Resident registration at the city office · Living in Japan

Resident Registration · Moving-In Notification (City/Ward Office)

The first mandatory administrative procedure after arrival: take your residence card to the city or ward office responsible for your address and file a “転入届” (moving-in notification) to complete your resident registration. This is the key step for everything that follows—opening a bank account, getting a phone, enrolling in National Health Insurance, pension procedures, and receiving your My Number notification letter. The 14-day deadline also does not start on the day you arrive in Japan.

First, clear up three myths that can easily mislead you

Myth 1: The 14 days start counting from “the day you arrive in Japan”
That is incorrect. The 14-day period for reporting your residence / filing a 転入届 starts on the day you “settle and actually begin living at that address,” not the moment your plane lands. If you spend the first few days in a hotel, at a friend’s home, or in short-term accommodation, or have not secured a permanent address, do not register an address that you will immediately change. The safest approach is to register at the ward or city office once you have a formal dormitory or rental address where you can receive mail.
NoteWhen moving into Japan from abroad, completing the resident-move procedure at the municipal office is also legally treated as completing the 「住居地届出」 required under the Immigration Control Act—one visit takes care of both.
Myth 2: The “個人番号通知書” is a My Number Card and can be used as ID
That is incorrect. About 2–3 weeks after resident registration Guide, you will receive a 「個人番号通知書」 by 「簡易書留」 (registered mail). It only tells you your number and cannot be used as ID. To get a physical 「マイナンバーカード」 with a photo that can verify your identity, you must apply separately and then book an appointment to collect it at the designated location after the delivery notice arrives.
NoteThe notice is delivered by 「簡易書留」 to the address on your resident record, not as ordinary advertising mail. If no one is home for delivery, it is returned to the post office; missing the pickup deadline causes trouble. Make sure your name is on the mailbox.
Myth 3: You have to make several trips to handle resident registration, National Health Insurance, pension, and My Number procedures
Most of these procedures can be combined, but do not assume that “everything can be done in one visit to the municipal office.” During the same visit to report your move at the municipal counter, you can usually also enroll in National Health Insurance and ask about and complete the next steps for My Number. National Pension is overseen by the 「年金事務所（日本年金機構）」. Many municipalities’ pension counters can accept the enrollment notice and 「学生納付特例」 application, but if you need details or are unsure, going directly to the pension office for your area is the safest option. Prepare your documents in advance to avoid repeat visits.
NoteCounter responsibilities, whether you need to take another number, and whether the pension application can be accepted on the spot vary by municipality To verify. When you arrive, ask the general information desk: 「転入と国保、年金の手続きは今日どこまでできますか」.

