Welcome to City of Higashimurayama

Family Registration

Notifications of Marriage and Divorce

Where to report: when marrying a Japanese citizen, the municipal office of his/her permanent domicile or current residence. When marrying another foreign citizen, the municipal office of the current residence of either party. Who Must Report: Prospective husband and wife (two witnesses will be needed at the time of notification)

Necessary Documents: In addition to the notification of marriage, a Japanese citizen will need a copy of his/her family register (when he/she doesn't have a permanent domicile at the municipal office where the marriage is notified). A foreign citizen will need a certificate of nationality such as a passport or birth certificate, a statement issued by his/her national government or embassy certifying that the marriage doesn't interfere with the law of his/her country, and a translation (with a translator's signature and seal) of the statement.


Divorce between a foreign citizen who lives in Japan and his/her Japanese spouse is possible according to the Japanese law. There are two methods of divorce in Japan, a divorce by agreement and by court ruling. In the case of divorce by agreement, in addition to the notification of divorce, a Japanese citizen will need a copy of his/her family register and resident card (when he/she doesn't have a permanent domicile or address at the municipal office where the divorce is notified), a foreign citizen will need a certificate of nationality such as a passport.


A family register is a public document which records relationships within the Japanese family. This document is not directly related to foreign citizens. Nevertheless, foreign citizens are required to report births, deaths, marriage and divorce to the municipal office in Japan.


Foreign resident registration is required within 60 days of the birth (the certificate of receiving the birth notification or certificate of information contained is required for those who have submitted the notification of birth to
municipal offices other than Higashi-Murayama City Office).

Notifications Related to Birth

Notification Period: Within 14 days of birth Municipal Office to Notify: Municipal office of the area where a baby was born or that of the area where the notifying person has residency. Notifying Person: Father or mother of the baby Necessary Documents: A birth certificate issued by the doctor and the Maternal and Child Health Handbook.


(1) If you have submitted the notification of birth to a municipal office that is not of your current residence, you should apply for foreign registration for your baby at the municipal office of your current residence, bringing the certificate you received after submitting the notification of birth.
(2) Apply for a passport for the baby at your embassy in Japan
(3) Apply for the status of residence and period of stay at Tokyo Immigration Bureau within 30 days of birth
(4) Within 14 days of obtaining the status of residence and period of stay, report to the city office by bringing the passport and foreign registration card.

Notificatian of Death

Notification Period: Within 7 days of the day when you learned of the death Municipal Office to Notify: Municipal office of the area where the death took place or that of the area where the notifying person has residency. Notifying Person: A family member of the same household or a person who shared the same household Necessary Documents: Death certificate issued by the doctor and the foreign registration card of the deceased.

Information concerning family register: Shimin-ka (City Residents Section) Tel: 393-5111