How to Marry a Japanese Citizen as a German Citizen

    Hello, everyone! Today I want to share with you my experience of marrying a Japanese citizen as a German citizen. As you may know, getting married in Germany is not as simple as in some other countries, especially if you or your partner is from outside the EU. There are many documents and procedures involved, and it can be quite confusing and stressful. So I hope this blog post will help you understand what you need to do and how to prepare for your big day.

## Step 1: Apply at the registrar's office (Standesamt)

The first thing you need to do is to apply for your marriage at the registrar's office (Standesamt) where either you or your partner is registered. You need to do this at least several months before your planned wedding date, because it can take some time to process your application and approve your documents. You also need to make an appointment in advance, and both of you have to attend the appointment in person.

At the appointment, they will explain the process and the exact documents you need to submit. This may vary depending on your personal situation, your nationality, and how your federal state (Bundesland) interprets the law. You may also need to have your documents translated into German by a certified translator. The total cost of the application can range from 60 to 600 euros, depending on the complexity of your case.

The documents you might need include:

- Valid ID, such as a passport or identity card (not a driving licence)

- Birth certificate (issued in the last six months), original or certified true copy showing parents' names

- Certificate of no impediment to marriage (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis), which you can obtain from your local mission or embassy

- Income certificate (Einkommensbescheinigung), which you can get from your employer, or fill out yourself and have signed by an accountant if you are self-employed

- If you are widowed, original (or certified copy) death certificate of your deceased spouse

- If you are divorced, a certified copy of the divorce decree. If the marriage was not dissolved by a German court, the divorce decree might have to be approved by the authorities in Germany; you may also have to get a statement from the court who granted the divorce testifying that it cannot be contested

- If either of you is a minor, a statement executed by a legal representative (parent or guardian) before a notary public, giving consent

Once you have submitted all your documents and had them approved, you must get married within six months or risk having to start the process over again.

## Step 2: Get married at the registrar's office (Standesamt)

The next step is to get married at the registrar's office (Standesamt) where you applied for your marriage. You need to book a date and time for your ceremony, which usually lasts about 20 minutes. You can invite up to 10 guests, depending on the size of the room. You can also choose to have music, flowers, and decorations for an extra fee.

At the ceremony, you and your partner will exchange rings and say "yes" to each other in front of the registrar and two witnesses. The registrar will then declare you legally married and give you a marriage certificate (Heiratsurkunde). Congratulations, you are now husband and wife!

## Step 3: Register your marriage in Japan

If you want to register your marriage in Japan as well, you need to do some additional steps. First, you need to get an apostille for your German marriage certificate from the regional court (Landgericht) where you got married. An apostille is a special stamp that certifies that a document is authentic and valid in other countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

Next, you need to translate your German marriage certificate into Japanese by a certified translator. Then, you need to submit both documents to the Japanese embassy or consulate in Germany, or directly to the local government office (Kuyakusho) in Japan where your partner is registered. They will then issue you a Japanese marriage certificate (Kon-in Todoke Juri Shomeisho).

Finally, you need to update your family register (Koseki) in Japan by submitting a copy of your Japanese marriage certificate and filling out an application form. This will officially record your marriage in Japan and change your marital status.

## Tips and advice

Here are some tips and advice that I learned from my experience of marrying a Japanese citizen as a German citizen:

- Start the process as early as possible, because it can take a long time to gather all the documents and get them approved

- Check the websites of the registrar's office (Standesamt), the regional court (Landgericht), and the Japanese embassy or consulate for the latest information and requirements

- Make copies of all your documents and keep them in a safe place

- Be patient and flexible, because there might be delays or changes along the way

- Enjoy your wedding day and celebrate your love!

I hope this blog post was helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day!