It does not matter which side of the marriage process you choose, Japan or Sri Lanka.

However, due to the number of documents to be submitted and the complexity of the requirements, it is advisable that the Sri Lankan side should take care of the formalities first.

The duration of stay in Sri Lanka for the marriage formalities is about one week.
Sri Lanka is a country where it is relatively easy to get married to a non-Sri Lankan.

Unless you are unable to travel to Sri Lanka due to work commitments or other reasons, it is better to complete the Sri Lankan formalities first than to complete the Japanese formalities.

Here is a guide to the process of getting married to a Sri Lankan.

If the marriage is to be performed from the Sri Lankan side

(1) Request and obtain a copy of the family register from the local office of the Japanese person.
(2) The certified copy of the family register should be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This can be done either in Tokyo or Osaka.

Tokyo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Bldg. 1F, 2-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Consular Service Center, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Certification Section
Osaka: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Osaka Branch Office, 4-1-76, Otemae 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

(3) Have the “Certified Copy of Family Register” obtained in (2) above authenticated by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan.

Go to Sri Lanka and have your “Certified Copy of Family Register” certified by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan.

(4)The applicant will be required to travel to Sri Lanka and have the English “Marriage Certificate” and “Birth Certificate” prepared at the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka based on the “Certified Copy of Family Register”. The certificate will be issued on the next working day after the date of application.

If you are a Japanese national who has been divorced or bereaved, you will also need to have a divorce or death certificate prepared at this time.

If the Japanese person has been divorced or bereaved, the divorce/death certificate should also be produced at this time. Alternatively, the applicant can obtain a Marriage Certificate from the Legal Affairs Bureau in Japan, have it attested by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan and have it issued by the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka.

Documents required for preparation

Documents required by Japanese nationals

  • Application form (available at the Embassy)
  • A certified copy of the family register (certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan and issued within the last 3 months)
  • If the applicant has been married in the past, all documents showing the marital status
  • Original passport

Required documents for Sri Lankan nationals

  • A certified copy of the birth certificate of the Sri Lankan national
  • A copy of the birth certificate issued by the Divisional Secretariats of Sri Lanka.
  • (In the case of a minor) a letter of consent for marriage from a legal representative (e.g. parents)
(5) The couple should appear at the local registration office of the proposed place of marriage to apply for registration of the marriage and obtain a ‘Marriage Certificate’.

Documents required for preparation

Documents required for Japanese nationals
All documents in Japanese must be translated and authenticated.

  • Original passport (a copy of the photo and stamp page is also required)
  • Two certified photographs (passport size, colour)
  • The original copy of your marriage certificate and birth certificate.

If you have been divorced or bereaved, you will also need a divorce/death certificate at this time.
Japanese nationals are required to stay in Sri Lanka for a minimum of 4 days before applying for marriage registration. However, if special permission is granted by the local registration office, the marriage certificate can be issued on the same day.

Required documents to be prepared by Sri Lankan nationals

  • Original copy of passport to be presented
  • Two certified photographs (passport size, colour)
  • An original copy of the birth certificate
(6) Get the “Marriage Certificate” authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, which you applied for registration in (5).
(7) Submit the following documents to the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka or to the Municipal Office in Japan.

If you wish to obtain a spouse visa to live in Japan with a Sri Lankan immediately, please submit the application at the Japanese municipal office. If you apply at the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka, it is likely to take two to three months for your marriage to be reflected in the family register.

Documents to be submitted

Japanese nationals need to prepare the following documents

  • Two copies of the Marriage Registration Form (available at the Embassy) (three copies if the registered domicile of the couple changes before or after the marriage)
  • One original and one photocopy of the family register (two originals and one photocopy if the registered domicile changes before or after the marriage)
  • Proof of identity (e.g. driving licence)
  • Personal seal

Required documents for Sri Lankan nationals

A Japanese translation of the documents is also required.

  • Certified copy of birth certificate (issued by the local registration office in Sri Lanka) – 1 original and 1 copy (2 originals and 1 copy in case of change of domicile before and after marriage)
  • Marriage certificate (issued by the local registration office in Sri Lanka) – one original and one copy (if your domicile changes before or after the marriage)
  • Two originals and one copy)
  • One copy of the Marriage Certificate (or three copies if the domicile of the applicant changes before or after the marriage)

If the marriage formalities are carried out from Japan

(1) Obtain a Marriage Certificate from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan.

