In Japan, March is moving season—many people move near to the location of their new place of employment or school with the start of the new fiscal year in April. In this issue, we describe the main procedures that must be completed by those who are moving into or out of the city. Please note that due to revisions in the national law that went into effect from July 9, 2012, the Basic Resident Registration Act now applies to foreign residents in the same way it does to Japanese residents.
The basic resident register is the collection of resident records for each household, with such information as the name, date of birth, sex and address of the household's members. The information serves as the base for the processing of various administrative services for residents. If there is a change in your address, the following notification procedures are required:
●Types of Notification Procedures
(1) Notification of moving in (moving in from overseas)
・ If you have settled in Shinagawa City upon entering Japan for the first time
・ If you have re-entered Japan after filing notification of moving out overseas, and have settled in Shinagawa City
(2) Notification of moving in (moving in from another municipality)
・ If you have moved into Shinagawa City from another municipality in Japan
Note: Before moving out of your previous municipality, please obtain a "move out" certificate before completing notification procedures at the Shinagawa City Office.
(3) Acquisition of mid- to long-term stay status of residence
・ If you acquire a mid- to long-term stay visa status and become eligible for a resident record
Example: If your visa status of residence changes from temporary visitor status to that of a dependent.
(4) Notification of moving within the city
・ If you move within Shinagawa City
(5) Notification of moving out (moving to another municipality in Japan)
・ If you move out of Shinagawa City
Note: Upon completion of these procedures, you will be issued a "move out" certificate; please submit this certificate to the municipal office administering your new address.
(6) Notification of moving out (moving out of Japan)
・ If you leave Japan and have no plans to return
・ If you leave Japan with plans of returning within the re-entry permit term, but plan to remain overseas for one year or longer
●Notification Period
For (1), (2), or (4), please file the notification within 14 days after your move.
For (3), please file the notification within 14 days of acquiring your mid- to long-term status of residence.
For (5) or (6), please file the notification no later than the date of your move.
●Required Documents
・ For (1) to (6): Residence card or special permanent resident certificate, or a foreign resident registration certificate within the designated interim period
・ For (1), (2), and (3): Passport
・ For (1) to (4): Documentation verifying your family relationship with the head of the household (such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate) and a Japanese translation of any of the aforementioned documentation.
・ For (2): "Move out" certificate issued by the municipality of previous residence
Note: In the case of (1) through (4), please be sure to bring the residence cards or special permanent resident certificates of each household member for whom notification must be filed, as you will have to make a second trip to the City Office within two weeks if you forget.
● You can complete notification procedures at the Shinagawa City Office and some community centers (Shinagawa Dai-ichi, Osaki Dai-ichi, Oi Dai-ichi, Ebara Dai-chi, Ebara Dai-yon, and Yashio community centers).
