My wife and I (US National) got married in the USA a few years back. We had no intention of moving to Japan originally, thus never reported the marriage to Japan. My MIL even said there was no point, too. I mention this just because the Embassy states it should be reported within 3 months. Anyway I am getting transferred to my company’s Japanese office. We decided we should just update the Koseki with the marriage, on the off chance I get laid off and we want to continue staying in Japan under a Spousal Visa.
We talked to the Embassy near us. They gave us a packet of things we need to fill out along with templates and such specifically for the updating notice of existing marriage outside of Japan. No where in this packet did it mention about the “Affidavit of Competency to Marry”. They also told us, since we will be visiting Japan soon to look for places, just file it in person to save time.
All the documentation I have been finding assumes you are not married yet. We have everything already filled out in duplicates, translations of everything, as well as multiple copies of all documents needed to be safe. We are just hung up on this Affidavit part. So our questions:
1. Do we need to get the Affidavit of Competency if we are already married in the USA?
2. If we do need this, can it be done by any local US state notary, or it has to be done by the US Embassy in Japan specifically?
Edit:
Solved/Answers: No it is not needed as we are already married. It is only for non-married. Also, there may be a fine, bring money.
by Lulizarti
