How to Change Your Address in Japan: A Step-by-Step Guide

Moving to Japan from a foreign country? Relocating to a new address within Japan?

To change your address in Japan, you must submit a moving-in form (転入届 = tennyu todoke) at your local municipal office or ward office within 14 days of moving.

This requirement applies to all foreign residents with a Residence Card (在留カード), whether you are arriving in Japan for the first time, relocating between cities, or moving within the same municipality.

You will need your Residence Card, passport, and a moving-out certificate (転出証明書 = tenshutsu shomei-sho) if coming from another city in Japan.

The process is free, and the 14-day deadline is enforced under both the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (fine up to ¥200,000) and the Basic Resident Registration Act (fine up to ¥50,000). This guide covers the exact steps, required documents, and procedures for each type of address change in Japan, updated for 2026.

What is a moving-in form (tennyu todoke) in Japan?

A moving-in form (転入届 = tennyu todoke) is a document all residents (including foreign residents) must submit when relocating to a new location in Japan. Depending on your municipality, a moving-in form may be called a change of residence form (住民異動届 = jūmin idō todoke).

Failing to submit this form or providing a false address can result in a fine of up to ¥200,000 under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Art. 71-5).

A separate fine of up to ¥50,000 may also apply under the Basic Resident Registration Act. If 90 or more days pass without registering an address, your status of residence may be revoked (Art. 22-4, paragraphs 8 and 9).

By submitting a moving-in form when changing your address, you fulfill the requirement for informing the Ministry of Justice of your current Japanese address. 

Image. English example of how to fill out a moving-in form from Okazaki city’s official website.

Note: Depending on where you live in Japan, different municipalities have different procedures for filing a moving-in form. You can find exact instructions and required documents on the official homepage of your municipality office. 

Required documents for changing your address in Japan

Address registration requirements for first-time visitors to Japan

If you are staying in Japan for longer than 90 days, you will receive a Residence Card (在留カード = zairyū kādo) at the airport upon arrival.

Note that Residence Cards are issued at the airport only at Narita, Haneda, Chubu Centrair, and Kansai International Airport.

If you enter through a different port, your passport will be stamped and your Residence Card will be mailed to you after you register your address.

A Residence Card contains essential information such as your name, residency status, and period of stay. 

Image. Example of Residence Card from ISA Japan.

Once you've been issued a Residence Card, you must file a moving-in notification to the ward office within 14 days after finalizing your living arrangements in Japan. 

Short-term residents or foreigners staying in Japan for less than 90 days are not required to file a moving-in form. Instead, they will receive a stamp on their passport when entering the country. (Learn more about Japan's Residency Management System and Residence Card .)

To file a moving-in notification to register your new address or a change of address, bring the following documents to your local municipal office:

• Your passport

• Residence Card

• Moving-in form

After registering your address at a municipal office, you will receive a notification letter containing your Individual Number Notice (My Number) and a QR code to apply for a My Number card.

Note: An Individual Number notice is an extremely important document that cannot be reissued. Don't lose it or throw it away. 

👉 Find out more about Individual Number notices and My Number cards in our article, “My Number Card for Foreigners.” 

Step-by-step how to register in a new city in Japan

If you relocate to a new city or want to know how to change addresses in Japan, you likewise need to notify your new municipal office of your address within 14 days of moving. 

However, before registering your address in a new city, you must first submit a moving-out form (転出届 = tenshutsu todoke) to the city office where your previous address was located and receive a moving-out certificate (転出証明書 = tenshutsu shou mei sho). [Note: Not applicable to first-time residents in Japan.]

Once you have your moving-out certificate, you can submit your moving-in form to register your new address. 

The exact process may vary depending on the area you move to, but the general pattern for how to change your address with a moving-in form is as follows:

Step 1. Go to your previous address' municipal office.

Submit your moving-out form and other required documents to receive a moving-out certificate from city hall. This step can be done by post or by proxy if circumstances prevent you from applying in person.

👉 For details on how to follow those methods, see our step-by-step guide “How to Submit a Moving-out Form in Japan.”

Step 2. Gather all required documents. 

Prepare the required documents. These may vary slightly depending on the city or district. Most often, you will need the following:

• Moving out certificate

• Residence Card

• Passport or government issued ID

• Moving-in form

• My Number Notification or My Number card

Step 3. Go to your new municipal office and submit the paperwork.

Bring all documents to your new municipal office.

Once you submit your paperwork, your new address will be documented on your Residence Card and My Number notification. Your health insurance enrollment will also be updated.

As of December 2024, Japan no longer issues physical health insurance cards. Instead, your My Number Card functions as your health insurance verification (known as Myna Hokensho).

