Resident registration is one of the first administrative procedures to complete after establishing a home in Japan. It connects your current address to the municipal resident record and affects many later procedures, including National Health Insurance, My Number, banking, taxation, school enrollment and other public services.
Foreign residents covered by Japan’s resident-registration system must report their place of residence to the municipal office responsible for the address. For a mid- to long-term resident who has established a place of residence, the notification is generally required within 14 days.
Best practical order: move into your actual home, gather your residence documents, visit the city or ward office within the required period, confirm that the address is recorded correctly and complete related procedures before leaving the counter.
- Quick Decision Table
- Who Is Covered by Foreign-Resident Registration?
- Why Resident Registration Matters
- Step 1: Confirm Which Municipal Office Handles Your Address
- Step 2: Complete the Procedure Within the Required Period
- Documents Commonly Requested
- Moving to Japan From Overseas
- Moving From Another Japanese Municipality
- Moving Within the Same Municipality
- Moving Out of the Municipality
- Leaving Japan Permanently
- Residence Card Address Update
- Joining an Existing Household
- Household Head and Separate Households
- Certificate of Residence: Jūminhyō
- My Number After Resident Registration
- Complete Related Procedures During the Same Visit
- Municipal Counter Conversation Template
- Common Mistakes
- Final Counter Checklist
- Official Sources
- Next Step: Confirm Your My Number Procedures
- Next Step: Confirm Your Japanese Pension Status
- Next Step: Understand Income Tax and Resident Tax
- Complete Address and Utility Setup Separately
- Use the Complete Registered Address for Internet Applications
- Match Your Mobile Application to Your Current Address
- Match the Voice-SIM Application to the Registered Address
- After Resident Registration: What Usually Comes Next
- Related Guides for Setting Up Life in Japan
Quick Decision Table
| Your situation | Procedure to check | General timing |
|---|---|---|
| You entered Japan and established your first residential address | Notification of place of residence or moving-in notification | Generally within 14 days after establishing the address |
| You moved from another Japanese municipality | Moving-in notification at the new municipality | Generally within 14 days after moving |
| You moved to another address within the same municipality | Change-of-address or moving-within notification | Generally within 14 days after moving |
| You will move to another municipality | Moving-out notification at the current municipality | Complete according to the municipality’s rules before or around the move |
| You will leave Japan and end your Japanese residence | Overseas moving-out notification and related closing procedures | Complete before departure under the municipality’s procedure |
| Your address did not change, but your residence status or card changed | Confirm whether the procedure belongs to immigration, the municipality or both | Use the deadline for that specific change |
The exact form name, accepted submission method and document list vary by municipality. Check the official website of the city, ward, town or village where you live.
Who Is Covered by Foreign-Resident Registration?
Japan’s Basic Resident Registration system includes qualifying foreign residents such as many mid- to long-term residents and special permanent residents. Short-term visitors are not handled in the same way.
Your procedure may depend on:
- your status of residence;
- your permitted period of stay;
- whether a residence card was issued at the port of entry;
- whether you are a special permanent resident;
- whether you are joining an existing household;
- whether you moved from overseas or another Japanese municipality;
- whether family-relationship documents are needed.
When unsure, show your passport and residence documents to the municipal counter rather than relying on a general online checklist.
Why Resident Registration Matters
Resident registration is not merely a mailing-address change. It creates or updates the municipal record used for many practical parts of life in Japan.
It may be needed when you:
- enroll in National Health Insurance;
- receive your Individual Number notification;
- apply for a My Number Card;
- obtain a certificate of residence;
- open a bank account;
- register children for school or childcare;
- apply for municipal benefits;
- complete local tax procedures;
- register a personal seal where applicable;
- change the address attached to municipal services.
Our bank-account guide explains why a current registered address is commonly important during financial-institution screening.
Step 1: Confirm Which Municipal Office Handles Your Address
Your procedure is handled by the city, ward, town or village responsible for the address where you actually live.
Before visiting, confirm:
- the correct municipal or ward office;
- the department handling resident registration;
- office hours;
- whether an appointment is necessary;
- whether Saturday or evening service is available;
- whether interpretation is available;
- whether a representative can submit the notification;
- which original documents and translations are required.
Large designated cities may require you to use the ward office for your district rather than the central city office.
Step 2: Complete the Procedure Within the Required Period
Immigration Services Agency guidance states that mid- to long-term residents must register their place of residence with the local municipality within 14 days after establishing it.
Municipal guidance also commonly sets a 14-day deadline for moving into a municipality or changing address within it.
Do not wait for every other setup task to finish. Internet installation, furniture delivery, a bank account or employment onboarding should not delay the address procedure beyond the applicable deadline.
