Just Married to a Japanese Citizen - Insurance Against The Unthinkable

Japan has an absolutely horrid reputation on children rights issues. Politely, anyone concerned about being able to maintain a relationship with their children should a marriage end, is taking a risk by marrying a Japanese. Be they a non-Japanese, a Permanent Resident in Japan, or even a Japanese citizen   So just like buying insurance for other risks, there are things you should do now, while you both are happy and in love, to protect you and your children in the future.

<TODO: This is mostly advice for a non-Japanese.  Rewrite to apply to Japanese also.>

• Read our page on what a Japanese Family Registration, or koseki is.  It is important.
• Register your marriage in Japan and get on their koseki.  Get a copy of the koseki with your name on it.  If you live overseas, do this through the Japanese embassy.  (There may be a limited amount of time after the marriage to do this.  ????Anyone know???)  EXPLAIN WHY.
• After birth of a child in wedlock, register that child on your spouse's koseki.  EXPLAIN WHY.
• After birth of a child out of wedlock, file for paternity as soon as possible at the government office that has your partner's koseki.  This is easy to do and doesnt even require the mother's signature.  (LINK TO FORMS.)  Then get a copy of the koseki with your name listed as the father.  (?REWORD TO INCLUDE WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A MOTHER....)
• After birth of your child, get their other citizenship recognized as soon as possible, just in case your need cooperation from your spouse to do this.  They might not cooperate later.  There are advantages to having this non-Japanese citizenship.  LINKLINK.
• Find the official address of their koseki and get an official copy.  (If you need future copies, see LINKLINK on this web site for instruction and forms to order these by mail, even from outside Japan.)  EXPLAIN WHY. IE TO REQUEST EVERY 6 MONTHS TO MAKE SURE CHILD IS NOT ADOPTED ETC.
• Find out the names, addresses, and other contact information for as many Japanese relatives and friends in Japan as possible.  This is just in case your spouse becomes hard to find in the future.
• If you live in Japan, get a copy of the zyuuminhyou with your name on it.