
- Under the residency management system, mid to long term residents in Japan will be entered into Japan’s Basic Residence Registration System.
- Mid to long term residents must notify the Municipal Office within 14 days of a change in their address.
- The Municipal Office will print the registered address on the back of the residence card.
After Arriving in Japan the First Time
- Within 14 days of arriving in Japan notify the Municipal Office where you live that you have moved into a residence.
Procedures
- Prepare the following items:
- Passport
- Residence Card
- Your name in katakana (カタカナ)
- Your address and room number
- Optional: document to help explain to the Municipal Office what you want to do in Japanese
- Go to the Municipal Office.
- Fill in the Residence Notification form at the Municipal Office.
- Present the items above.
- Wait for the Municipal Office to list your address on the back of your residence card.
- Receive your residence card with your address now listed on the back. Finished, register in the National Health Insurance.
- Note: some Municipal Offices may complete the National Health Insurance registration procedures while completing the address notification procedures.
- Later, check your mail. You will receive an Individual Number Notification Report. You will need to make sure to hold on to this.

Moving Within Japan, Within the Same Municipal
- Residents moving within the same ward will need to notify their Municipal Office of the change in their address within 14 days of their move.
Procedures
- Prepare the following items:
- Passport
- Residence Card
- Individual Number Card, if you have one
- Your name in katakana (カタカナ)
- Your address before and after moving
- Optional: document to help explain to the Municipal Office what you want to do in Japanese
- Go to the Municipal Office.
- Fill in the Residence Notification form at the Municipal Office.
- Present the items above.
- Wait for the Municipal Office to list your address on the back of your residence card.
- Receive your residence card with your address now listed on the back.
- Submit the Status of Residence / Part-time Job Notification Form to JUIC with your updated address and notify your academic affairs department of the change in your address.
Moving Within Japan, to a Different Municipal
- Residents moving to another ward will need to notify their current Municipal Office and notify the Municipal Office of the ward that they are moving into of the change in their address within 14 days of their move.
Procedures
- You will need to go to:
- the municipal office where your address is registered before moving and
- the municipal office where your address will be registered after moving.
Municipal Office: Before Moving
- Prepare the following items:
- Passport
- Residence Card
- Individual Number Card, if you have one
- Your name in katakana (カタカナ)
- Your address before and after moving
- Optional: document to help explain to the Municipal Office what you want to do in Japanese
- Go to the Municipal Office.
- Fill in the Residence Notification form at the Municipal Office.
- Present the items above.
- Receive a Moving-Out Certificate from the Municipal Office.
Municipal Office: After Moving
- Prepare the following items:
- Passport
- Residence Card
- Individual Number Card, if you have one
- Your name in katakana (カタカナ)
- Your address before and after moving
- Your new address and room number
- Moving-Out Certificate
- Optional: document to help explain to the Municipal Office what you want to do in Japanese
- Go to the Municipal Office.
- Fill in the Residence Notification form at the Municipal Office.
- Present the items above.
- Wait for the Municipal Office to list your address on the back of your residence card.
- Receive your residence card with your address now listed on the back.
- Submit the Status of Residence / Part-time Job Notification Form to JUIC with your updated address and notify your academic affairs department of the change in your address.
Leaving Japan
- Residents leaving Japan will need to notify the Municipal Office where they are currently registered of their plans to leave Japan within 14 days of leaving Japan.
Procedures
- Prepare the following items:
- Passport
- Residence Card
- Individual Number Card, if you have one
- Your name in katakana (カタカナ)
- Your address and room number
- Optional: document to help explain to the Municipal Office what you want to do in Japanese
- Go to the Municipal Office.
- Fill in the Residence Notification form at the Municipal Office.
- Present the items above.
- Finished, notify the National Health Insurance section in the Municipal Office that you are leaving Japan as well.
- Note: some Municipal Offices may complete the National Health Insurance procedures while completing the address notification procedures.