Steps for filing a 転入届 (checklist)Official

Register only after confirming that your address is ready for you to live at and receive mail
The address you register at the municipal office must be where you “actually live and can receive mail.” On the day you get the keys, check the street address and room number, make sure your name is on the mailbox, and confirm that the address on the contract matches the wording on the actual door plate and room number.
1. Check that the address on the back of your 在留カード matches your actual address.
2. Put your name on the mailbox and door plate so you can receive the My Number notice and bank mail sent by registered post.
3. If the address on your contract is written differently from the actual door plate or room number, first check the correct format with the management company.
Watch outNo name on the mailbox → you will not receive the My Number notice or registered bank mail, and all the procedures that depend on them will be held up.
Prepare the required documents and go to the city or ward office responsible for your address
Go to the municipal office for the city, ward, town, or village where your new address is located (e.g. 住民課 or 戸籍住民課). Bring your identity and residence documents; do not bring only your passport and forget your 在留カード.
1. 在留カード (you must bring your own)
2. Passport
3. If needed: rental contract / proof of move-in and identity documents
4. If moving from another municipality: 「転出証明書」 issued by the office at your old address (see the next item)
5. For National Health Insurance and pension procedures at the same time: bring your student ID or certificate of enrollment and My Number documents if available.
Watch outA common pitfall: bringing a passport but forgetting the 在留カード. The 在留カード is the key document for this procedure.
File a “転入届” at the counter to complete your resident registration
Fill out the 転入届. Once the counter accepts it, your resident registration is complete. When moving into Japan from abroad, this also counts as filing your 住居地届出; the counter will record or update your address on the back of your 在留カード.
1. At the general information desk, say 「海外から転入」 or 「他市区町村から転入」.
2. Fill out the 転入届 (ask the counter for help or request multilingual support if needed).
3. Check that your new address is correctly recorded on the back of your 在留カード.
4. While you are there, ask about National Health Insurance enrollment, National Pension (overseen by the 年金事務所; some municipal counters can accept applications), the next steps for the student payment deferment, and follow-up for the My Number notice/card.
Watch outThe most common missed step is remembering to report to school but forgetting to go to the ward office. Missing the legal 14-day deadline violates the Basic Resident Registration Act and can hold up National Health Insurance, pension, banking, and mobile service procedures.
moj.go.jp
While you’re there, ask about National Health Insurance + pension + My Number
Once your resident registration is established, you enter the National Health Insurance and National Pension systems and will receive My Number notices over time. While you are still at the municipal office, ask where to go and what to do next for all three. National Health Insurance and My Number are usually handled at the municipal office; the responsible agency for the pension is the 「年金事務所（日本年金機構）」.
1. National Health Insurance: enroll at the ward/city office’s insurance counter (in Japan, residents without another form of health insurance are generally required to enroll; the starting point is usually an established resident record and a status of residence longer than three months).
2. National Pension: anyone aged 20 or older who is not enrolled in Employees’ Pension Insurance must enroll in National Pension. The responsible agency is the 「年金事務所（日本年金機構）」. Many municipal pension counters can accept enrollment and 「学生納付特例」 applications, but call your pension office before applying to confirm whether the municipality can accept the application and which documents are needed. The student payment exception must be applied for again each year To verify.
3. My Number: ask the municipal office how the 「個人番号通知書」 will be delivered and whether you should apply for a physical マイナンバーカード.
Watch outMany municipalities require you to file a resident tax return first to receive the National Health Insurance “low-income reduction” (even if you had no income); it is not automatically half-price. Students aged 20 or older will still receive pension bills if they do not apply for the student payment exception. See the dedicated National Health Insurance and pension pages for details.
mhlw.go.jp nenkin.go.jp kojinbango-card.go.jp

Moving between municipalities: the sequence from 転出届 to 転入届

If you are moving from another municipality in Japan—not from overseas (for example, because you are changing schools or cities)—the process goes both ways: ① First, file a “転出届” (moving-out notification) at the office for your old address and obtain a “転出証明書” (moving-out certificate). ② Then, file a “転入届” at the office for your new address using the moving-out certificate (also within 14 days). If you skip the moving-out procedure at your old location, your move-in registration at the new location will not match up, and your National Health Insurance, pension, and residence-card address records may become inconsistent.

Keep the knock-on effects in mind: for National Health Insurance, your eligibility at the old location ends and you must enroll again at the new one. Don’t assume that “National Health Insurance is nationwide, so I don’t need to switch.” You must also update the address on the back of your residence card within 14 days (this is required under the Immigration Control Act and late updates may be subject to penalties; people often complete only the municipal-office procedure). Pension procedures are relatively simple: if your My Number is linked to your Basic Pension Number, in many cases you generally do not need to report an address change separately to the pension service. If they are not linked or you are in a specific situation, you may still need to report it separately To verify. In short: when you move, always check National Health Insurance with both the old and new municipalities. Pension information usually follows your resident registration, but whether you need to report separately depends on whether your numbers are linked.

