Japan - Post Marriage or Post Greencard Paperwork

[guidoanchovies 1]

Hi everyone,

After a long process of filling out paperwork and oh so much waiting, my wife and I are finally settled in the United States, married and with green card in hand! However we may have some additional paperwork...

My wife has heard that there is additional paperwork that needs to be filed standard within 6 months after marriage with the Japanese government as well as some other possible forms/documents that we may be required to complete to update the record offices of Japan. These may now require a lawyer due to being overdue. I believe this includes a surname change as well as wedding registration with proof of certificate. I know this forum is largely for the K-1 process, but with such a wide array of people here I thought maybe someone would be kind enough to share their experience with post-visa US Marriage to a Japanese citizen.

For reference:

December 2015 - K-1 Visa acquired

January 2016 - Marriage completed with certificate

March 2016 - Permanent Residence paperwork filed

June 2016 - Request for further evidence

November 2016 - Green Card arrival

Future:

January 2017 - US Social Security Name Change

Any help is much appreciated - Thanks!

[Avina 13]

I think you should consider contacting your local Japanese Embassy and explain them the situation.

Usually if you live abroad, the the consulate of your home country is responsible for paperwork.

[Ontarkie 13,916]

~~Moved to the Regional forum from K1 P&P - As the OP is asking Country specific questions and not K1 Visa questions.~~

[nativeson 47]

What you're asking about is the kon-in todoke, koseki, and related paperwork. The Japanese Embassy website says that Japanese getting married to 'foreigners' overseas need to contact the nearest consulate directly. http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/j/koseki/marriage_top.html

The time period for registering the marriage is within 3 months, but if you miss it they have a little form to fill out. http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/j/koseki/konin_chien.htm

Unfortunately the time period for registering a name change appears to be 6 months and if you miss it then you might have to go to court inside Japan. They have a phone number listed for consultation if that's the case.

Your wife should check the embassy's web page directly.

Other than that, Congrats!

[guidoanchovies 1]

I've reached out to the consulate and nativeson's info is exactly what I was looking for so that I could speak intelligently to the consulate representative once I have a chance to talk to them- thank you both!

Looks like we will have to do the name change on our next vacation heading back over, but that should be no problem.