The short answer
When you move in Japan, you need to update your 住民票 (jūminhyō, resident record) at the city/ward/town/village office (市区町村役所, shikuchōson yakusho). When moving to a different municipality, file a 転出届 (tenshutsu-todoke, moving-out notification) at your old address before moving out (you receive a 転出証明書 (tenshutsu shōmeisho, moving-out certificate)), then file a 転入届 (tennyū-todoke, moving-in notification) at your new address after moving in. For a move within the same municipality, file a 転居届 (tenkyo-todoke, notification of a move within the municipality). Procedures, documents, and deadlines follow your municipal office's instructions.
What this document is
Japan manages residents' address information through the 住民基本台帳 (jūmin kihon daichō, Basic Resident Register) — this applies to foreign residents as well. The common notifications when moving are:
- 転出届: filed with your old municipality before moving to a different city, ward, town, or village; you receive a 転出証明書.
- 転入届: filed with your new municipality after moving in (you usually need to bring the 転出証明書).
- 転居届: filed when you move within the same municipality.
Common fields on the documents
- 転入届 / 転出届 / 転居届 (tennyū-todoke / tenshutsu-todoke / tenkyo-todoke) — moving-in / moving-out / same-municipality move notification
- 転出証明書 (tenshutsu shōmeisho) — moving-out certificate (submitted when you file the moving-in notification)
- 異動年月日 (idō nengappi) — date of the move (change of address)
- 世帯主 (setai-nushi) — head of household
- 本人確認書類 (honnin kakunin shorui) — identity documents (such as your 在留カード (zairyū kādo, residence card))
- マイナンバーカード (mai nambā kādo) — My Number card (used for some procedures / online filing)
What you need to do
- Moving to a different municipality: before moving out, file the 転出届 at your old municipality and receive the 転出証明書.
- After moving in, file the 転入届 at your new municipality (bring the 転出証明書 and your identity documents), and watch the deadline.
- Moving within the same municipality: file the 転居届.
- If you have a My Number card, some municipalities let you file the moving-out notification online; if unsure, check with your municipal office.
Where deadlines and fees may appear
- Deadline: the moving-in notification usually must be filed within a certain period after you move in (generally within 14 days); follow your municipal office's explanation.
- Fees: the resident registration change itself is usually free of charge; certificates such as a copy of your resident record (住民票の写し, jūminhyō no utsushi) may carry a fee — check with your municipal office.
Which official body to check with if you are unsure
Moving procedures follow the explanation of your city/ward/town/village office — typically the resident affairs counter (住民窓口, jūmin madoguchi) or citizens' affairs section (市民課, shimin-ka); for general guidance aimed at foreign residents, see the moving-in / moving-out guide of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省, Sōmushō). Official explanations take precedence over any third-party interpretation.
Common Japanese terms
- 転入届 (tennyū-todoke) — moving-in notification
- 転出届 (tenshutsu-todoke) — moving-out notification
- 転居届 (tenkyo-todoke) — notification of a move within the same municipality
- 転出証明書 (tenshutsu shōmeisho) — moving-out certificate
- 世帯主 (setai-nushi) — head of household
- 本人確認書類 (honnin kakunin shorui) — identity documents