Official procedure links

Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Notification of place of residence · Address change proceduresOfficial guidance on filing a 転入届 as a notification of place of residence (mid- to long-term residents)
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: National Health Insurance (including the medical care system for people aged 75 and over)National Health Insurance coverage, the 14-day notification requirement, and criteria for reductions for low-income households.
Japan Pension Service: Special Payment System for StudentsApplication to defer pension contributions for students aged 20 and over (must be renewed every year)
Japan Pension Service: Nationwide consultation and procedure offices (pension offices)Find the responsible offices and service areas for National Pension enrollment and applications under the Special Payment System for Students
My Number Card: 個人番号通知書The difference between the notification and the physical card, and how they are delivered
My Number Card: Application · IssuanceHow to apply for and collect the physical card

Japanese phrasebook · What to say at the counterOfficial

転入届てんにゅうとどけ

Moving-in notification: After moving to a new address, report your resident registration to the municipality responsible for that address—the key step for everything that follows, including opening a bank account, getting a phone, and National Health Insurance.

What to say at the counter転入届を出したいです。

転出証明書てんしゅつしょうめいしょ

Moving-out certificate: A certificate issued by the office for your old address when you move between municipalities, which you must submit when registering at your new address (not required when moving from overseas).

What to say at the counter転出証明書を持ってきました。

住民票じゅうみんひょう

Certificate of residence: An official record of information including your address. You often need a “写し” (copy) when opening a bank account or signing a contract.

What to say at the counter住民票の写しが一通ほしいです。

住居地届出じゅうきょちとどけで

Address notification: The address notification required under the Immigration Control Act. When moving from overseas, filing a “転入” at the municipal office also completes this notification.

個人番号通知書こじんばんごうつうちしょ

Individual Number notification letter: A letter sent after resident registration to inform you of your My Number—it cannot be used as ID.

マイナンバーカード

My Number Card: A physical card with a photo that can be used to verify your identity. You must apply separately and make a separate appointment to collect it (it is different from the notification card mentioned above).

国民健康保険こくみんけんこうほけん

National Health Insurance: Public health insurance for residents who do not have other health coverage. Enroll at the National Health Insurance counter at the municipal office.

What to say at the counter国民健康保険に加入したいです。

Practice Scenario: A Back-and-Forth at the Counter (Read Along with the Furigana)Experience

① General information · take a number

すみません、転入届てんにゅうとどけの手続てつづきはどこですか？

Excuse me, where do I file a moving-in notification?

受付うけつけの窓口まどぐちです。発券機はっけんきで番号札ばんごうふだをお取とりください。

At the service counter. Please take a queue ticket from the ticket machine.

② Service counter · explain your request

転入届てんにゅうとどけを出だしたいです。海外かいがいから来きました。

I’d like to file a moving-in notification. I’ve come from overseas.

在留ざいりゅうカードはお持もちですか？

Do you have your residence card with you?

③ Procedure · show your documents and fill out the forms

はい、これです。

Yes, here it is.

ありがとうございます。こちらの転入届てんにゅうとどけに記入きにゅうしてください。

Thank you. Please fill out this moving-in notification form.

④ While you are there · National Health Insurance and pension

国民健康保険こくみんけんこうほけんと年金ねんきんも、今日きょうここで手続てつづきできますか？

Can I also sign up for National Health Insurance and pension here today?

国民健康保険こくみんけんこうほけんはこの窓口まどぐちでできます。年金ねんきんは隣となりの窓口まどぐちへどうぞ。

You can sign up for National Health Insurance at this counter; for pension, please go to the counter next door.

⑤ Confirm · My Number notice

わかりました。マイナンバーの通知つうちはいつ届とどきますか？

Understood. When will the My Number notification arrive?

2〜3週間しゅうかんほどで、簡易書留かんいかきとめで郵送ゆうそうされます。

In about 2-3 weeks. It will be sent by registered mail requiring receipt confirmation.

Resident Registration · Moving-In Notification (City/Ward Office)

First, clear up three myths that can easily mislead you

Myth 1: The 14 days start counting from “the day you arrive in Japan”

That is incorrect. The 14-day period for reporting your residence / filing a 転入届 starts on the day you “settle and actually begin living at that address,” not the moment your plane lands. If you spend the first few days in a hotel, at a friend’s home, or in short-term accommodation, or have not secured a permanent address, do not register an address that you will immediately change. The safest approach is to register at the ward or city office once you have a formal dormitory or rental address where you can receive mail.

