How to Register or Change Your Address in Japan (With Phrases & Examples)

If you’re staying in Japan for longer than 90 days, you’ll need to register your address with the local government. And every time you change your address, you’ll need to update the address on file.

In this article, we’ll explain how to register or change your address in Japan in a few simple steps.

We’ve also included a sample application form for your reference, plus some helpful Japanese phrases to use..but first, why register your address in Japan?

Why Register Your Address in Japan?

The biggest reason to register your address is that it’s required by law if you’ll be in Japan for 90 days or more. You may be subject to a fine of up to 50,000 yen if you fail to register an address.

Besides the fact that it’s a legal obligation, having a registered address in Japan has many benefits, like:

• Proof of residence, which means you can apply for phone contracts, apartment leases, and more.
• Eligibility for national benefits, like health insurance, pension, child allowances, and other things.

Every resident is registered at the local municipality where they live. Depending on where you live, that could be a town, city, ward, or other local administration. For example, if you live in Tokyo, you would be registered in your local ward or city, such as Minato Ward or Tachikawa City.

You must register your address when you move to, within, and out of Japan. You’re asked to register the change within 14 days of the move.

How to Register an Address for the First Time

If you’re moving to Japan for the first time, you’ll need to register your address within 14 days of entering the country. You’ll submit a Change of Address Form 住民異動届（じゅうみんいどうとどけ）, which in this case is also called a Moving In From Overseas Form 国外転入届（こくがいてんにゅうとどけ）.

Here’s a general guideline of what to bring:

• Proof of Identification (Passport, Residence Card, etc.)
• Residence Card or equivalent of everyone who’s moving in with you (If these don’t show how long you’re approved to stay in Japan, you’ll need to bring passports and/or other visa documents to show your visa status and period of stay.)
• Proof of Family Relationship (If you and your family are not Japanese, you’ll need documents to prove that you’re a family. If it’s in a foreign language, you’ll need a translation with the name of the translator clearly stated. It’s safest to ask your local municipal office for instructions.)
• (You may need other documents depending on your situation or location.)

Once you have the right documents, here’s what to do:

• Visit the Residents and Family Registration Division 戸籍登録課（こせきとうろくか） within your local municipal office.
• Ask for a Change of Residence Form 住民異動届（じゅうみんいどうとどけ） and take a number.
• Submit the form and your documents at the window. They’ll process the documents and call you back.
• When they call your number again, they’ll give you your residence card with the new address written on the back, as well as your other documents.

How much does registering an address in Japan cost?

Registering your address in Japan is free. But you’ll also have the option to apply for a Certificate of Residence 住民票（じゅうみんひょう）, which will cost you a few hundred yen. This is the official document you’ll use to prove your address and residence in Japan when applying for long-term contracts and other things.

If you’d like to have one, you can usually fill out an application or ask the person at the desk to make one when you register your address. (Look up the exact steps.)

How to Change Your Address After a Move

If you move to a new apartment or home and your address changes, you must change your registered address within 14 days of moving.

There are 3 different situations you might run into, so we’ll cover each of them in detail.

Moving Out of Your Municipality

If you’re leaving your municipality, you’ll need to submit a Change of Address Form 住民異動届（じゅうみんいどうとどけ）. In this case, it’s also called a Moving Out Form 転出届（てんしゅつとどけ）. You’ll need to submit this whether you’re leaving Japan permanently or moving to a new area within Japan.

Here’s a general guideline of what to bring:

• Proof of Identification of the person who’s applying (Residence Card, Driver’s License, etc.)
• Health Insurance Cards, Pension Booklets, and other public service documents from your local municipality (for all family members who have them).
• (You may need other documents depending on your situation or location.)

Here are the steps:

• Visit your local municipal office and go to the Residents and Family Registration Division 戸籍登録課（こせきとうろくか）.
• Ask for a Change of Address Form and take a number.
• Submit the form and your documents at the window. They’ll process the documents and call you back.
• You’ll get a certificate showing that you are leaving the municipality called a 転出証明書（てんしゅつしょうめいしょ）. Keep this, as you’ll need it to register your address at your new location.

