Navigating Marriage Procedures in Japan for Filipinos: A Step-by-Step Guide
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There are two options for a Filipino when planning to get married in Japan. If a Filipino is intending to marry a Filipino national, both must apply for a Marriage License (ML) at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate. On the other hand, if a Filipino is intending to marry a foreign national, both must apply for a Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (LCCM) at the same office.
Marriage License vs. Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage
This certificate is issued to Filipino couples who wish to have a civil wedding at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in Japan.
This certificate is issued to a Filipino national who wishes to marry a foreign national, and it can only be used at a Japanese city hall where the couple will register their marriage.
Note: Only Filipino couples are allowed to have a civil wedding at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
Requirements for Marriage License and Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage
If you are a Filipino intending to apply for either an ML or an LCCM at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in Japan, here are the required documents that you must prepare:
Importance of applying for a Marriage License or a Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage
It is advisable for Filipinos to apply for an ML or LCCM at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate before getting married in Japan to ensure that their marriage is valid and legitimate.
There have been cases where couples who registered their marriages at a Japanese city hall without obtaining an LCCM encountered difficulties in registering their marriage at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate. This is because some of them had valid marriages in the Philippines with previous partners that had not been dissolved by a legitimate court in the Philippines.
Where to apply for a Marriage License or Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage
For Filipinos in Japan, below are the offices where one can get the certificates for marriage application:
- Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines – Tokyo, Japan
- Philippine Consulate General – Nagoya, Japan
- Philippine Consulate General – Osaka, Japan
Applying for marriage abroad can be a daunting task that requires gathering various documents and completing extensive paperwork. However, with proper research and planning, you can make the process much easier and less stressful.
Additionally, consider downloading and registering with the Smiles App, which offers a hassle-free way to send money from Japan to the Philippines with the highest exchange rates and no hidden charges. By taking advantage of these resources, you can streamline the process and focus on enjoying your upcoming nuptials.
About Smiles Mobile Remittance
Smiles Mobile Remittance is considered the No. 1 mobile remittance app in Japan and was honored with the Good Design Award in 2021 for its exceptional design and functionality. Its primary goal is to provide fast and reliable remittance services to migrant workers worldwide. Furthermore, it also aims to help alleviate the lives of impoverished communities in countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia through its participation in donation drives and community-building activities (read about Digital Wallet’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Activities).
