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Update：September 12, 2008

Foreign Resident Registration

Persons who enter Japan as foreign nationals and those who obtain foreign citizenship while in Japan are required to register as foreign residents. Foreign resident registration is considered to be official certification for residing in Japan by clarifying the holder’s status and place of residence. It is also necessary for obtaining various administrative services.

1. Initial registration

When an individual remains in Japan longer than the period listed below, he or she is required to register as a foreign resident.

■Procedure: Persons 16 years of age and older should apply in person at the Residence Section of the town, while persons under 16 should have a cohabiting adult relative apply on their behalf.

Types of registration	Items to be submitted or presented	Application period
①Upon entering Japan	・Passport ・Two photographs (4.5 cm x 3.5cm) *Photographs are not necessary for persons under 16 years of age ＊See figure 1	No later than 90 days after entering Japan
②Upon the birth of a child	・Certificate proving that birth was reported to local government or birth certificate issued by attending physician	No later than 60 days after the birth takes place
③Upon renunciation of Japanese citizenship	・Certificate of renunciation of Japanese citizenship or certificate of obtaining other citizenship ・Two photographs (4.5 cm x 3.5cm) *Photographs are not necessary for persons under 16 years of age ＊See figure 1	No later than 60 days after renouncing citizenship

Certificate of Foreign Resident Registration

A foreign resident registration certificate will be issued after initial registration has been completed. This certificate must be carried at all times in accordance with the law. (Except for foreign residents under the age of 16)

2. Amending items in foreign resident registration certificate

In the event that the registrant’s name, place of employment, or other registered items change, the registrant is required to report such changes to the Residence Section.

■Reporting period: No later than 14 days after the changes take effect

■Necessary items: Foreign resident registration certificate and the following

Types of registration	Items to be submitted or presented
①With regards to changes in residence status or period of extension approved by the Immigration Bureau	・Passport with permit stamp OR certificate of residents status
②With regards to change of occupation or place of employment (it is not necessary to report such changes if your status is permanent resident or special permanent resident)	・Proof that indicated changes of occupation or place of employment
③With regards to change of citizenship	・Documents issued by relevant authorities, such as certificate of citizenship or passport ・Two photographs (4.5 cm x 3.5cm) *Photographs are not necessary for persons under 16 years of age) ＊See figure 1
④With regards to a change of name	・Documents issued by relevant authorities, such as a copy of family register or passport ・Two photographs (4.5 cm x 3.5cm) *Photographs are not necessary for persons under 16 years of age ＊See figure 1

*In the case of and stated above, cohabiting adult relatives can also complete an application.

3. Change of residence

Registrants must report their new residential address at the local government office of the community they newly reside in either in person or through a cohabiting adult relative.

■Reporting period: No later than 14 days after moving

■Necessary items: Foreign resident registration certificate

4. Application for reissue of foreign resident registration certificate

In the event that one’s foreign resident registration certificate is lost or stolen the registrant must report the loss or theft to the Residence Section and apply for a new certificate.

■Procedures: Persons 16 years of age and older should apply in person at the local government office, while persons under 16 should have a cohabiting adult relative apply on their behalf.

■Application period: No later than 14 days after you recognize that your certificate has been lost or stolen

■Necessary items for application

　①Passport

　②Two photographs (4.5 cm x 3.5cm)

*Photographs are not necessary for persons under 16 years of age

＊See figure 1

　③Written explanation of why the certificate needs to be reissued (including what happened to original certificate.)

　④Other proof for facts which the Mayor of the town regards as necessary (such as police report of theft, report of fire, etc.)

5. Application for replacement of foreign resident registration certificate

In the event that a foreign resident registration certificate is badly damaged, the registrant may apply for a replacement at the Residence Section.

■Procedures: Person 16 years of age and older should apply in person at the local government office, while persons under 16 should have a cohabiting adult relative apply on their behalf.

■Necessary items for application

　①Foreign resident registration certificate

　②Passport

　③Two photographs (4.5 cm x 3.5cm)

*Photographs are not necessary for persons under 16 years of age

＊See figure 1

If any of the following situations apply, the registrant should apply for a replacement.

lThe back side of the certificate does not have any more room for amendments.

lThe registrant changes his or her name and/or citizenship.

lWhen a correction is made in registered items related to name, birth date, gender, or citizenship.

*When applying for reissue or replacement of foreign resident registration certificate, new items will be checked against items already registered by the mayor.

6. Application for confirmation (renewal)

For registrants 16 years of age or older-------------------------

The date for renewal is written on the foreign resident registration certificate. Registrants are required to apply for renewal no later then 30 days after the date indicated.

For registrants who will turn 16 years of age----------------------

The registrant will apply for confirmation in person no later than 30 days following his or her 16th birthday.

■Necessary items for application

　①Foreign resident registration certificate

　②Passport

　③Two photographs (4.5 cm x 3.5cm)

*Photographs are not necessary for persons under 16 years of age

＊See figure 1

Following the application for confirmation, a new foreign resident registration certificate will be issued.

7. Return of foreign resident registration certificate

If any of the following situations apply, the foreign resident registration certificate must be returned.

■Upon leaving Japan

The foreign resident will surrender the foreign resident registration certificate to an immigration officer at the port of departure. This does not apply in cases where the foreign resident is carrying a re-entry visa.

■Death

A cohabiting family member or other representative of the deceased resident will bring the certificate to the Residence Section no later than 14 days after the death has been reported. The representative must bring a death certificate to the office along with the certificate.

■Upon attaining Japanese citizenship

A resident who attains Japanese citizenship will surrender his or her certificate to the Residence Section no later than 14 days after attaining citizenship. He or she will also bring documents attesting to Japanese citizenship or identification as a naturalized citizen.

8. Proof of circumstances recorded in foreign resident registration

Such proof of certification and identification confirmed by the town mayor, including status and place of residence, will be issued under the following circumstances.

①Only to the registered person or cohabiting adult family members

②In the event that a representative of the registered person requests a copy of the registered person’s registration information, the representative must submit a letter of proxy written by the registered person, or a proxy selection report. Cohabiting family members do not require proxy documents. In either case, however, the requesting party must present proof of identity and place of residence.

③Reason for requesting such information, as well as the party to whom it will be submitted, must be given.

④A handling fee will be charged.

*Under what circumstances does someone need to request such proof?

　àSuch proof is often needed for buying or selling an automobile, for obtaining a visa, for gaining a re-entry visa into Japan, and for reporting a marriage.

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