2025-07-17

Japan is dotted with many U.S. military bases. As a result, many Japanese people marry military personnel internationally. Here, we will explain the procedures for marrying a military person, as well as his/her nationality and family register after marriage.

Before the Marriage Procedure

The procedure for a Japanese national marrying an American serviceman residing in Japan differs from that for a Japanese national marrying a non-military person.

First, the military person must go through the same procedures. The first step is for the military personnel to obtain permission from the military to marry, and as a prerequisite, they must attend a “Marriage Seminar” held on base.

To attend, call the Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) in advance to make an appointment. Japanese nationals who will be married to military personnel are obligated to attend the seminar, but in most cases, they will attend together with their military personnel for the sake of their future married life. After attending the Marriage Seminar, a Certificate of Participation will be issued at the end of the seminar.

Submission of Required Documents

Next, you will need to obtain permission from the U.S. military side. The following documents are to be submitted to the Legal Office on the base.

・Authorization to Marry (issued at the time of marriage seminar)

・Certificate of Attendance" for the marriage seminar

・ Proof of nationality (passport or birth certificate)

・ Health certificates of both parties (issued within the last 6 months)

・Statement acknowledging possible ineligibility for nonquota immigration visa

(Issued at the time of the marriage seminar)

・A certificate of divorce or death certifying the dissolution of marriage (if the applicant has been married before)

・A copy of family register and its English translation (if the applicant has Japanese nationality)

・A letter of consent from parents or guardian (if the applicant is a minor)

If the above documents are complete, the Legal Office will issue an “Affidavit of Competency to Marry”.

Procedures and nationality at the Japanese municipal office

Then, submit the following documents to the municipal office of your place of residence or legal domicile. If the documents are written in English, a Japanese translation must be attached.

・Marriage registration form (all in Japanese, if you have any questions, please check with the municipal office in advance)

・Identification documents of both parties (proof of nationality)

・Affidavit of Competency to Marry

・A copy of the family register (for Japanese nationals only, but not required if the marriage will take place at the place of permanent domicile)

・A certificate of divorce or death certifying the dissolution of marriage (if the applicant has been married before)

・Consent of parents or guardian (if the applicant is a minor)

Please note that a Japanese national’s nationality does not change just because he or she marries an American serviceman. Conversely, if an American serviceman marries a Japanese, his/her nationality remains the same.

However, even if a Japanese marries a foreigner, the foreigner’s family register will not be created, but the fact of the marriage with the foreigner (name, date of birth, nationality) will be entered in the family register of the Japanese spouse.

In addition, the Japanese person’s name in the family register does not change even if married to a foreigner. However, if you wish to change your family name to that of your foreign spouse, you must file a “Notification of Change of Family Name” within 6 months of the date of marriage.

Summary

Unlike regular international marriages, marriages with military personnel require permission from the military first. Thereafter, as in a normal international marriage, the necessary documents are submitted to the municipal office of the place of residence or domicile of origin. Although the nationality of both parties does not change as a result of international marriage, the fact that the couple has been married internationally will be entered in the family register of the Japanese national.