If I marry a Japanese national in US, will it be a legal marriage in Japan? I am US citizen.

[penelope66 0]

I have called and called, and looked and looked, and I haven't got a straight answer to my question. I hope someone can help. I am very recently divorced in U.S., (please don't judge me, very horrible thing to go through, I tried), I will be marrying a Japanese national, but we cannot marry until six months have past since my divorce, a very unfair law because it only applies to divorced women, not men in Japan. The thing is, we don't want to wait six months, we thought that maybe he could come to here to U.S., we get married, register our marriage at Japanese consulate, then he leaves very soon after, within a couple of days, or however long it takes to get married, then register. We have NO intention of living in the US, he has home, job, car, ect. I have called embassies, city halls, japan visa office, no one has a straight answer. I asked on yahoo questions, and was told that we can marry here, but it wont be legal in Japan until I wait the six months and then marry there. Also, I can't have children anymore, I had surgery in 2006, and that is no longer possible, I mention this because the six month law is in case there is a pregnancy in between marriages. I'm so sorry this is so long, I just want to make sure I haven't missed anything.

One more question, what if I go there 3 months after the date of my divorce? That way I will have three months as a tourist, and then get married. Does that make sense? (Wait in US 3 months after divorce, then go to Japan and wait three months (allowed time as tourist) and get married right before my passport says I have to leave? Also, I want to take my kids when I go. We have found out for sure from his city office that we must wait six months. Seems there should be a waiver if you can prove you can't have kids, or they should do pregnancy testing!(I have been to Japan before to visit him)

Sorry for so many questions, thank you for your help!

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

**** Moving from K1 fiance visa to Asia- East as question is pertaining to Japanese law, not US immigration ****

OP, this website is focused on US immigration. From that point of view, I can tell you that it is ok for him to come on the visa waiver or a tourist visa and to get married- in places like Las Vegas it can be done very quickly. However, whether this marriage will be legal in Japan is q question for Japanese authorities. I suspect it is not valid due to the 6 months rule, unless you are both legally resident in the USA, which he would not be.

[Sandra G. 5,048]

You are right. The Japan Civil Code Article 733 states:(1) A woman may not remarry until after six months from the day the

dissolution or annulment of her prior marriage have passed". You can get marriage in the USA, but your marriage won't be valid made valid in Japan if you don't wait

the six-month waiting period, because Japan just recognize legally married in accordance with Japanese law.

This rule can be waived when the woman cannot have more kids. Call the "family register section" where your fiance lives and ask them how to submit the waiver, or if you prefer get this information with the Japan Consulate in your area or with the Embassy of Japan in the USA.

[penelope66 0]

**** Moving from K1 fiance visa to Asia- East as question is pertaining to Japanese law, not US immigration ****

OP, this website is focused on US immigration. From that point of view, I can tell you that it is ok for him to come on the visa waiver or a tourist visa and to get married- in places like Las Vegas it can be done very quickly. However, whether this marriage will be legal in Japan is q question for Japanese authorities. I suspect it is not valid due to the 6 months rule, unless you are both legally resident in the USA, which he would not be.

Thank you so much for taking time to read my question!

Thank you so much for taking time to read my question!

I noticed that reply from me seems rude, i didn't mean it to be, I really appriciate your help with my problem.

[penelope66 0]

You are right. The Japan Civil Code Article 733 states:(1) A woman may not remarry until after six months from the day the

dissolution or annulment of her prior marriage have passed". You can get marriage in the USA, but your marriage won't be valid made valid in Japan if you don't wait

the six-month waiting period, because Japan just recognize legally married in accordance with Japanese law.

This rule can be waived when the woman cannot have more kids. Call the "family register section" where your fiance lives and ask them how to submit the waiver, or if you prefer get this information with the Japan Consulate in your area or with the Embassy of Japan in the USA.

Thank you so much! How did you find this information? I have searched everywhere. This is great news for us, and I am grateful to you for taking the time. Thank you again.

[penelope66 0]

I will let everyone know how this works out, since it's Saturday in Japan, he will have to call his town's city register office monday. Hope we can do the waiver! Thanks everyone who has read.