Daily Life Lessons · City Office
Understand the requirement to carry your residence card and the deadlines and offices for notifications such as changes of address or name, loss of the card, and renewal of its validity period, and be able to complete procedures yourself within the deadline when needed.
Mid- to long-term residents are issued a residence card (在留カード). If you are 16 or older, you must carry it at all times and show it when requested by a police officer or other authorized official (people under 16 are exempt from the carrying requirement).
The main deadline for notifications is "within 14 days." When you decide where to live or when you move, take your residence card to the city/ward/town office and notify them. If your name, date of birth, sex, nationality, or similar details change, or if your residence card is lost or stolen, notify the regional immigration services office (地方出入国在留管理官署) that covers your place of residence. If it is lost or stolen, report it to the police first. Depending on your status of residence, you may also need to notify within 14 days when you change companies or schools; this can also be done online.
Renewing your period of stay (在留期間) and renewing the validity period of the residence card itself are separate procedures. Check the expiration date written on your card.
在留（ざいりゅう）カードの きまり：
- 16さい 以上の 人は、いつも 持ち歩きます。 - 警察官（けいさつかん）などに 言われたら 見せます。
14日 以内に 届け出（とどけで）が 必要な とき： - 住む 場所が 決まった、引っ越した → 市役所・区役所 - 名前や 国籍（こくせき）が 変わった → 入管（にゅうかん） - カードを なくした、とられた → まず 警察、それから 入管 - 在留資格（ざいりゅうしかく）に よっては、会社や 学校が 変わった とき も 届け出ます。インターネットでも できます。
カードの 期限（きげん）も 見て おきましょう。
What is the deadline for the main residence card notifications (change of address or name, loss, etc.)?
The main notifications must be made within 14 days from the day the reason arose (for loss and similar cases, the day you found out).
When you move, where do you notify your new address?
If you submit a moving-in notification (転入届) or change-of-address notification (転居届) at the city/ward/town office with your residence card, this counts as notifying your place of residence.
What should you do if you lose your residence card?
For loss or theft, first report it to the police, then apply for reissuance within 14 days at the regional immigration services office that covers your place of residence.
What must mid- to long-term residents aged 16 or older do with their residence card?
People aged 16 or older must carry it at all times and show it when requested.
What should you do if your name changes because you got married?
Changes to your name, nationality, and so on must be notified to the regional immigration services office that covers your place of residence within 14 days.
Q. Is there a fee for reissuance?
A. There is no fee for reissuance due to loss or theft. You need an application form, a photo, your passport (or a certificate of status of residence (在留資格証明書)), the receipt number of your police report, and so on. For details, check the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) website.
Q. Can I combine my residence card and My Number Card into one card?
A. From June 14, 2026, the "Specified Residence Card" (特定在留カード), which has the functions of the My Number Card, became available. Getting it is optional, and you can continue to have two separate cards as before. You can apply at a regional immigration services bureau or at your municipal office when you go through residence procedures or notify your place of residence.
Q. What happens when I leave Japan?
A. If you leave Japan without a re-entry permit (再入国許可, including a special re-entry permit (みなし再入国許可)), you return your residence card at the airport or other port. If you plan to come back to Japan, check how re-entry works before you leave.
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Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original