What to Do After Moving? Address Registration Procedures and Related Documents
A detailed guide to post-move procedures in Japan: registering your address through Tenshutsu/Tennyu within 14 days, updating your residence card, My Number, driver's license, and postal address.
Aug 7, 2026·✍️ olablog·⏱ 11 min read
A detailed guide to post-move procedures in Japan: registering your address through Tenshutsu/Tennyu within 14 days, updating your residence card, My Number, driver's license, and postal address.
Moving into a new apartment in Japan is always exciting, but once the last cardboard box has been unpacked, many Vietnamese interns, international students, and engineers find themselves feeling overwhelmed. With so many procedures and documents in Japanese, where should you start? Will you be fined if you do things late?
There is no need to worry too much! Drawing on the experience of those who have gone through it before, OlaChill has compiled the entire process for handling administrative procedures after moving in Japan in the most practical, concise, and easy-to-understand way possible. Simply follow this checklist, and you can complete all your legal obligations smoothly without worrying about unexpected complications.
1. Administrative procedures at the City/Ward Office (Kuyakusho / Shiyakusho): Tenshutsu, Tennyu, and Tenkyo todoke
The most important procedure—and the one you should prioritize immediately after moving into your new home—is reporting your residential address at the City/Ward Office (区役所 - kuyakusho for wards, or 市役所 - shiyakusho for cities).
The difference between moving within the same ward/city and moving to a different ward/city
Depending on the scope of your move, the names and procedures for the paperwork will differ:
- Moving to a different ward/city (different administrative jurisdiction): You must submit a move-out notification — Tenshutsu-todoke (転出届 - tenshutsu todoke) at your former residence, then submit a notification of moving in at your new address — Tennyu-todoke (転入届 - tennyu todoke) at your new residence.
- Moving within the same ward/city (same administrative jurisdiction): You only need to submit an internal change-of-address notification — Tenkyo-todoke (転居届 - tenkyo todoke) at that same City/Ward Office.
The 2-step process for moving to a different ward/city
- Step 1 (At your former residence): Submit the Tenshutsu-todoke (転出届) before or within 14 days of moving out. Once the procedure is complete, the City/Ward Office staff will issue a Move-out Certificate — Tenshutsu shomeisho (転出証明書 - tenshutsu shomeisho). (Note: If you have a My Number Card and a Myna Portal account, you can complete the Tenshutsu procedure entirely online for free without visiting your former City/Ward Office in person.)
- Step 2 (At your new residence): Within 14 days of officially moving into your new home, bring your Tenshutsu shomeisho and residence card to your new City/Ward Office to submit the Tennyu-todoke (転入届).
The 1-step process for moving within the same ward/city
If your new apartment is in the same ward or city as your former apartment, you do not need to obtain a Move-out Certificate. Bring your residence card to your current City/Ward Office within 14 days of moving and fill out the Tenkyo-todoke (転居届). The administrative staff will print your new address on the back of your residence card on the spot.
Risks and penalties for missing the 14-day deadline
Under Japan's Basic Resident Registration Act (住民基本台帳法 - Jumin kihon daicho ho), the mandatory deadline for completing new address registration is 14 days from the date you move in.
If you report late without a valid reason, as of August 8/2026, you may be fined up to 50.000 JPY (~8.500.000 - 9.000.000 VND). In addition, delaying address registration can directly affect your status of residence (visa) when you renew or change it later.
2. Updating your residence card and My Number Card address
Your residence card and My Number Card are the two most important legal identity documents for foreign residents in Japan.
Residence card (在留カード - Zairyu Card)
When submitting your Tennyu-todoke or Tenkyo-todoke at the City/Ward Office, hand your residence card to the reception staff. They will use a specialized printer to print your new address on the back of the card and stamp it for confirmation.
- Processing fee: 0 JPY (Free) as of August 8/2026.
- What to bring: The original residence cards of all family members moving with you.
My Number Card (マイナンバーカード - My Number Card)
Like your residence card, your My Number Card must also be updated with your new address both on the card's surface and in its electronic chip.
- Processing fee: 0 JPY (Free) as of August 8/2026.
- Important note: You must remember your 4-digit PIN (the password set when the card was issued) so that City/Ward Office staff can update the data on the chip. If you have forgotten your PIN, you will need to apply for a new password at the service counter.
3. Switching National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken) and Pension
Your social insurance procedures depend on your employment situation in Japan:
- For company employees (Social Insurance - 社会保険 / Shakai Hoken): You only need to notify your company's Human Resources (HR) department of your new address. The company will complete the necessary system updates for you.
- For international students and self-employed people (National Health Insurance - 国民健康保険 / Kokumin Kenko Hoken):
- When moving to a different ward/city: You must return your old insurance card to your former City/Ward Office to close the account (and receive a refund for any excess insurance premiums, if applicable), then register for National Health Insurance again at your new City/Ward Office. Your new insurance card will either be issued immediately or mailed to your new address.
- When moving within the same ward/city: The address on your insurance card will be updated at the same time you submit the Tenkyo-todoke.
As for National Pension (国民年金 - Kokumin Nenkin), the management system is now linked with My Number. In most cases, your pension information will be updated automatically when you update your address at the City/Ward Office. However, if you have not linked your My Number, ask the Nenkin counter at the City/Ward Office directly for assistance.
4. Changing the address on your driver's license and bank accounts
After completing the procedures at the City/Ward Office and having your new address printed on the back of your residence card, you can proceed with other civil documents.
Driver's license (運転免許証 - Unten Menkyosho)
To ensure that your driver's license remains valid as legal identification, you should update your address as soon as possible.
