Foreign resident registration

Civil Division (TEL: 620-1621)
Foreigners who stay in Japan longer than 90 days must submit a foreign registration form to the local governmental office where he/she is living. Registered foreigners are required to always carry their foreigner registration certificate with them.

Documents needed for new registration are as follows.

1. Foreign resident registration form (available at the Civil Division Desk)
2. Passport
3. Two copies of an identifying photograph (Size: 4.5 (H) x 3.5 (W) cm. The photos must have been taken within the last 6 months. This requirement does not apply to children under 16 years of age.)
   Prepare these three items, and submit them to the Civil Division of the City Office to request your foreign resident registration certificate. It will take approximately one month from the time you submit the required documents until you receive the foreign resident registration certificate. Children under 16 years of age and those who cannot come to the City Office due to illness can have a representative living with him/her come to the office and take care of the above formalities. The representative must be someone who is a member of the same family unit as the child or ill person.

When a child is born

When a foreigner who is living in Japan gives birth to a child, there must be a birth report and a new foreign resident registration submitted for the child. The birth report can be submitted by either of the parents within 14 days of the birth. To register the baby for the first time, submit to the Civil Division a completed registration form along with the maternity passbook and birth certificate issued by the doctor or midwife.

If you change your residence address, name, company name or company location, residence qualification type, residence period etc., submit notification of the change within 14 days after the change. At this time, you must submit your foreign resident registration certificate, passport, and documents in order to certify the change. If you moved to Ibaraki City from some other location in Japan, you have to apply to join the national health insurance system at the Ibaraki City Office.

Issuance, change, or return of a foreign resident registration certificate

If you lose your foreign resident registration certificate, request the re-issuance of the certificate within 14 days of the loss.

Change or get a new one

If your foreign resident registration certificate is damaged or torn, or you need to change any description on it such as your name, birth date, or nationality, ask the Civil Division to make the changes and issue a new certificate.

Renewal (check renewal)

In principle, your foreign resident registration certificate must be renewed every 5 years. Within 30 days after the fifth birthday after you first registered or last renewed, submit a renewal request to the Civil Division.

Returns

When you leave Japan, return your foreign resident registration certificate to an immigration officer at the international airport or seaport (except if you have obtained a re-entry permit to come back to Japan). If a foreign resident dies, that person's family living with him/her must return the certificate to the Civil Division within 14 days after the death. If you obtain Japanese nationality, return the foreign resident certificate within 14 days, and bring your Japanese nationality certificate with you at that time.

This certifies the items registered on the foreign resident registration. This is equivalent to a Japanese resident certificate card. The certificate is issued by the Civil Division. If someone other than yourself or a family member living with you requests the issuance of the certification on your behalf, that person must submit a power of attorney letter that you have signed/issued.

Please contact the Osaka Immigration Bureau (29-53, 1 Chome, Nanko Kita, Suminoe Ward, Osaka City. Get off at the Cosmo Square Station of the Chuou Line of the Municipal Subway. TEL: 06-4703-2100)