When you believe you cannot meet the deadline, contact the municipal office promptly and explain the reason. Do not invent an earlier or later moving date.
Documents Commonly Requested
The precise list depends on your move and household situation. Common items include:
| Document or information | When it may be needed |
|---|---|
| Residence card | For a mid- to long-term resident whose card has been issued |
| Special Permanent Resident Certificate | For a special permanent resident |
| Passport | For identity confirmation or when a residence card was not issued at entry |
| Moving-out certificate | Commonly required when moving from another municipality using a standard paper procedure |
| My Number Card | For a cardholder changing the registered address |
| Relationship documents | When joining a household and the relationship cannot be confirmed in Japanese records |
| Japanese translation | When a required relationship document is written in another language |
| Authorization document | When a representative submits the procedure |
| National Health Insurance documents | When enrolling, withdrawing or transferring municipal insurance |
| Lease or housing information | When the municipality requests additional confirmation of the address |
Municipal requirements differ, so treat this as a preparation list rather than a guaranteed complete list.
Moving to Japan From Overseas
After entering Japan and establishing a residential address, complete the local notification for that address.
A practical sequence is:
- Enter Japan with the correct passport and residence documents.
- Move into the address where you will actually reside.
- Confirm the correct municipal office.
- Submit the notification within the required period.
- Have the address recorded on the residence card when applicable.
- Confirm creation of the resident record.
- Ask about My Number notification.
- Complete health-insurance and other linked procedures.
If your residence card was not issued at the port of entry, take your passport and any document showing that the residence card will be issued later.
Moving From Another Japanese Municipality
When moving from one municipality to another, you generally complete a moving-out procedure at the former municipality and a moving-in procedure at the new municipality.
Before leaving the former municipality, check:
- whether a moving-out notification is required;
- whether you will receive a paper moving-out certificate;
- whether a My Number Card procedure can replace part of the paper process;
- how National Health Insurance is closed;
- whether local taxes or benefits require separate action;
- whether a proxy or online procedure is accepted.
At the new municipality, take the required moving-out information, residence documents and My Number Card if you have one.
Moving Within the Same Municipality
A move within the same city or ward still requires an address-change procedure. Do not assume that updating the post office or landlord is enough.
After the municipal change, also review:
- the address printed or recorded on your residence card;
- My Number Card address information;
- National Health Insurance records;
- bank and credit-card records;
- mobile-phone and internet contracts;
- employer and school records;
- driver’s-license information;
- vehicle and bicycle registrations where applicable.
Moving Out of the Municipality
When leaving for another Japanese municipality, submit the moving-out notification under the current municipality’s rules.
Ask the office:
- the earliest date the procedure can be filed;
- whether it can be submitted online or by mail;
- whether a moving-out certificate will be issued;
- how to correct the planned moving date;
- what happens if the move is cancelled;
- which municipal services must be closed separately.
Keep any moving-out certificate or confirmation where it cannot be packed into inaccessible luggage.
Leaving Japan Permanently
When ending residence in Japan, complete the overseas moving-out procedure before departure under your municipality’s rules.
Resident registration is only one part of departure preparation. Also check:
- National Health Insurance withdrawal;
- National Pension procedures;
- resident-tax obligations and a possible tax representative;
- final utility bills;
- bank-account closure or continued use;
- mail forwarding;
- My Number Card handling;
- school and childcare withdrawal;
- final rent and move-out charges.
Do not assume that leaving the country automatically closes municipal accounts or removes unpaid obligations.
Residence Card Address Update
For a covered foreign resident, the municipal address notification and the residence-card address record are connected. Confirm the card before leaving the counter.
Check:
- the building and room number;
- postal code;
- municipality and district;
- street or block notation;
- whether the new address is readable;
- whether the date of notification is correct.
Report a printing or transcription mistake immediately. A small mismatch can later create trouble with banking, employment or delivery verification.
Joining an Existing Household
When joining another person’s household, the municipality may need to confirm your relationship to the head of household.
This can be important when:
- spouses use different family names;
- parents and children have documents issued abroad;
- the relationship is not recorded in a Japanese family register;
- several unrelated residents share one address;
- you are joining a partner but maintaining a separate household.
A foreign-language certificate may need a Japanese translation identifying the translator. Ask whether the translation must follow a particular format.
Household Head and Separate Households
People living at the same address are not always required to form one household. The municipality decides how household registration should reflect the actual living and financial arrangement.
Ask the office when:
- unrelated roommates share an apartment;
- a couple maintains separate finances;
- several generations live together;
- the leaseholder is not the household head;
- a company provides employee housing;
- a share-house operator controls the contract.