- Where to complete the procedure: The nearest police station (警察署 - keisatsusho) or driver's license center (運転免許センター - unten menkyo senta).
- Fee: 0 JPY (Free) as of August 8/2026.
- What to bring: Your original driver's license and your residence card with the new address updated (or a copy of your Certificate of Residence Juminhyo - 住民票 showing your new address).
Bank accounts and credit cards
If you do not update your address with your bank, important notices, replacement ATM cards, or new credit cards mailed to your former address may be lost or returned by the post office, creating a risk that your account could be locked.
- Japan Post Bank (ゆうcho 銀行): You can change your address directly through the Yucho Direct / Yucho Otetsuduki App, or bring your residence card and bankbook to a branch counter.
- Commercial banks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho...): Most allow you to update your address online through their Internet Banking app by photographing the front and back of your residence card.
- Credit cards (Rakuten, Epos, JCB...): Log in to the card issuer's account management page (Member's Page) on its website/app and change your mailing address.
5. Japan Post's free 1-year mail forwarding service (e-Tenkyo)
Even after changing your address everywhere, there is still a risk that friends or former institutions may send mail to your old address. Japan Post offers an extremely convenient mail forwarding service called Tenkyo-todoke (転居届) or e-Tenkyo (e転居).
- Service details: Automatically forwards all mail and parcels sent to your old address to your new address for 1 year (365 days) from the date of registration.
- Fee: 0 JPY (Completely free) as of August 8/2026.
- How to apply:
- In person: Visit the nearest post office (郵便局 - yubinkyoku), request a Tenkyo-todoke form, enter your old and new address details, and present your residence card.
- Online registration (e-Tenkyo): Visit the Japan Post e-Tenkyo website or official app, verify your identity using your My Number Card/residence card, and complete the procedure within 5 minutes.
(Note: It takes approximately 3 to 7 business days for the service to officially take effect in the postal system, so you should register a few days before moving).
6. Comprehensive checklist of things to do after moving
To make sure you do not miss anything, save the comprehensive checklist below:
| Procedure | Japanese name (Romaji) | Deadline | Fee (As of 8/2026) | Location / Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Register move-out from old address | 転出届 (Tenshutsu-todoke) | Within 14 days before/after moving | 0 JPY | Former City/Ward Office (or online through Myna Portal) |
| Register new address | 転入届 (Tennyu-todoke) | Within 14 days of moving in | 0 JPY | New City/Ward Office |
| Change address within the same ward | 転居届 (Tenkyo-todoke) | Within 14 days of moving in | 0 JPY | Current City/Ward Office |
| Update residence card | 在留カード (Zairyu card) | At the same time as Tennyu/Tenkyo | 0 JPY | Administrative counter at the City/Ward Office |
| Update My Number | マイナンバーカード (My number card) | At the same time as Tennyu/Tenkyo | 0 JPY | Administrative counter at the City/Ward Office |
| Change driver's license address | 運転免許証 (Unten menkyosho) | As soon as possible | 0 JPY | Police station (Keisatsusho) / Driver's license center |
| Forward mail | 転居届 / e転居 (e-Tenkyo) | Before or immediately after moving | 0 JPY (Free for 1 year) | Post office or online through the e-Tenkyo website |
| Bank accounts & credit cards | 銀行口座・クレジットカード (Ginko koza) | Within the first week | 0 JPY | Internet Banking app / Branch counter |
| Electricity, gas, water | 電気・ガス・水道 (Denki, Gasu, Suido) | 1-2 weeks before moving day | Based on actual usage | Call by phone or apply online to change service location |
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can I ask a friend to submit my Tennyu-todoke or Tenkyo-todoke at the City/Ward Office for me?
Answer: Yes, but the person handling the procedure must either be a member of the same household (such as a spouse) or have a Power of Attorney (委任状 - ininjo) signed by you, together with the original identification document of the authorized person.
Q. What should I do if I forget to register my address within 14 days?
Answer: Bring your residence card and Move-out Certificate (Tenshutsu shomeisho) to your new City/Ward Office and complete the procedure immediately. Honestly explain the objective reason for the delay (such as a business trip or illness). Usually, if you are only a few days to a few weeks late and this is your first violation, City/Ward Office staff will give you a gentle warning rather than impose the maximum fine of 50.000 JPY.
Q. Where can I obtain a copy of my Certificate of Residence (住民票 - Juminhyo), and how much does it cost?
Answer: You can request one directly at the City/Ward Office where you now live, or print one at convenience-store kiosks (Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) if you have a My Number Card. The fee for obtaining one from a convenience-store kiosk is usually 200 - 300 JPY/copy (~35.000 - 50.000 VND), approximately 100 JPY cheaper than requesting one at the counter as of August 8/2026.
Q. Can the 1-year mail forwarding service be extended after it expires?
Answer: Yes. Before the 1-year period expires, you can complete the e-Tenkyo procedure again to extend the free forwarding service for another 1 year.
Conclusion
Moving in Japan requires careful preparation and several steps, but as long as you remember the 14-day golden window for the essential administrative procedures (Tenshutsu, Tennyu, residence card, and My Number), everything will proceed quickly and smoothly. Take care of each task using the checklist above so you can enjoy your new living space with peace of mind!
If you are planning to look for a new apartment or want to learn more about everyday life in Japan, visit the tips section at OlaChill Blog. Also, once you have settled in and want to spend a relaxing weekend with your loved ones, check out the exciting itineraries at Day Tours from Tokyo or find more general information on the OlaChill homepage.
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