certificate of eligibility

do you need to get a certificate of eligibility to change from a working holiday visa to a spouse visa??

i heard that i didn't but now i heard that i do. i'm confused!!

if i do need one, is it possible to get a certificate of eligibility while i am in japan??

i'm about to get married and don't want to have to leave japan as soon as i am married! cos i heard it takes a long time for the certificate of elegibility to come. i hope i can get it from my embassy in japan. otherwise i'm screwed!!

thank you!!

COEs are for people applying for visas to enter Japan. Since you are already in Japan on a WHV you will instead be changing your status of residence which doesn't require a COE. The application to change your status can be found here:

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/02.html

The necessary documents that must also be submitted at the time of your application are outlined on this similar thread:

http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+57221

You can find the phone number for your local immigration office at the following link if you want to call your local immigration office for more official guidance.

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/info/index.html