City hall
住民異動・住所関連: Japan Moving & Address Notices Explained
This document concerns moving and changes to your address or 世帯 (household — the family unit living together). In Japan you register where you live (住民登録), and the 住民票 is the record of that. When you move, you file a 転出届 (moving-out notice) at your old municipality and a 転入届 (moving-in notice) at the new one; a move within the same municipality is a 転居届. ⛔ It is not a bill. Keeping your address current underpins daily life — mail reaching you, receiving public services, and forming the basis of identity checks. First check which procedure the document is about.
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People who have moved or had an address or household change. You may encounter it as a notice from city hall (confirming 住民票 details, explaining a procedure) or as the notification form needed for a procedure. Nationality does not matter; if you are subject to resident registration, the procedure applies. Mid-to-long-term foreign residents are also subject to resident registration and must file when they move.
What to do
- 1Check which procedure the document is about (moving in / moving out / moving within the city / household change).
- 2If your move crosses municipalities, file a 転出届 at the old municipality and receive a moving-out certificate (転出証明書).
- 3File a 転入届 at the new municipality within 14 days of moving (or a 転居届 for a move within the same municipality).
- 4Go to the city-hall counter with ID and, if needed, My Number documents (some steps may be possible by mail or online).
- 5If the procedure or required documents are unclear, ask the municipal section printed on the document (e.g. the residents' section).
About the deadline
Move notifications have deadlines. ⛔ The 転入届 at your new address must generally be filed within 14 days of the day you moved. Being late can mean official notices don't reach you, procedures are held up, and in some cases a non-penal fine (過料). File the 転出届 around the time you move and the 転入届 after you move. Confirm deadlines and required documents with your municipality.
Common misunderstandings
- Is this a bill? Do I have to pay?
- No. It is a notice or guidance about an address or household change, not a bill. Some procedures carry a small fee (for example issuing a copy of your 住民票), but this notice itself does not demand payment.
- What's the difference between 転出届 and 転入届?
- The 転出届 is filed at the municipality you are leaving. The 転入届 is filed at the municipality you move into. A move across municipalities needs both. A move within the same municipality needs just one 転居届.
- What happens if I don't do the procedure?
- If your address isn't current, official and important mail may not reach you, and voting and various services can be affected. Missing the deadline can also lead to a non-penal fine. Complete the procedure at your municipality soon.
- Do foreign residents also need to do this?
- Mid-to-long-term foreign residents are also subject to resident registration and must file when they move. You may need ID such as your residence card. Confirm the details at the municipal counter.
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This page is general information. For your own case, confirm with the office that issued the document, or with a qualified professional.