Last checked Jun 1, 2026

Ward Office Moving-In Checklist

A practical checklist for address, residence card, health insurance, pension, My Number, and follow-up updates you may need to confirm at a ward or city office after arriving or moving.

Before visiting the office

Confirm which municipality handles your address and where the ward office, city office, or branch office is located.
Prepare your passport, residence card, address details, lease or move-in proof, and any supporting documents from your school or employer.
Check counter hours, reservation rules, language support, and busy periods before you go.

Address and residence card checks

Ask whether you need moving-in, resident registration, address registration, or overseas-arrival procedures.
Confirm whether the address update on the back of your residence card can be handled at the same counter, and check your name, address, and validity period.
If you live with family, confirm whether household details, head-of-household information, or family relationship documents are needed.

Insurance, pension, and My Number

Ask whether you need National Health Insurance or whether your employer, school, or family arrangement handles coverage.
Confirm whether you should ask about National Pension, student payment special systems, exemption, or postponement options.
Confirm how My Number notification, My Number Card application, or post-address-change handling applies to you.

After the office visit

Update your new address or proof documents with your mobile carrier, bank, school, employer, credit card, and delivery services.
Keep receipts, certificates, instructions, and next deadlines from the counter, then photo or scan a backup.
If the explanation is hard to follow, ask staff to write down keywords, deadlines, and the next counter name so you can confirm later.

Source and limits

Compiled from common municipal-office setup flows for foreign residents in Japan, with official government pages linked as starting points for confirmation. Deadlines, documents, counters, and language support vary by municipality, residence status, and household situation.

Last checked Jun 1, 2026

Official sources

Before using this checklist

This checklist is a life setup aid, not legal, administrative, or immigration advice.
Moving-in, registration, insurance, pension, and My Number procedures may have deadlines. Confirm the latest requirements with your municipality and official websites.
If your school, employer, family, or support office gives you a specific process, confirm whether you should follow that order first.