If you do not have a My Number Card, your insurer will issue a Certificate of Qualification (資格確認書 = shikaku kakunin-sho) as an alternative.

2026 update: Tokutei Zairyu Card (Specified Residence Card)

Starting June 14, 2026, foreign residents in Japan can apply for a Tokutei Zairyu Card (特定在留カード), a new integrated card that combines the Residence Card and My Number Card into a single document.

This change means fewer office visits when changing your address or renewing your visa, since both cards can be updated in one procedure at the immigration bureau. The Tokutei Zairyu Card is optional.

You may continue carrying two separate cards if you prefer. Even if you do not opt for the integrated version, the standard Residence Card design is also changing from June 14, 2026 onward.

How to register your address when moving within the same city

If you are moving within the same city, then you do not need a moving-out certificate. However, you still need to register your new address. This process is called 転居届 = tenkyo todoke, change of address notification.

To register an address change within the same city, bring your Residence Card and My Number notification to your local municipal office and inform the officials that your address has changed. They will update your Residence Card and My Number notification with your new address. 

Registering your address via proxy

If you cannot go to the municipal office in person to register your address, a proxy can submit the necessary paperwork on your behalf.

To use a proxy to submit your paperwork, they will need to provide a certificate of appointment (委任状 = innin jyou), your passport, Residence Card, and moving-in form along with their own ID. 

Image. Example of how to fill out a certificate of appointment from Shinjuku city’s official website.

However, bear in mind that some offices don't allow the use of proxies when changing your address in Japan. To be safe, check with your municipal office to see if this is permitted. 

Other useful links on how to register in a new city in Japan

• Notification of address due to change of status of residence (mid to long-term residents), Immigration Services of Japan Agency

• Move in / Move out, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

• Basic Resident Registration System for Foreign Residents > Related Materials, Publicity Leaflets, etc., Immigration Services of Japan Agency

Frequently asked questions

How do I change my address in Japan?

To change your address in Japan, visit your local municipal office or ward office and submit a moving-in form (転入届 = tennyu todoke) within 14 days of moving. If you are relocating from a different city, you first need to obtain a moving-out certificate (転出証明書) from your previous municipality. For moves within the same city, submit a change of address notification (転居届 = tenkyo todoke) at your local office without needing a moving-out certificate.

What documents do I need to change my address in Japan?

The required documents depend on your situation. For an inter-city move, bring your moving-out certificate, Residence Card, passport or government-issued ID, and your My Number notification or My Number Card. For a move within the same city, you only need your Residence Card and My Number notification. First-time arrivals in Japan need their passport, Residence Card, and a completed moving-in form.

What happens if I do not register my new address within 14 days?

Failure to register your address within 14 days can result in a fine of up to ¥200,000 under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. A separate fine of up to ¥50,000 may apply under the Basic Resident Registration Act. If 90 or more days pass without registering, your status of residence may be revoked, which could affect your ability to remain in Japan.

Do I need to update my Residence Card when I change my address?

Yes. When you register your new address at the municipal office, your Residence Card is updated on the spot with the new address printed on the back. Your My Number notification or My Number Card information is also updated during the same visit. From June 14, 2026, holders of the new Tokutei Zairyu Card (特定在留カード) can have both their Residence Card and My Number Card updated in a single procedure.

What is the difference between tennyu todoke, tenshutsu todoke, and tenkyo todoke?

These are the three types of address notification forms used in Japan. A tennyu todoke (転入届) is a moving-in form submitted to your new municipality. A tenshutsu todoke (転出届) is a moving-out form submitted to your previous municipality before you leave. A tenkyo todoke (転居届) is a change of address form used when moving within the same city or ward, where no moving-out certificate is required.

Can someone else submit my address change paperwork in Japan?

Yes, a proxy can submit your address change paperwork if you cannot visit the municipal office in person. The proxy must bring a certificate of appointment (委任状 = ininjo), your Residence Card, your passport, the completed moving-in form, and their own government-issued ID. Some municipal offices do not allow proxy submissions for address changes, so check with your local office before sending someone on your behalf.

Do I need to update my bank account, employer, or other registrations after changing my address?

Yes. After registering your new address at the municipal office, you should also update your address with your bank, employer, mobile phone provider, and any other institutions that hold your address on file. Foreign residents who change jobs or schools must also notify the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days, separately from the municipal address registration.

What is the Tokutei Zairyu Card launching in June 2026?

The Tokutei Zairyu Card (特定在留カード), also called the Specified Residence Card, is a new integrated card that combines the Residence Card and My Number Card into a single document. It launches on June 14, 2026 and is optional. Holders of this card can complete address changes and visa renewals in a single procedure at the immigration bureau, reducing the number of office visits required.

In closing

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