The choice can affect certificates and administrative notices, so do not select a household structure merely because it seems convenient.
Certificate of Residence: Jūminhyō
After registration, you may need a certificate of residence, commonly called a jūminhyō.
It can be requested for procedures such as:
- banking;
- employment;
- school enrollment;
- vehicle or license procedures;
- housing applications;
- public benefits;
- proof of household members;
- confirmation of My Number when legally appropriate.
Before ordering it, ask the receiving organization exactly which information must appear. Depending on the purpose, unnecessary sensitive information should not be included.
My Number After Resident Registration
My Number is a 12-digit Individual Number assigned to residents who have a resident record. Foreign nationals with a certificate of residence are included.
When a person newly registers as a resident after moving from abroad, the municipality assigns the My Number and sends the Individual Number Notice to the registered address.
The number and the plastic My Number Card are different:
| Item | Meaning |
|---|---|
| My Number | The 12-digit Individual Number assigned through the resident record |
| Individual Number Notice | A document informing a newly registered resident of the number |
| My Number Card | An optional photo identification card containing an IC chip and electronic certificates |
| Certificate of residence showing My Number | A municipal certificate that may be used to prove the number when legally appropriate |
Protect the number. Do not casually send a photograph of My Number information or allow an organization to collect it unless the procedure legally requires it.
Complete Related Procedures During the Same Visit
Many municipalities allow residents to handle several linked procedures during one visit.
Ask whether you also need to complete:
- National Health Insurance enrollment;
- National Pension registration;
- My Number Card address changes;
- child allowance or childcare procedures;
- school enrollment;
- maternal and child health procedures;
- seal registration;
- elderly-care insurance procedures;
- municipal tax consultation.
See our National Health Insurance guide before visiting the insurance counter.
Municipal Counter Conversation Template
Hello. I moved to this address on 2026/08/04 and need to complete my resident-registration procedure.
I am a [status of residence] holder. Here are my residence card and passport.
Could you confirm which notification I need, whether any family-relationship documents are required and whether I can complete National Health Insurance and My Number procedures today?
Please also confirm that my full address, building name and room number have been recorded correctly.
Useful Japanese phrases:
- Jūmin tōroku no tetsuzuki o shitai desu. — I would like to complete resident registration.
- Tennyū todoke o dashitai desu. — I would like to submit a moving-in notification.
- Tenkyo todoke o dashitai desu. — I would like to report a move within the municipality.
- Tenshutsu todoke o dashitai desu. — I would like to submit a moving-out notification.
- Hitsuyō na shorui o oshiete kudasai. — Please tell me which documents are required.
Common Mistakes
Using the lease-signing date as the moving date
The relevant date is generally connected to when you actually establish or change residence. Ask the municipality how to report an unusual gap.
Updating the post office but not the municipality
Mail forwarding does not replace resident registration.
Leaving the building or room number incomplete
An incomplete address can interfere with bank mail, government notices and identity verification.
Forgetting the moving-out procedure
The new municipality may require confirmation from the former municipality before it can complete the new registration.
Packing required documents
Keep residence cards, passports, moving certificates and My Number Cards with you during the move.
Ignoring family-relationship documents
Residents joining an existing household may need original evidence and a Japanese translation.
Assuming My Number changes after every move
My Number is generally used throughout life and does not change simply because the resident record is transferred.
Final Counter Checklist
- Confirm the correct office and counter.
- Confirm the reporting deadline.
- Bring residence cards for relevant household members.
- Bring passports when requested.
- Bring the moving-out certificate when applicable.
- Bring My Number Cards held by household members.
- Prepare original relationship documents and translations.
- Confirm the household head and household structure.
- Check the full registered address before leaving.
- Ask whether a certificate of residence is needed.
- Complete health-insurance procedures.
- Confirm My Number notification or card procedures.
- Save every receipt, certificate and information sheet.
- Update banks, employers, schools and service providers afterward.
Official Sources
- Immigration Services Agency: Notification of Place of Residence
- Immigration Services Agency: Notification of Change of Residence
- Immigration Services Agency: Procedures at Municipal Offices
- Immigration Services Agency: Residence-System Questions and Answers
- Shinjuku City: Notification Procedures for a Change of Address
- Osaka City: Resident Registration After Entering Japan
- Digital Agency: About the My Number System
- Digital Agency: My Number Frequently Asked Questions
Forms, office locations, accepted submission methods and required documents vary by municipality. Check the official website for your current address before visiting.
Best next action: place your residence card, passport, moving-out certificate, My Number Card and household documents in one folder. Visit the correct municipal office within the applicable period and complete all linked procedures during the same visit.
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