An administrative scrivener explains international marriage between a Japanese and a Laotian!

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1. Technical terms related to international marriage procedures

In this section, we will explain the technical terms used in international marriage procedures.
These terms will appear later in this article, so we recommend you to read the following explanation before proceeding to the rest of the article.

1) The formation of international marriage

In order for international marriage to become effective, in principle, it is necessary to form marital relationships recognized under the homeland law of the wife and that of the husband (laws of Japan and Laos in this case).

2) What is a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage?

In order for a foreigner to effectively marry in the Method of Japan (please see 3 below for its meaning), he/she must meet the marriage requirements stipulated by his/her homeland law (e.g. legal age for marriage, and being unmarried).
However, in reality, it is not easy for Japanese municipal offices to research foreign laws.

To solve such issue, a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage needs to be submitted, so the authority knows that the marriage requirements stipulated by the homeland law of the relevant foreigner are satisfied.
In some countries, a Certificate of Being Unmarried is issued instead, but if the document clarifies the fulfillment of legal marriage requirements other than just being single, such document can be considered as a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage as well.

3) Method of Japan and Method of Laos

As mentioned above, international marriage procedures are not completed until marital relationships are formed in both husband’s home country and wife’s home country.
If the marital relationship is formed in Japan first, such method of international marriage is called the Method of Japan, while in the Method of Laos, the marital relationship is formed in Laos first.

2. Points to note regarding procedures for international marriage between a Japanese and a Laotian

The following items are points to note regarding procedures for international marriage between a Laotian and a Japanese.

1) A Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage

The “Marriage Permit” issued by the Lao Embassy in Japan is treated as a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. A Marriage Permit is issued only when the marriage procedure is carried out in the Method of Laos, and under Lao law, marriage is established upon obtaining a Marriage Permit. In other words, Japanese municipal offices require the submission of a Marriage Permit for marriage in the Method of Japan, but the marriage has been already established in the Method of Laos by the issuance of the Marriage Permit. Although, in the current operation, Japanese municipal offices treat a marriage notification submitted subsequent to the issuance of a Marriage Permit as a notification creating a material relationship (i.e. marriage in the Method of Japan), such understanding is incorrect and such notification should be accepted as a notification having an effect as a report (i.e. marriage in the Method of Laos).

Japanese municipal offices do not accept a notification of marriage unless a Marriage Permit is submitted.
Therefore, a Japanese and a Laotian can only marry in the Method of Laos.

2) The legal age for marriage

The legal age for marriage in Laos is 18.

3) Being not mentally or physically ill

Marrying parties must not be in an inadequate mental state or seriously ill, or have disease that can be easily transmitted to others. Having a mental disorder which may become a threat to the life and health of his/her spouse or child is considered legal impediment for marriage, as well as having a serious or infectious illness. For that reason, the submission of a medical certificate is required at the time of marriage.

3. Documents required for international marriage between a Japanese and a Laotian established in the Method of Laos

Now we will explain the procedures for international marriage between a Japanese and a Laotian.
We will describe the necessary documents for marriage between a Japanese and a Laotian which is established in the Method of Laos.
We recommend that you talk to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos in advance since you will need to obtain the list of required documents and an application form.

1) Documents to be prepared by the Japanese husband/wife to be

・ Marriage application form: 1 copy and 1 Lao translation
・ Resume: 1 original and 1 copy
・ Transcript of family register: 1 copy and 1 Lao translation thereof
・ Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage: 1 copy and 1 Lao translation
・ Police clearance certificate*: 1 copy and 1 Lao translation thereof
・ Parental consent to marriage (only for women) : 1 copy and 1 Lao translation
・ Certificate of employment: 1 copy and 1 Lao translation
・ Medical certificate (within 6 months from the date of issue) : 1 copy and 1 Lao translation
・ The valid passport and a Lao translation thereof
・ Facial photos (4 cm x 3 cm): 3 pieces

* To obtain a police clearance certificate, you need to go to the Lao Embassy in Japan to obtain a form to request the police of the issuance of the certificate.

2) Documents to be prepared by the Lao husband/wife to be

・ Marriage application form: 1 original and 1 copy
・ Resume (fill in a form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos): 1 original and 1 copy
・ Certificate of Being Unmarried (or Certificate of Divorce if divorced before) : 1 original and 1 copy
・ Certificate of Residence: 1 original and 1 copy
・ Parental consent to marriage (only for women): 1 original and 1 copy
・ Medical certificate (within 6 months from the date of issue): 1 original and 1 copy
・ Police clearance certificate: 1 original and 1 copy
・ The valid passport
・ Facial photos (4 cm x 3 cm): 3 pieces

4. Procedure for international marriage between a Japanese and a Laotian in the Method of Laos

In order to marry in the Method of Laos, marrying parties must prepare above documents and appear together at the police station that has jurisdiction over the place of residence of the Lao spouse to submit an application for Marriage Permit. In Laos, permission is necessary to have assemblies, so in order to get married, it is necessary to obtain permission from the police (as a wedding ceremony usually takes place).

Even if the application is successfully accepted, it is not the end of the procedures. International marriages in Laos are examined by a village ⇒ then, a county ⇒ then, a prefecture ⇒ and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In some cases, interviews are also held. Both parties who are getting married must attend them, so the Japanese spouse has to travel to Laos several times for that.
It takes about 6 months to 1 year for the police to finally issue a Marriage Permit.

When the police issues a Marriage Permit, marriage in the Method of Laos is established at the same time (there is no need to have an actual wedding ceremony).
Then, the Marriage Permit needs to be certified at the Lao Embassy in Japan.

After such certification is done, you need to submit the notification of marriage to the municipal office in Japan (notification as a report).

Documents required at the time of submitting the above notification as a report are as follows.
・ A notification of marriage
・ A transcript of the family register (only if submitting to a municipal office whose location is not the registered domicile)
・ Marriage Permit (certified by the Lao Embassy in Japan) and Japanese translation thereof
・ A birth certificate of the Lao spouse and Japanese translation thereof

5. Summary of the procedures for international marriage between a Japanese and a Laotian

In this article, we have explained procedures of marriage between a Japanese and a Laotian.

Since there are not many cases of marriage between a Japanese and a Laotian, Japanese municipal offices may not have updated correct information.

For marriage between a Japanese and a Laotian, many documents are required and examination in Laos takes time. Marring parties may even need to go to Laos several times for the procedures.
Like that, marriage with a Laotian is very complicated, comparing to international marriage involving other countries, but the happiness you feel after all procedures are completed must be huge.

We hope this article is helpful for those who are looking for information as to marriage between a Japanese and a Laotian.