Moving Within Your Municipality

Moving within your municipality also requires you to register your new address with a Change of Address Form. This type is also called a Moving Within Form 転居届（てんきょとどけ）.

Here’s a general guideline of what to bring:

• Proof of Identification of the person who’s applying (Residence Card, Driver’s License, etc.)
• Residence Card or equivalent for every family member who’s moving with you (If you’re adding family members, you will need additional documents to prove your relationship.)
• Health Insurance Cards and My Number Cards for everyone who has one.
• (You may need other documents depending on your situation or location.)

Here are the steps:

• Visit your local municipal office and go to the Residents and Family Registration Division 戸籍登録課（こせきとうろくか）.
• Ask for a Change of Address Form.
• Submit the form and your documents at the window. They’ll process the documents and call you back.
• You’ll get your Residence Card back with the new address updated on it, and you’ll be able to get Certificates of Residence with the new address printed on it.

Moving Into a New Municipality

If you’re moving from one municipality to another (such as from Minato Ward to Koto Ward, for example), you’ll need to submit a Change of Address form, also called a Moving In Form or 転入届（てんにゅうとどけ）.

Here’s a general guideline of what to bring:

• Proof of Identification of the person who’s applying (Residence Card, Driver’s License, etc.)
• A Certificate of Moving Out or 転出証明書（てんしゅつしょうめいしょ） from your previous municipality (See “Moving Out Of Your Municipality” above.)
• Residence Cards or equivalent for every family member who’s moving with you.
• (You may need other documents depending on your situation or location.)

Here are the steps:

• Visit your new municipal office (the new one where you now live) and go to the Residents and Family Registration Division 戸籍登録課（こせきとうろくか）.
• Ask for a Change of Address form.
• Submit the form and your documents at the window. They’ll process the documents and call you back.
• You’ll get your Residence Card back with the new address updated on it, and you’ll be able to get Certificates of Residence with the new address printed on it.

Sample Change of Address Form

Below you’ll find a sample Change of Address Form. This form combines the Moving In, Moving Out, and Moving Within Forms into one.

You can see below how a typical family would fill out the form in English. (Note: Please check with your local municipality to see if you can fill out the form in English or not.)

Unfortunately, every local municipal office has a different form, so this is only a rough guide to what you may see on your form. (This one is from Toshima Ward in Tokyo.)

If you’re having trouble filling out the form, you can ask someone in the municipal office to explain it to you. In my experience, there’s usually at least one English speaker who’ll be happy to help you out.

Helpful Japanese Phrases for Registering or Changing Your Address

Excuse me, where’s the Residents and Family Registration Division? すみません、戸籍登録課（こせきとうろくか）はどこですか？

I’d like to submit a Change of Address Form. 住民異動届（じゅうみんいどうとどけ）を出（だ）したいです。

I’ve moved (here) to… 〜に引（ひ）っ越（こ）してきました。

I moved here from… 〜から引（ひ）っ越（こ）してきました。

I will move on (date). 〜に引（ひ）っ越（こ）します。

I moved on (date). 〜に引（ひ）っ越（こ）してきました。

I’m moving in (to this municipality). 転入（てんにゅう）入します。

I’m moving out (of this municipality). 転出（てん）します。

I’m moving (within this municipality). 転居（てんきょ）します。

Head of Household 世帯主（せたいぬし）

Residence Card 在留（ざいりゅう）カード

Passport パスポート

My Number Card マイナンバーカード　

Certificate of Residence 住民票（じゅうみんひょう）

Using a Certificate of Residence to Prove Your Address in Japan

You can use a Certificate of Residence 住民票（じゅうみんひょう） to prove your address in Japan. You’ll need one of these to get a phone contract, open a bank account, and many other situations you’ll run into during life in Japan.

You can order copies of your Certificate of Residence at your local municipal office for a few hundred yen, or if you have your My Number Card, you can print out copies on the copier at your local convenience store.

Summary

Living in Japan requires you to register your address and update it every time you move to a new place. Bookmark this article so you’ll have it the next time you move.

Do you have any questions we didn’t answer here? Leave them below and we can answer them in a future article.

Author: Amanda Horiuchi