Moving to a new home in Japan means more than packing boxes — you are legally required to complete a change of address notification at your city hall (or ward office) within 14 days of moving in. For foreign residents, this update also changes the address printed on your residence card. Missing this step can cause problems with your bank, employer, and even your visa status. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to get it done smoothly.
Why Updating Your Address at City Hall Matters
Japan requires all residents — Japanese and foreign — to be registered at their current address through the jūminhyō (resident register) system. As a foreign resident, your address is also recorded on your zairyu card (residence card). Keeping both records up to date is not optional; it is a legal obligation under the Immigration Control Act. Failing to update within 14 days can technically result in a fine or complications at your next visa renewal.
Beyond the legal side, your registered address is tied to almost everything in daily life: bank accounts, My Number correspondence, health insurance, and pension records. Updating it promptly saves you headaches later.
What You Need to Prepare Before You Go
Gathering the right documents before you visit will save you from making a second trip. The following is a general guide — always confirm the exact requirements with your local city or ward office, as they can vary slightly.
- Your residence card (zairyu card) — the office will update the address on the back
- Your passport — for identity verification
- The address of your new home — write it down in Japanese if possible, or show it on your phone
- Your previous address details — the office may ask which city or ward you were registered in before
- The move-in date — the actual date you started living at the new address
If you are moving within the same city or ward, you only need to file one form (a change-of-address within the ward). If you are moving from a different city or ward, the process involves two steps: a move-out notification (転出届, tenshutssu-todoke) at your old office and a move-in notification (転入届, tennyu-todoke) at your new one. Read on for details.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Address at City Hall
Step 1 — Notify Your Old City or Ward Office (If Moving Across Municipalities)
Before you move, or within a reasonable time after, visit the city or ward office where you are currently registered. Request the move-out certificate (転出証明書, tenshutssu-shomeisho). This document proves you have deregistered from your old address and is required when you register at your new location. You can sometimes submit this by post; check your old office's website for details.
If you are moving within the same city or ward, skip this step entirely — you only need to visit one office.
Step 2 — Visit Your New City or Ward Office
Go to the resident affairs counter (市民課 or 住民登録窓口) at the city hall, ward office, or in some areas a branch office near your new home. Look for signs saying 住民登録 or 転入手続き. Staff at larger offices in cities with many foreign residents often speak basic English, but it helps to bring your documents clearly organized.
Step 3 — Fill In the Notification Form
Ask for the move-in notification form (転入届) or change-of-address form (転居届 if within the same municipality). The form asks for your name, old address, new address, move-in date, and household members. Many offices provide a form with furigana (phonetic guides), which makes it easier to fill out even with limited Japanese. Do not hesitate to ask staff for help — this is a routine task for them.
Step 4 — Submit Your Documents and Residence Card
Hand over your completed form, residence card, passport, and move-out certificate (if applicable). The staff member will process your registration and stamp or write your new address on the back of your residence card on the spot. This usually takes around 15–30 minutes, though busy offices can take longer.
Step 5 — Collect Your Updated Residence Card
Double-check that the new address on the back of your residence card is correct before you leave the counter. Keep this card safe — you will need it for bank visits, contract changes, and more.
After Your Address Change: What Else to Update
Changing your official registration is just the first step. Here is a checklist of other places you will likely need to notify:
- Your bank — most Japanese banks require your registered address to match their records; visit a branch or update online
- Health insurance — if you are on National Health Insurance (国民健康保険), notify the same city hall counter; company insurance holders should inform their HR department
- Pension office (nenkin) — update through your employer or directly at the city hall
- My Number card — if you have one, bring it to city hall to update the address chip at the same visit
- Japan Post — submit a mail forwarding request (転送届) online or at a post office so mail reaches your new address
- Mobile phone provider — log in to your account page or visit a shop
- Money transfer services — services such as Wise or Remitly may require an updated address for compliance; check your account settings
Helpful Tips for Foreign Residents
- Bring a bilingual friend or use a translation app if you are not confident in Japanese — staff are generally patient and used to helping foreign residents.
- Weekday mornings tend to be less busy than lunchtimes or late afternoons.
- Some larger ward offices offer English-language forms or have multilingual staff. Check your ward office's website in advance.
- The whole process is free of charge for the standard address change notification.
- If you cannot visit in person, some procedures allow a designated representative with a letter of authorization (委任状, inin-jo). Confirm this option with your specific office.
Summary: Change of Address in Japan Made Simple
Completing your change of address notification at city hall is a straightforward process once you know what to bring and what to expect. The key points to remember: do it within 14 days of moving in, bring your residence card and passport, and get the updated address stamped on your residence card before you leave. If you are crossing into a new municipality, pick up your move-out certificate first.
Once your official registration is sorted, work through the checklist above to update your bank, insurance, and other services. It may feel like a lot of admin, but taking care of it early means one less thing to worry about as you settle into your new home in Japan. You've got this — one step at a time.