NoteWhen moving into Japan from abroad, completing the resident-move procedure at the municipal office is also legally treated as completing the 「住居地届出」 required under the Immigration Control Act—one visit takes care of both.

Myth 2: The “個人番号通知書” is a My Number Card and can be used as ID

That is incorrect. About 2–3 weeks after resident registration Guide, you will receive a 「個人番号通知書」 by 「簡易書留」 (registered mail). It only tells you your number and cannot be used as ID. To get a physical 「マイナンバーカード」 with a photo that can verify your identity, you must apply separately and then book an appointment to collect it at the designated location after the delivery notice arrives.

NoteThe notice is delivered by 「簡易書留」 to the address on your resident record, not as ordinary advertising mail. If no one is home for delivery, it is returned to the post office; missing the pickup deadline causes trouble. Make sure your name is on the mailbox.

Myth 3: You have to make several trips to handle resident registration, National Health Insurance, pension, and My Number procedures

Most of these procedures can be combined, but do not assume that “everything can be done in one visit to the municipal office.” During the same visit to report your move at the municipal counter, you can usually also enroll in National Health Insurance and ask about and complete the next steps for My Number. National Pension is overseen by the 「年金事務所（日本年金機構）」. Many municipalities’ pension counters can accept the enrollment notice and 「学生納付特例」 application, but if you need details or are unsure, going directly to the pension office for your area is the safest option. Prepare your documents in advance to avoid repeat visits.

NoteCounter responsibilities, whether you need to take another number, and whether the pension application can be accepted on the spot vary by municipality To verify. When you arrive, ask the general information desk: 「転入と国保、年金の手続きは今日どこまでできますか」.

Steps for filing a 転入届 (checklist)Official

The address you register at the municipal office must be where you “actually live and can receive mail.” On the day you get the keys, check the street address and room number, make sure your name is on the mailbox, and confirm that the address on the contract matches the wording on the actual door plate and room number.

Check that the address on the back of your 在留カード matches your actual address.
Put your name on the mailbox and door plate so you can receive the My Number notice and bank mail sent by registered post.
If the address on your contract is written differently from the actual door plate or room number, first check the correct format with the management company.

Watch outNo name on the mailbox → you will not receive the My Number notice or registered bank mail, and all the procedures that depend on them will be held up.

Prepare the required documents and go to the city or ward office responsible for your address

Go to the municipal office for the city, ward, town, or village where your new address is located (e.g. 住民課 or 戸籍住民課). Bring your identity and residence documents; do not bring only your passport and forget your 在留カード.

在留カード (you must bring your own)
Passport
If needed: rental contract / proof of move-in and identity documents
If moving from another municipality: 「転出証明書」 issued by the office at your old address (see the next item)
For National Health Insurance and pension procedures at the same time: bring your student ID or certificate of enrollment and My Number documents if available.

Watch outA common pitfall: bringing a passport but forgetting the 在留カード. The 在留カード is the key document for this procedure.

File a “転入届” at the counter to complete your resident registration

Fill out the 転入届. Once the counter accepts it, your resident registration is complete. When moving into Japan from abroad, this also counts as filing your 住居地届出; the counter will record or update your address on the back of your 在留カード.

At the general information desk, say 「海外から転入」 or 「他市区町村から転入」.
Fill out the 転入届 (ask the counter for help or request multilingual support if needed).
Check that your new address is correctly recorded on the back of your 在留カード.
While you are there, ask about National Health Insurance enrollment, National Pension (overseen by the 年金事務所; some municipal counters can accept applications), the next steps for the student payment deferment, and follow-up for the My Number notice/card.

Watch outThe most common missed step is remembering to report to school but forgetting to go to the ward office. Missing the legal 14-day deadline violates the Basic Resident Registration Act and can hold up National Health Insurance, pension, banking, and mobile service procedures.

moj.go.jp

While you’re there, ask about National Health Insurance + pension + My Number

Once your resident registration is established, you enter the National Health Insurance and National Pension systems and will receive My Number notices over time. While you are still at the municipal office, ask where to go and what to do next for all three. National Health Insurance and My Number are usually handled at the municipal office; the responsible agency for the pension is the 「年金事務所（日本年金機構）」.

