents.
A foreigner living in Japan can acquire Japanese citizenship by marrying a Japanese citizen and passing the examination for the naturalization application.
Depending on the nationality of the spouse, there are cases where you can automatically acquire the nationality of the spouse.
This applies to countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan.
On the other hand, depending on the country, it may be possible to acquire the citizenship of the other partner through simple procedures.
Requirements for naturalization application (normal naturalization)
- Residency requirement
You must have lived in Japan continuously for more than 5 years.
- Eligibility requirement
Applicants must be at least 20 years old and have reached the age of majority in both their home country and Japan. However, minors may apply if they are naturalized together with their parents.
- Good behaviour
This requirement includes good conduct, no criminal record, tax violations, traffic violations, and no participation in anti-social activities.
- Livelihood requirement
You must be able to support yourself or with the help of your spouse or other relatives with whom you live.
- Citizenship requirement
The loss of another citizenship when acquiring Japanese citizenship. However, in some cases, this requirement may be relaxed if circumstances make it impossible to renounce citizenship.
- Ideological requirement
No intention to destroy the Japanese government by violence or to join a gang or terrorist organization.
Japanese language proficiency
A Japanese language proficiency test will be administered during the naturalization application review process if Japanese language proficiency is determined to be insufficient at the time of the interview with the Legal Affairs Bureau official.
The residency requirement may be relaxed for foreign nationals married to a Japanese citizen.
To apply for naturalization, you must contact the Legal Affairs Bureau/District Legal Affairs Bureau that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. If the applicant is 15 years of age or older, they must apply directly to the Legal Affairs Bureau/District Legal Affairs Bureau.
Timing for naturalization and marriage registration
If a foreigner marries a Japanese citizen before naturalization, it is considered an international marriage.
Therefore, it is necessary to obtain a certificate of legal capacity from the embassy or consulate in Japan and register the marriage in both countries through a complicated procedure.
However, if you are married to a Japanese citizen and have a child whose date of birth is before the parent’s naturalization, the child can acquire Japanese citizenship.
On the other hand, if you marry a Japanese citizen after your naturalization application has been approved, the procedure is the same as for marriage between Japanese citizens, which is relatively simple.
Summary
When you marry a Japanese citizen, you are entering into an international marriage. However, it is not necessary to apply for naturalization immediately.
However, you must obtain a certificate of legal capacity from the embassy or consulate in Japan and register the marriage in both countries.
If you have a child and are married to a Japanese person at the time of the child’s birth before naturalization, the child can acquire Japanese citizenship.
On the other hand, if you marry a Japanese person after your naturalization application has been approved, the procedure is the same as for a marriage between Japanese people, so it is relatively simple.