Welcome to Higashikawa

Memorial Marriage Certificate

Memorial Marriage Certificate – To Capture That Special Moment

In October 3, 2005 Higashikawa started to issue a new marriage certificate (memorial marriage certificate) to capture that special moment in people’s lives. What is your image of a wedding ceremony? What about the memories of your wedding ceremony? Was it a big celebration, a moving ceremony, or were there only the two of you? The marriage certificate is the first document that legally recognizes you as married, and it is very important in any couple’s life. However, the issuance of a marriage certificate to the couple alone can hardly be called a memory.
Being a married couple and starting a family is not an easy thing to do. Marriage is not always fun and joy. However, if we do not forget the happy feeling and dreams we had getting married, these often become a source of strength and happiness.
The idea for a memorial marriage certificate was born from a desire to capture couples’ hapiness during their wedding ceremony. A memorial marriage certificate issued by Higashikawa is a souvenir of that important moment in couples’ lives.

If married in Higashikawa, the town gives the couple a picture from their wedding ceremony as a present. Also, the couple’s photo with a message is displayed in the Photo Gallery of Higashikawa.

How to Receive the Memorial Marriage Certificate

The memorial marriage certificate (Shin-kon’in todoke) is a souvenir from Higashikawa, and it must be received in person. The marriage certificate (Todokede yoshi) needs to be filled out, sealed, and submitted to Higashikawa Town Hall in person (not by mail).
There are two ways to receive the memorial marriage certificate:

  1. Receive the memorial marriage certificate in person in Higashikawa Town Hall

    ※ Weekdays: 8:30 to 17:15 (except for New Year’s holidays)

  2. Submit the marriage certificate at Higashikawa Town Hall and receive the memorial marriage certificate at a later date

    ※ Weekends, holidays, after-hours: your marriage certificate will be collected by a security guard. After examination, the memorial marriage certificate will be returned to you at a later date.

Marriage Registration

Necessary documents
  • 1) Marriage certificate (Shin-kon’in todoke)
  • 2) Family registry (Koseki tohon; for those whose family records are not registered in Higashikawa)
  • 3) Seal (Inkan; the one that was used to stamp the marriage certificate)
  • 4) Driver’s license, Passport, etc. (any photo ID)

Weekday notification time period

1.Advance preparation
  1. Go to Higashikawa Town Hall and obtain your marriage certificate (for submission). Staff will explain the contents of the certificate that require special attention.

    ※ Marriage certificate can be obtained on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:15 (except for New Year’s holidays).

2.Filling out the marriage certificate
  1. Fill out the marriage certificate, sign and seal it.
  2. Two witnesses also sign and seal the certificate.
3.Submitting the marriage certificate
  1. Submit the marriage certificate at Higashikawa Town Hall, including the following documents:
    • 1) Marriage certificate
    • 2) Family registry (for those whose family records are not registered in Higashikawa)
    • 3) Seal (the one that was used to stamp the marriage certificate)
    • 4) Driver’s license, Passport, etc. (any photo ID)

    ※ Documents can be submitted on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:15 (except for New Year’s holidays).

4.Receiving the memorial marriage certificate
  • Submitted documents will be examined in a few days.
  • If you have submitted all the necessary documents and filled out the marriage certificate correctly, your memorial marriage certificate will be stamped with the commemorative seal and returned to you at a later date according to the indicated receiving method.

Weekend, holiday, after-hours notification time period

Your marriage certificate will be collected by a security guard. After examination, the memorial marriage certificate will be returned to you at a later date.

3. Submitting the marriage certificate
  1. Submit the family registry envelope

    ※ Fill in the registration date, name, address, phone number and desired receiving method.

  2. Include the following documents:
    • A) Marriage certificate
    • B) Family registry (for those whose family records are not registered in Higashikawa)

    Seal the envelope and stamp overlapping the closure flap.

4. Receiving the memorial marriage certificate
  • Submitted documents will be examined in a few days.
  • If you have submitted all the necessary documents and filled out the marriage certificate correctly, your memorial marriage certificate will be stamped with the commemorative seal and returned to you at a later date by the indicated receiving method.

Marriage Certificate Handling Procedures

Contents of a Marriage Certificate

  • A) Marriage certificate (for submission)
  • B) Memorial marriage certificate (Marriage certificate in covers, photo attached)
  • C) Message sheet (separable sheets)

Submission of a Marriage Certificate

Instructions for submitting a marriage certificate

Before submission

Fill out the marriage certificate and submit it
to Higashikawa Town Hall.
(Do not separate the sheets)

After submission

  • After the marriage certificate has been submitted (and examined) both sheets are separated and stamped with the commemorative seal. Both sheets are returned to you.

  • Paste a photo of both of you on the message sheet and write a personal message (thoughts, memories, message to your future wife/husband, etc.).

  • Pockets can be used as a “time capsule” for your message sheet, wedding CD or photo, etc. In case of a photo, it will be visible from a small cut-out frame.

  • Peel the double-sided tape from both sheets and seal the pockets.

  • You can open your “time capsule” and take a look at it any time you want. But you can also try to leave it unopened for as long as you please.

  • Whichever you choose, may you enjoy this happiest of days! We wish you a lifetime of happiness.

Cooperation

The design of the memorial marriage certificate was adopted from the Fuji TV Program “New Design Paradise” (Kanto area only). The project was formed in cooperation with Amuse Inc. (TV production) and designed by the world-famous Yasushi Fujimoto, the art director of the design studio “Cap”.

Support:Fujitv “New Design Paradise” +Amuse
Design:Yasushi Fujimoto+Cap

Yasushi Fujimoto
“Cap”, Art Director

In 1983, Yasushi Fujimoto established his own art studio “Cap”. He has worked for over 100 magazines including Marie Claire Japan, Ryuko Tsushin, Olive, Studio Voice, Vogue Nippon, GQ Japan, Ginza, Brutus, Casabrutus, Real Simple, and Tokion. Fujimoto has also directed advertising projects for clients including Louis Vuitton, Omotesando Hills and several apparel brands.
In 1996, Fujimoto opened “Gallery Rocket”. The gallery was closed, but it reopened in Minami-Aoyama in Summer 2007. In March 2004, he opened an exhibition at the Ginza Graphic Gallery devoted to exhibiting and promoting graphic design. In the same year, he released a book called “Cap Magazine Designer’s Collective” (Zasshi wo Design Suru Shudan Cap). In 2006, he released a book called “The Secret Sense of Japanese Magazine Design” (Zasshi wo Design Suru Hito to Genba to Sensu no Himitsu).

Fuji TV Program “New Design Paradise”
(Kanto area only) ※ Currently off air

30 minute program every Friday night from 1:05 to 1:35 AM, sponsored by Nissan Motor Company.
Every design has a meaning and reason. However, swallowed by daily lives, people have lost the urge for novelty in design. Therefore this show features creators who are invited to introduce and share new and fresh design ideas.

Cast:
Shosuke Tanihara, host
Guest creators
Sponsored byAmuse Inc.

Inquiries

The memorial marriage certificate is different from the standard marriage certificate issued by Japanese authorities, therefore you are advised to make inquiries regarding applicable procedures.

  • ※ Please take into consideration that marriage certificate procedures cannot be handled via postal mail or e-mail.
  • ※ Inquiries via phone: Weekdays from 8:30 to 17:15

Contact

Residential Development Division Phone: 0166-82-2111

Contact information

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    For further details visit here

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    For further details visit here

  • Welcome to Higashikawa