Foreign Resident Registration

The foreign resident registration card serves as personal identification of foreign residents who live in Japan, and must be carried with you at all times after registration.

Application for Initial Registration

If you plan to stay in Japan for over 90 days, you must apply for foreign resident registration. Apply in person at the Foreign Residents' Registration Desk (Nakano City Office 1F) within 90 days of entering the country, bringing your passport and two photos (must be printed from the same negative, 4.5 cm high x 3.5 cm wide, taken within the last six months, head and shoulders, front view, no hat).
Since the registration card is processed at the Immigration Bureau, it takes more than a week before the card can be issued. Please come to the city office to pick up your card as designated. Photos are not required for those who are under 16 years of age, and application may be completed by a family member who lives in the same household.
If a child is born in your family in Japan, submit a Birth Notification form (with the Birth Certificate written by the doctor or midwife) to the Family Registration Desk within 14 days. If the child remains in Japan for 60 days or more, you must then complete the following procedures at the Foreign Residents' Registration Desk:

1. Complete foreign resident registration within 60 days after the birth.
2. Apply for a passport at the embassy of your country in Japan.
3. After acquiring a visa at the Immigration Bureau within 30 days after the birth, file a notification form with the Foreign Resident Registration Desk within 14 days of acquisition.

Registering Changes

If you move into or within the city after completing foreign resident registration, you must register your change of address within 14 days after your move. You must also register changes in registered information other than your address as well. Application may be completed in person or by a family member who lives in the same household. If you move out of the city, you must complete the designated procedures at the municipal office of your new address.
However, please note that a representative can not file an application on your behalf if you are filing for the first time since your visa has been renewed.

Application for Reissuance/Exchange

If your foreign resident registration card is lost, you must report to the police and apply within 14 days after realizing your card is lost. If your registration card is soiled, torn or completely full so that there is no space to write additional notes, or if there is a correction or change in your name, date of birth or nationality, then you must complete the same procedures as for initial registration.

Application for Confirmation (Renewal)

Application should be made in person, bringing the passport, foreign resident registration card and two photos during the designated confirmation (renewal) period written on the foreign resident registration card for those who are 16 years of age or older, or within 30 days of their 16th birthday for those who have just reached 16 years of age.

Certificate of Registered Items in the Foreign Resident Registry

The Certificate of Registered Items in the Foreign Resident Registry certifies the information registered in the foreign resident registry. The certificate can be applied for in person or by a family member who lives in the same household. If anyone else applies for this certificate, a letter giving the power of attorney written by the applicant himself/herself is required. Application forms are accepted at the Foreign Residents' Registration Desk of Nakano City Office. If there are no changes in the registered information, you can receive the certificate at your local community center. Please bring your foreign resident registration card. The handling fee for the certificate is 300yen per copy.
If a representative files the application on your behalf, he/she must bring some form of personal identification, such as a foreign resident registration card, passport or driver's license.

Re-entry Permit

Please apply for a re-entry permit if you plan to temporarily return to your home country or visit another country and then return to Japan. With this permit, you may re-enter Japan without having to process another visa. Your foreign resident registration will remain valid while you are out of Japan. The procedures for a re-entry permit must be completed at the Immigration Bureau. For more information, please call the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau (Tel: 5796-7111).

Change of visa or extension of stay in Japan

Applications for a change in your visa or extension of your stay in Japan are handled at the Immigration Bureau. After acquiring authorization, please bring your passport and foreign resident registration card to the Foreign Residents' Registration Desk of Nakano City Office and complete the designated procedures for changes in your foreign resident registration within 14 days.

• Inquiries: [civil registration] person in charge of registration for foreigners
• Tel: 03-3228-5505 (in Japanese)