🏠 Moving-In Notification & Address Registration Guide for Foreign Residents
Step-by-step guide to submitting your moving-in notification (tennyuu todoke) and registering your address at city hall in Japan.
Quick Answer
When you move to Japan or change your address within Japan, you need to submit a moving-in notification at your local city hall within 14 days. Bring your residence card, passport, and My Number card. The process is usually completed in one visit.
What is Resident Registration?
Quick Answer
Resident registration (jumin toroku) is the process of officially recording your address with your local municipality in Japan. It is required for all foreign residents with a stay of more than 3 months and is the foundation for accessing public services.
Resident registration (jumin toroku / 住民登録) is one of the first administrative procedures you need to complete when moving to Japan or changing your address within the country. Your registered address connects you to your local municipality for taxes, health insurance, pension, and other public services.
Why Registration Matters
Determines your NHI municipalityRead guide →
Where you pay resident taxRead guide →
Your pension enrollment locationRead guide →
Eligibility for local subsidiesRead guide →
Types of Notifications
| Type | Japanese | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Moving-in | 転入届 / tennyuu todoke | Moving from overseas or another municipality |
| Moving-out | 転出届 / tenshutsu todoke | Leaving for another municipality in Japan |
| Change of Address | 転居届 / tenkyo todoke | Moving within the same municipality |
How to Submit a Moving-In Notification
Quick Answer
Visit your new municipality's city hall within 14 days of moving in. Submit a moving-in notification form with your residence card and passport. Staff will update your residence card with your new address on the spot.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Where | Resident registration counter (市民課 / 住民課) at city hall |
| 🕐 Hours | Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (some offer Saturday morning) |
| ⏰ Deadline | Within 14 days of moving in |
| ⏱ Processing | 15-30 minutes at the counter |
Step-by-Step Process
Gather residence card, passport, My Number card, and moving-out certificate (if applicable)
Go to the resident registration counter (shimin-ka / jumin-ka)
Name, nationality, DOB, previous and new address. Multilingual forms may be available
Staff processes your notification (15-30 minutes)
New address sticker printed on the back. Check for accuracy before leaving
Required Documents
在留カード
パスポート
マイナンバーカード or notification letter
転出証明書 — only for inter-municipality moves
⚠️ The 14-Day Rule
You are expected to submit the notification within 14 days of your actual move-in date (or date of entry for new arrivals). Late submission can result in a fine of up to 50,000 yen, though this is rarely enforced for minor delays.
Compare Budget SIM Cards
Compare Budget SIM Cards →Moving Within the Same Municipality
Quick Answer
If you move within the same city or ward, submit a change of address notification at your city hall within 14 days. You do not need a moving-out certificate for same-municipality moves.
When you move to a new address within the same municipality, the process is simpler than a cross-municipality move.
Go to the resident registration counter
転居届 / tenkyo todoke — bring your residence card and My Number card
Staff updates your residence card and My Number card on the spot
💡 Tip
No moving-out certificate is needed for same-municipality moves. However, you still need to update related services like NHI and pension enrollment, as some details may be tied to your specific address.
Moving to a Different Municipality
Quick Answer
For cross-municipality moves, first submit a moving-out notification at your current city hall to receive a moving-out certificate, then submit a moving-in notification at your new city hall within 14 days of moving.
Moving between municipalities requires actions at both your old and new city halls:
📤 Step 1: Old Municipality
- • Visit the resident registration counter
- • Submit moving-out notification (転出届)
- • Receive moving-out certificate (転出証明書)
- • Return your NHI card if applicable
📥 Step 2: New Municipality
- • Visit within 14 days of moving
- • Submit moving-in notification (転入届) + certificate
- • Residence card updated with new address
- • Enroll in NHI and update pension
💡 Tip
Some municipalities now support online moving-out notifications through the My Number portal, but the moving-in notification still requires an in-person visit.
Compare Bank Accounts
Compare Bank Accounts →My Number and Resident Registration
Quick Answer
Your My Number (individual number) is linked to your resident registration. When you move, you need to update your My Number card or notification letter with your new address at the city hall during the registration process.
My Number (マイナンバー) is Japan\'s individual identification number system. Every registered resident, including foreign nationals, receives a 12-digit My Number.
My Number Card vs. Notification Letter
📄 Notification Letter
- • Paper notice with your 12-digit number
- • Issued when you first register
- • Cannot be used as photo ID
- • Free of charge
💳 My Number Card
- • Plastic IC card with your photo
- • Works as official photo ID
- • Access to online government services
- • Free to apply for
Updating Your My Number Card When Moving
⚠️ Important
Bring your My Number card when submitting your moving-in notification. Staff will update the address and may reset the digital certificate on the chip. You will need to set a new PIN after the update.
If you have the online transfer system set up through the Mynaportal, some pre-move notifications can be submitted digitally. However, the in-person visit at the new municipality remains necessary.
After Registration: Next Steps
Quick Answer
After completing your resident registration, proceed to enroll in National Health Insurance, pension, and other services at the same city hall. Many municipalities have a one-stop counter for new residents.
Once your address registration is complete, there are several follow-up procedures you should handle, often at the same city hall on the same day:
Immediate Next Steps (Same Day at City Hall)
If not covered by employer insuranceRead guide →
At the pension counter if applicableRead guide →
Nursery, child allowance, vaccinationRead guide →
Get the local sorting and schedule rulesRead guide →
Within the First Month
Check Required Procedures
Check Required Procedures →Steps
- 1
Gather documents
Prepare your residence card, passport, and My Number card or notification.
- 2
Get moving-out certificate
If moving from another municipality, obtain a moving-out certificate from your current city hall.
- 3
Visit new city hall
Go to the resident registration counter at your new municipality.
- 4
Submit the notification
Fill out and submit the moving-in notification form with your documents.
- 5
Receive updated residence card
Your residence card will be updated with your new address sticker.
- 6
Proceed to NHI and pension
Enroll in health insurance and pension at the same city hall.
FAQ
Can someone else submit the moving-in notification on my behalf?
What if I miss the 14-day deadline?
Do I need to register if I am staying in a hotel or share house temporarily?
Can I register my address at a friend's house?
Compare Budget SIM Cards
Compare Budget SIM Cards →Related Procedures
Resident Registration — Prefectures
Find resident registration information specific to your area: