๐ How to Change Address in Japan (Zairyu Card Address Update Guide for Foreigners)
๐ How to Change Your Address in Japan: A Complete Guide for Foreign Residents (Ward Office/City Hall)
If you move to a new residence within Japan, all foreign residents holding a Residence Card (Zairyu Card) are legally obligated to officially register their new address. This is a crucial procedure mandated by Japanese law.
Image of a Japanese City Hall Ward Office (ๅบๅฝนๆ - Kuyakusho)
๐ What is an Address Change (ไฝๅฑ ๅฐๅคๆด - Jลซkyochi Henkล)?
An address change, or *Jลซkyochi Henkล*, is the procedure of notifying your local government office (City Hall or Ward Office) of your new residential address after moving.
Upon completion, your new address will be officially recorded on the back side of your Residence Card (Zairyu Card). This procedure is required under the Basic Resident Registration Law for all foreign residents.
The back side of the Zairyu Card, where your new address will be written or printed.
⏰ Strict Deadline: The 14-Day Rule
The procedure must be completed at the local government office that has jurisdiction over your new address.
---๐ข Where to Go for the Procedure?
The address change procedure is conducted at one of the following local government offices:
- ๐ข Ward Office (ๅบๅฝนๆ - Kuyakusho)
In principle, no appointment is required. You should visit the office during its opening hours (typically weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM).
---๐ Types of Address Changes and Required Procedures
Depending on whether you move within the same municipality or to a different one, there are three types of address change notifications:
| Type | Situation | Notification Name (Japanese) | Where to File |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Moving In (่ปขๅ ฅ - Tennyลซ) | Moving from a different municipality (City/Ward/Town/Village) | Tennyลซ-todoke (่ปขๅ ฅๅฑ) | The office of your new address |
| 2. Moving Out (่ปขๅบ - Tenshutsu) | Moving to a different municipality | Tenshutsu-todoke (่ปขๅบๅฑ) | The office of your old address (must be done before or within 14 days of moving) |
| 3. Moving within the same municipality (่ปขๅฑ - Tenkyo) | Moving to a new address within the same City/Ward/Town/Village | Tenkyo-todoke (่ปขๅฑ ๅฑ) | The office of your current address |
Required Documents for Moving In (Tennyลซ) and Moving within the same municipality (Tenkyo)
- ๐ Residence Card (Zairyu Card) who are moving
- ๐ Passport (normally not required)
- ๐ Moving Out Certificate (่ปขๅบ่จผๆๆธ - Tenshutsu Shลmeisho) (Only required for *Tennyลซ* - Moving In from a different municipality. Issued by your old local office.)
- ๐ Identification document of the person filing the notification (e.g., Driver's License, My Number Card)
๐ Step-by-Step: The Address Change Process
Step 1: Locate the Correct Counter
Upon arriving at the City Hall or Ward Office, look for the counter handling "Resident Registration" (ไฝๆฐ็ป้ฒ - Jลซmin Tลroku) or "Moving Notifications" (ไฝๆฐ็ฐๅๅฑ - Jลซmin Idล Todoke). If you are unsure, ask the information desk (ๆกๅ - Annai).
A typical counter area at a Ward Office (Take a numbered ticket if the office is crowded)
Step 2: Fill out and Submit the Notification Form
Inform the staff that you need to change your address.
「ๅผใฃ่ถใใพใใ。่ปขๅ ฅๅฑ (Tennyลซ-todoke) ใใ้กใใใพใ。」
(I have moved. I would like to file a Moving In Notification.)
or
「ๅจ็ใซใผใใฎไฝๆๅคๆดใใใใใงใ。」
(I would like to change the address on my Residence Card.)
You will be given a form to fill out with your name, new address, old address, and moving date. Submit this form along with your Residence Card and other required documents.
Step 3: New Address is Recorded on the Zairyu Card
The staff will verify your documents and then write or print your new address on the back of your Residence Card. Once this is done, the official address change procedure is complete.
---๐ Important Updates After Address Change
After completing the procedure at the government office, remember to update your address with the following institutions:
- ๐ฆ Banks and Financial Institutions: Update the address for your bank accounts and credit cards.
- ๐ฑ Mobile Phone Company: Update your contract information.
- ๐ฎ Post Office (้ตไพฟๅฑ - Yลซbinkyoku): File a Mail Forwarding Request (่ปขๅฑ ๅฑ - Tenkyo-todoke) to have mail sent to your old address forwarded to your new one for up to one year.
- ๐ซ School or Workplace: Report your new address to your affiliated institution.
- ๐ฅ National Health Insurance and Pension: National Health Insurance must be done
๐จ The Dangers of Not Updating Your Address with Other Institutions
Completing the procedure at the Ward Office is only the first step. Failing to update your address with other key institutions can lead to severe and immediate problems that threaten your legal and financial stability in Japan.
DO NOT RISK IT: Serious Consequences of Non-Compliance
- ❌ Bank Account Suspension: Banks are legally required to verify your address. If official mail is returned as undeliverable, your account may be **frozen or suspended** without warning, preventing you from withdrawing or transferring money.
- ❌ Contract Termination: Mobile phone companies and utility providers may **terminate your service** if they cannot contact you or send you bills, leading to immediate loss of phone service or utilities.
- ❌ Visa/Immigration Issues: Important documents from the Immigration Services Agency (e.g., renewal notices) are sent to your registered address. Missing these notices due to an outdated address can lead to **visa expiration, overstaying, and deportation**.
- ❌ Legal and Financial Penalties: Official documents, tax notices, and court summons (if applicable) will go to your old address. Ignoring these can result in **fines, legal action, or serious financial distress**.
- ❌ Loss of Mail: Your mail forwarding request at the Post Office only lasts for one year. After that, all mail will be returned to the sender, causing you to miss critical communications from your school, employer, or government.
Take immediate action after the Ward Office: Your financial and legal status in Japan depends on it.
❓ FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
A: Yes, you can. Staff at most government offices are accustomed to assisting foreign residents. Simple English or the key Japanese phrases provided in this guide should be sufficient. Some larger municipalities may also offer multilingual support or interpretation services.
A: Missing the deadline is a violation of the law and may result in a penalty. If you realize you have missed it, you should go to the office immediately and explain the reason for the delay honestly. As long as it is not a malicious delay, you will usually be able to complete the procedure, but prompt action is essential.
A: The *Tenshutsu Shลmeisho* is a document issued by your old local government office when you file the Moving Out Notification (*Tenshutsu-todoke*). It is a mandatory document required to file the Moving In Notification (*Tennyลซ-todoke*) at your new local government office. Keep it safe!
A: No. The head of the household or any member of the household can file the notification for the entire family. However, you must bring the Residence Cards for all family members who are moving.
A: No. The address change procedures (*Tennyลซ-todoke*, *Tenshutsu-todoke*, *Tenkyo-todoke*) are free of charge.
A: Generally, no appointment is necessary for address change procedures. However, it is advisable to allow plenty of time, as the office can be crowded, especially on Mondays, the day after a public holiday, or during the peak moving season (March and April).
๐ Related Guides
๐ Lost Your Residence Card? Step-by-Step Re-Issue Process
๐ JLPT N3 Practice — 1,000 Questions
---This article is for informational purposes only. Procedures may vary depending on individual cases and local government rules. Please confirm the latest and most accurate information directly with your local City Hall or Ward Office.
Post a Comment