This is basically for Sri Lankan nationals living in Japan (on a medium to long term visa such as work visa or college student visa). However, there are cases where a short stay visa can also be issued, so please check with the Sri Lankan Embassy in your country.
The application window is open only on weekday mornings. The visa will be issued on the day of application, but may be issued on the following day depending on how busy the office is.

Documents required to obtain a visa

Documents required for Japanese nationals

  • Passport
  • A copy of your family register and a certificate of legal capacity to marry.

An English translation prepared by an accredited translator is required. There are no certified translators in Japan, but the Sri Lankan Embassy in Tokyo can provide you with a translation.
If you have been divorced, you will need to submit a Certificate of Acceptance of Divorce (also translated into English).

How to get your “Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry” attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Once you have obtained a “Certificate of Legal Capacity to Perform Marriage” from the Legal Affairs Bureau, you can have it certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can either bring the certificate in person or apply for it by post. The difference is that if you bring the certificate in person, you will receive it the next day, whereas if you send it by post, it will take 10 days to 2 weeks. Therefore, if you are in a hurry, it is better to apply in person.

Documents you will need

  • Application form (downloadable from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)
  • Certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage (issued by the Ministry of Justice)
  • Identification documents (driver’s licence, passport, etc.) * Over the counter application only
  • Envelope with return address (stamp attached) * Application by post If you apply over the counter and wish to return by post

Required documents for Sri Lankan nationals

  • Application form (available at the Embassy)
  • Passport or Residence Card of the Sri Lankan national
  • A certified copy of the Sri Lankan person’s birth certificate or certified copy of the birth certificate (official English translation of the document alone will not be accepted. The original document is also required)
  • Affidavit made by the Sri Lankan father or mother (or brother or sister in case of death) (document with QR code)

The document must be authenticated by a Sri Lankan lawyer and further authenticated by the Registrar of the Supreme Court or authenticated by a Sri Lankan Security Judge and further authenticated by the Ministry of Justice and then authenticated by the Consular Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka.
If the Sri Lankan has been divorced or bereaved, this must also be stated in the “Affidavit” and authenticated. It should also be stated that there is no legal impediment to the marriage.
In the case of divorce, you will also need to prepare a provisional divorce decree and a certified copy of the divorce decree issued by a local court accredited by the Consular Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In the case of bereavement, you must also prepare an original and certified copy of the death certificate.
If your parents are deceased, you will need to submit the birth certificates of your siblings and the original and certified copies of the death certificates of your parents.

(2) Submit the following documents to the municipal office in Japan.

Documents to be submitted

Required documents to be prepared by Japanese nationals

  • Marriage notification (document signed and sealed by two adult witnesses)
  • Identity verification document (driving licence, passport, etc.)
  • A copy of your family register (if your domicile of residence is not in your country of origin)

Required documents to be prepared by Sri Lankans

  • Certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage (with Japanese translation)
  • The certificate can be obtained from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Tokyo (or requested by post).
  • Birth Certificate (with Japanese translation and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka)
  • Passport or Residence Card (with Japanese translation)
  • In case of separation or death from a previous marriage, a divorce decree or death certificate (with Japanese translation and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka)
(3) After the marriage in Japan, the Sri Lankan will report the marriage to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan and obtain a “Marriage Certificate”.
(4) After the marriage in Japan, the Sri Lankan will report the marriage to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan and obtain a “Marriage Certificate”.

It is also possible to apply by post. If you wish to apply by post, you will need to send a stamped, self-addressed envelope and a letter (in English or Sri Lankan) stating that you wish to apply for a marriage certificate. It will take about a week to process your request.

Required documents

Documents required for Japanese nationals

  • A copy of the Japanese family register (showing the facts of the marriage, with English translation and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan) or a certificate of acceptance of the marriage notification (obtained from the office where the marriage notification was submitted)
  • Presentation of Japanese passport

Required documents for Sri Lankan nationals

  • Application form (available at the Embassy)
  • Sri Lankan passport
  • Two (2) witnesses’ passports and residence cards

One witness must be a Sri Lankan and the other witness can be a Sri Lankan or a Japanese national. If the Japanese person is a witness, he or she will be required to present his or her passport and driving licence.

This is a guide to the process of getting married to a Sri Lankan.
It is advisable to check with your local government office where you will be submitting your documents and where you will be obtaining your documents before proceeding with the marriage process, as there may be some changes.

We can assist you with the formalities of your international marriage to a Sri Lankan national.
Please do not hesitate to contact us.