Zairyu NaviJAPAN LIFE GUIDE
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🏠 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.

छिटो उत्तर

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?

छिटो उत्तर

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

🏥
Health Insurance
Determines your NHI municipalityRead guide →
 💴
Local Taxes
Where you pay resident taxRead guide →
 🏦
Pension
Your pension enrollment locationRead guide →
 👶
Childcare & Benefits
Eligibility for local subsidiesRead guide →

Types of Notifications

TypeJapaneseWhen to Use
Moving-in転入届 / tennyuu todokeMoving from overseas or another municipality
Moving-out転出届 / tenshutsu todokeLeaving for another municipality in Japan
Change of Address転居届 / tenkyo todokeMoving within the same municipality

How to Submit a Moving-In Notification

छिटो उत्तर

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.

ItemDetails
📍 WhereResident registration counter (市民課 / 住民課) at city hall
🕐 HoursMonday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (some offer Saturday morning)
⏰ DeadlineWithin 14 days of moving in
⏱ Processing15-30 minutes at the counter

Step-by-Step Process

1
Prepare Your Documents
Gather residence card, passport, My Number card, and moving-out certificate (if applicable)
↓
2
Visit City Hall
Go to the resident registration counter (shimin-ka / jumin-ka)
↓
3
Fill Out the Notification Form
Name, nationality, DOB, previous and new address. Multilingual forms may be available
↓
4
Submit and Wait
Staff processes your notification (15-30 minutes)
↓
✓
Receive Updated Residence Card
New address sticker printed on the back. Check for accuracy before leaving

Required Documents

📄
Residence Card
在留カード
📕
Passport
パスポート
🔢
My Number Card
マイナンバーカード or notification letter
📋
Moving-out Certificate
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.

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Moving Within the Same Municipality

छिटो उत्तर

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.

1
Visit City Hall
Go to the resident registration counter
↓
2
Submit Change of Address Notification
転居届 / tenkyo todoke — bring your residence card and My Number card
↓
✓
Address Updated
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

छिटो उत्तर

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.

बैंक खाता तुलना

बैंक खाता तुलना →

My Number and Resident Registration

छिटो उत्तर

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

छिटो उत्तर

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)

🏥
Enroll in NHI
If not covered by employer insuranceRead guide →
 🏦
Enroll in Pension
At the pension counter if applicableRead guide →
 👶
Childcare Services
Nursery, child allowance, vaccinationRead guide →
 🗑️
Garbage Guide
Get the local sorting and schedule rulesRead guide →

Within the First Month

💰
Open a Bank Account
Your updated residence card proves your addressRead guide →
 📱
Get a SIM Card
Mobile phone with a Japanese numberRead guide →
 📮
Post Office & Mail
Set up mail forwarding if neededRead guide →
 🚨
Disaster Prevention Info
Familiarize yourself with local shelters and alertsRead guide →

आवश्यक प्रक्रिया जाँच गर्नुहोस्

आवश्यक प्रक्रिया जाँच गर्नुहोस् →

चरणहरू

  1. 1

    Gather documents

    Prepare your residence card, passport, and My Number card or notification.

  2. 2

    Get moving-out certificate

    If moving from another municipality, obtain a moving-out certificate from your current city hall.

  3. 3

    Visit new city hall

    Go to the resident registration counter at your new municipality.

  4. 4

    Submit the notification

    Fill out and submit the moving-in notification form with your documents.

  5. 5

    Receive updated residence card

    Your residence card will be updated with your new address sticker.

  6. 6

    Proceed to NHI and pension

    Enroll in health insurance and pension at the same city hall.

बारम्बार सोधिने प्रश्नहरू

Can someone else submit the moving-in notification on my behalf?
Yes. A household member or a designated representative can submit the notification with a power of attorney (委任状). The representative needs to bring their own ID, the power of attorney, and all the required documents.
What if I miss the 14-day deadline?
Submit the notification as soon as possible. While the law allows for a fine of up to 50,000 yen for late submission, municipalities typically process late notifications without penalty if the delay is not excessive.
Do I need to register if I am staying in a hotel or share house temporarily?
If you are staying temporarily (e.g., in a hotel while apartment hunting), you do not need to register that address. Once you move into your actual residence, register that address within 14 days.
Can I register my address at a friend's house?
You can register at any address where you actually reside, including a room in a friend's home. However, you should have the agreement of the household head, and the registration should reflect your actual living situation.

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