Hello! It’s your friend from NyuuLy — your go-to guide for all things document-related in Japan.
Whether you’re a brand-new arrival or you’ve been living here for a while, you’ll be asked to submit your Juminhyo (住民票 / juminhyo) sooner or later. This document is an important part of life in Japan.
Here’s a simple and easy guide to help you understand it.
What It Is
The Juminhyo (Certificate of Residence) is an official government document that shows your registered address and basic personal information in Japan. Both Japanese and foreign residents have it.
It usually includes:
- Your full name
- Date of birth and gender
- Your registered address in Japan
- Household information (family members registered under the same address)
- National Health Insurance (国民健康保険 / kokumin kenko hoken) and pension status
- My Number (マイナンバー / mai nanba)
For foreign residents, it also shows:
- Nationality
- Date of arrival
- Visa status and expiration date
- Your Zairyu Card number
The Juminhyo is often required when you:
- Open a bank account
- Register for a job or submit to your employer
- Enroll in health insurance or pension
- Apply for childcare benefits or government services
- Verify your address for official procedures
When You Can Apply
You can apply for a Juminhyo whenever you need it for official procedures.
Nyuuly’s Pro Tip:
Although a Juminhyo doesn’t have an official expiration date, many institutions require one issued within the last 3–6 months. But don’t worry — getting a new copy is very easy and fast, so you don’t need to stock up.
How To Get It
Before you can get your Juminhyo, you must first register your address at your local city hall.
This process is called: Register your Residency (住民登録, Jumin toroku)
It is a mandatory step when you move into a new address in Japan.
Once your address is registered, you can get your Juminhyo in three ways:
Option 1: At the City Hall (Recommended for Newcomers)
- After finishing your address registration, simply say to the staff: 住民票をお願いします (Juminhyo o onegaishimasu)
- They will ask you to fill out a small form, where you select which information you want on your Juminhyo.
- After that, they will print and stamp your Juminhyo on the spot.
💰 Cost: Around 300 JPY per copy (may vary slightly by city)
NyuuLy’s Pro Tip
If you are a newcomer in Japan, when you go to city hall to register your address, we highly recommend getting 1 or 2 copies of your Juminhyo on the same day.
You’ll probably need one for opening a bank account and one for your company or school right away.
Option 2: At a Convenience Store (For My Number Card Holders)
If you have a My Number Card (マイナンバーカード / mai nanba kado), this is the most convenient way.
You can print your Juminhyo at major convenience stores like: 7-Eleven; Lawson; Family Mart; Mini Stop.
Find which convenience store provides this service near you in this link.
Inside the store, look for the multi-function printer (マルチコピー機 / maruchi kopi-ki).
It usually has English language support.
Follow the steps below:
- Make sure your My Number Card is activated.
- Bring your card and remember your PIN code.
- Go to the printer and select “Certificate Issuance Service”.
- Insert your card and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Print out your Juminhyo and pay.
Option 3: By Mail
Yes, it’s Japan. Of course you can still do everything by physical mail.
You’ll need to prepare:
- Completed application form (available on your city’s website)
- Copy of your Zairyu Card
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
- Payment (usually a postal money order / 定額小為替 teigaku kogawase)
Send everything to your local city hall.
Processing usually takes 1–2 weeks depending on your area.
Now you’re familiar with one more important document in Japan, and that’s a big step toward settling into your new life here smoothly.
Keep going, step by step, with NyuuLy by your side.
Enjoy Japan! 🇯🇵✨
