Q:

I recently arrived in Japan, and am working as an employee of a Japanese company. I am living temporarily in a rental apartment, and have been to my local government office to complete my resident registration. I am thinking of renting an apartment in another city and moving, but I was told that I need a personal seal (jitsuin / 実印) for the rental procedure. What should I do? Is there anything I need to do when moving?

A:

Since you have already completed your resident registration, you can register your personal seal (inkan tōroku / 印鑑登録) at the office of the local government at which you are registered as a resident. A seal which you have registered is referred to as jitsuin (実印). There are regulations concerning the specifications of a seal that can be registered as one's jitsuin, and some seals cannot be registered. You will also need to provide documentation such as that verifying your identity (e.g. your Residence Card [zairyū kādo / 在留カード]). For details, please contact the section of your local government office responsible for seal registration.

When moving to a new place, you must submit a notification of moving out (tenshutsu todoke / 転出届) to the local government office where you are currently registered as a resident, and receive a certification of moving out (tenshutsu shōmeisho / 転出証明書). At the same time, you will also need to apply to cancel your seal registration.

Next, you will need to go to the local government office in the municipality where your new residence is and submit a notification of moving in (tennyū todoke / 転入届), attaching the tenshutsu shōmeisho. Other documents may also be required, so it is a good idea to check with the local government office concerned. The notification of moving in must be made within 14 days of moving into a new address. Also, if you are going to need a jitsuin in the future, be sure to register your seal at the same time.

For details on these procedures and the documentation you need, please check with the local government offices concerned.

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