【Explaining a Simple Question!】Does Nationality Change After an International Marriage?
International marriages have been increasing in Japan recently. Unlike marriages between Japanese nationals, international marriages require several procedures. Many people also wonder what happens to nationality after an international marriage. Here, we explain nationality after an international marriage.
What is an International Marriage?
An international marriage is when people of different nationalities marry. When a Japanese national and a foreign national marry internationally, the following procedures are required.
First, prepare the marriage registration form, family register (for the Japanese spouse), passports, and Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage.
Fill in the required details on the Marriage Registration Form, including the couple’s addresses, names, dates of birth, and the addresses, names, and dates of birth of two witnesses. Additionally, seals (hanko) from the couple and the witnesses (four seals total) are required.
The Family Register Extract can be obtained in person at the municipal office of the spouse’s registered domicile. If the domicile is distant, it can be requested by mail or other means. Foreign nationals do not have a family register, so a Family Register Extract is not required.
If the foreign spouse resides in Japan, proof of nationality is required, so a passport is necessary. The Japanese spouse also needs photo identification such as a driver’s license or My Number Card, or a passport.
The Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage is a document proving the foreign spouse is single and legally eligible to marry under their home country’s laws. It can be obtained from the foreign spouse’s country’s embassy or consulate in Japan.
What happens to nationality?
Even after an international marriage, neither spouse’s nationality changes; it remains the same. However, if the Japanese spouse is female, certain procedures may be required depending on the male spouse’s nationality.
For example, if a Japanese woman marries a man from France, Thailand, etc., the man retains his nationality. The Japanese woman, if she wishes to keep her Japanese nationality, does not need to take any special action. However, if she wishes to change to her husband’s nationality, she must complete a “Declaration of Intent” procedure. Note that if she changes to the husband’s nationality through this procedure, the Japanese woman will lose her Japanese nationality.
Furthermore, if a Japanese woman marries a man from countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, or Ethiopia, the husband’s nationality remains unchanged, but the Japanese woman acquires her husband’s nationality through marriage. In this case, the Japanese woman holds dual nationality and must submit a “Declaration of Nationality Selection” within two years of marriage to choose one nationality.
Post-Marriage Procedures
As explained, the nationality of a foreign spouse generally remains unchanged after an international marriage. Furthermore, a foreign spouse married to a Japanese national can apply for and obtain a “Spouse Visa.” Holding this status of residence fundamentally removes employment restrictions, unlike other statuses.
However, if a foreign spouse married to a Japanese national wishes to acquire Japanese nationality, they must apply for naturalization. If this application is approved, they can live as a Japanese citizen.
Summary
When a Japanese man marries a foreign woman, their nationality does not change, so no special procedures are required. However, when a foreign man marries a Japanese woman, procedures may be necessary depending on the man’s nationality.
