Registration

Family Registration

All foreigners living in Japan are obliged to register all births and deaths with the local authorities, in accordance with the Family Registration Law of Japan. Marriage or divorce can also be registered. Registration procedures for a marriage and divorce may vary depending on your nationality. For more details, please contact the Residents’ Affairs Division (Shiminka). In such cases, changes to alien registration as well as the necessary procedures at the city hall must be completed

Childbirth (Registering a Birth – “Shussantodoke”)

　Registration of birth and initial foreign registration must be carried out at the Residents’ Affairs Division of the city hall where your child was born. Application for the Child Medical Fee Subsidy or National Health Insurance (only available for children whose parents are covered by National Health Insurance) must be carried out at the Health Insurance and Pension Division.

Who can apply:

Father or mother only. (the person who filled out the “shussantodoke”)

When to Apply:

Within 14 days starting from the day of birth

Where to Apply:

Municipal Hall of the applicant’s registered place of residence, hometown, or birth municipality of the child.

　Necessary Documents

Proof of birth (shussan-shoumei-sho) – given at the hospital of birth, the left side is the “shussantodoke”
Mother and Child Health Booklet (boshi-teccho)
“Inkan” seal of the applicant
National Health Insurance Card (only necessary for people enrolled in National Health Insurance)

Death (Registering a Death)

Divorce and any subsequent change of residence must be registered at the Residents’ Affairs Division. For those who are already enrolled in National Health Insurance, the procedure to make changes in your National Health Insurance coverage must be completed at the Health Insurance and Pension Division.

Who can apply:

Husband or the wife.

When to apply:

The divorce is legally applicable as of the day of application.

Where to apply:

Municipal Hall of the husband/or wife’s registered place of residence or hometown.

Necessary Documents

Divorce Certificate (aka: “Rikon-todoke,” including signatures and Inkan stamps of two adult witnesses)
Inkan stamp of the applicant
Proof of Identity with photo. (Drivers License, etc.)
National Health Insurance Card (only for those enrolled)
If you are applying somewhere other than where your “Honseki” is (usually where you were born) you will also need a copy of you complete “Toseki”
If you are under aged you will also need your parent’s signature.

Registration of Seal (Inkan-Toroku)

In Japan, seals (“Inkan”) on which one’s given name and/or family name are inscribed are used as the equivalent of signatures in other countries. Seals that are registered with the local municipal authority are called “jitsuin”. Any transactions in which a jitsuin and its registration certificate (used to verify the authenticity of the jitsuin) are used are considered legally binding.
To register a seal, go to the Residents’ Affairs Division with the seal to be registered and your alien registration card. There are some types of inkan that cannot be registered. For details, please inquire at the Residents’ Affairs Division. After confirming the identity of the person presenting the seal, application for seal registration is possible, and a seal registration card (necessary in order to obtain a seal registration certificate) is issued on the spot. If you need a seal registration certificate, apply to the Residents’ Affairs Division and present the seal registration card. A fee will be charged.

Please be careful not to loose your registered Inkan or Inkan Registration Card as they will be used when moving, taking out loans, etc.

※The card can be printed upon registration.