National Health Insurance: enroll at the ward/city office’s insurance counter (in Japan, residents without another form of health insurance are generally required to enroll; the starting point is usually an established resident record and a status of residence longer than three months).
National Pension: anyone aged 20 or older who is not enrolled in Employees’ Pension Insurance must enroll in National Pension. The responsible agency is the 「年金事務所（日本年金機構）」. Many municipal pension counters can accept enrollment and 「学生納付特例」 applications, but call your pension office before applying to confirm whether the municipality can accept the application and which documents are needed. The student payment exception must be applied for again each year To verify.
My Number: ask the municipal office how the 「個人番号通知書」 will be delivered and whether you should apply for a physical マイナンバーカード.

Watch outMany municipalities require you to file a resident tax return first to receive the National Health Insurance “low-income reduction” (even if you had no income); it is not automatically half-price. Students aged 20 or older will still receive pension bills if they do not apply for the student payment exception. See the dedicated National Health Insurance and pension pages for details.

mhlw.go.jp nenkin.go.jp kojinbango-card.go.jp

Moving between municipalities: the sequence from 転出届 to 転入届

Japanese phrasebook · What to say at the counterOfficial

転入届てんにゅうとどけ

What to say at the counter転入届を出したいです。

転出証明書てんしゅつしょうめいしょ

What to say at the counter転出証明書を持ってきました。

住民票じゅうみんひょう

Certificate of residence: An official record of information including your address. You often need a “写し” (copy) when opening a bank account or signing a contract.

What to say at the counter住民票の写しが一通ほしいです。

住居地届出じゅうきょちとどけで

Address notification: The address notification required under the Immigration Control Act. When moving from overseas, filing a “転入” at the municipal office also completes this notification.

個人番号通知書こじんばんごうつうちしょ

Individual Number notification letter: A letter sent after resident registration to inform you of your My Number—it cannot be used as ID.

マイナンバーカード

国民健康保険こくみんけんこうほけん

National Health Insurance: Public health insurance for residents who do not have other health coverage. Enroll at the National Health Insurance counter at the municipal office.

What to say at the counter国民健康保険に加入したいです。

Practice Scenario: A Back-and-Forth at the Counter (Read Along with the Furigana)Experience

① General information · take a number

すみません、転入届てんにゅうとどけの手続てつづきはどこですか？

Excuse me, where do I file a moving-in notification?

受付うけつけの窓口まどぐちです。発券機はっけんきで番号札ばんごうふだをお取とりください。

At the service counter. Please take a queue ticket from the ticket machine.

② Service counter · explain your request

転入届てんにゅうとどけを出だしたいです。海外かいがいから来きました。

I’d like to file a moving-in notification. I’ve come from overseas.

在留ざいりゅうカードはお持もちですか？

Do you have your residence card with you?

③ Procedure · show your documents and fill out the forms

はい、これです。

Yes, here it is.

ありがとうございます。こちらの転入届てんにゅうとどけに記入きにゅうしてください。

Thank you. Please fill out this moving-in notification form.

④ While you are there · National Health Insurance and pension

国民健康保険こくみんけんこうほけんと年金ねんきんも、今日きょうここで手続てつづきできますか？

Can I also sign up for National Health Insurance and pension here today?

国民健康保険こくみんけんこうほけんはこの窓口まどぐちでできます。年金ねんきんは隣となりの窓口まどぐちへどうぞ。

You can sign up for National Health Insurance at this counter; for pension, please go to the counter next door.

⑤ Confirm · My Number notice

わかりました。マイナンバーの通知つうちはいつ届とどきますか？

Understood. When will the My Number notification arrive?

2〜3週間しゅうかんほどで、簡易書留かんいかきとめで郵送ゆうそうされます。

In about 2-3 weeks. It will be sent by registered mail requiring receipt confirmation.