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  4. Residence Registration Timing Guide: The Correct Way to Transfer Your Address Before or After Moving In
Moving In

Residence Registration Timing Guide: The Correct Way to Transfer Your Address Before or After Moving In

2026-04-26

Explains the best timing for moving your residence registration (notifications to move out and move in). This guide covers the pros and cons of transferring before move-in, deadlines and penalties for after, and the correct procedures including address changes on foreigners' residence cards.

Residence Registration Timing Guide: The Correct Way to Transfer Your Address Before or After Moving In
#Residence Certificate#Change Of Address#Moving Notification#Moving Procedures#Residence Card
森

Reviewed by: Nobuyuki MoriPresident, M-Assets Co., Ltd. / Licensed Real Estate Transaction Specialist (Miyagi #018212)

Table of contents

  1. 01Residence Registration Basics: The Legal Deadline Is "Within 14 Days After Moving In"
  2. 02The Process of Notifications to Move Out and Move In
  3. 03Best Timing for Submitting Your Notification to Move Out
  4. 04Consequences of Delaying Your Residence Registration Transfer
  5. 05For Foreign Residents: Change Your Residence Card Address Within 14 Days Too
  6. 06Summary: File Your Notification of Arrival as Soon as Possible After Moving

Residence Registration Basics: The Legal Deadline Is "Within 14 Days After Moving In"

The transfer of residence registration (notification of arrival) is legally required to be submitted to the municipal office of your new address within 14 days of moving in, according to Article 22 of the Residential Dominicile Law. In other words, within 14 days after moving in is the legal deadline. If you violate this, Article 53 of the same law imposes a fine of up to ¥50,000 (though actual enforcement is rare, it remains an administrative requirement).

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You may wonder, "Can I submit my change-of-address notification before moving in?" However, legally, you can only file a notification of arrival for the place where you actually reside (or plan to reside). Submissions before move-in are generally not accepted.

The Process of Notifications to Move Out and Move In

When your old and new addresses are in different municipalities:

  1. Submit a "notification to move out" at your old municipality's office (you can submit anytime from 14 days before to the move date) → receive a "notification to move out" certificate
  2. Move to your new home
  3. Submit a "notification of arrival" at the new municipality's office (within 14 days from the move date) → bring your notification to move out certificate

If you're moving within the same municipality, only a "change of address notification" is needed (notifications to move out and arrive are not required).

If you have a My Number Card, you can submit your notification to move out online through the My Number Portal. However, notifications of arrival currently still require submission at the office (as of 2025).

Best Timing for Submitting Your Notification to Move Out

You can submit your notification to move out anytime from 14 days before to the day of your move. Once your move date is set, it's convenient to submit it early.

Submitting a few days before the move date rather than on moving day saves you a trip to the office on that day. However, the notification to move out certificate has an expiration period (roughly 14 days), so submitting too early risks it expiring before you file your notification of arrival. About one week before your move is the optimal timing.

Consequences of Delaying Your Residence Registration Transfer

If your residence registration remains at your old address, you'll face these practical problems:

  • •Your driver's license renewal notice goes to your old address, risking you missing the renewal deadline
  • •You won't receive your voting notice (you'd have to vote at your old address)
  • •Important documents from banks, insurance companies, and pension providers don't reach you
  • •Switching your national health insurance and national pension is delayed
  • •Your child's school transfer procedures can't proceed

In particular, national health insurance requires processing at the time of your notification of arrival, so filing your notification of arrival promptly after moving in gets you your insurance card sooner.

For Foreign Residents: Change Your Residence Card Address Within 14 Days Too

Foreign residents (long-term residents) are legally required to change the address on their residence card within 14 days in addition to filing a change of residence registration (Article 19-9 of the Immigration and Refugee Recognition Act).

You can change your residence card address at the same time as filing your notification of arrival at the municipal office. Just tell the staff, "Please also update my residence card address," and your new address will be noted on the back of your card (free of charge).

Violations can result in a fine of up to ¥200,000 or cancellation of your residence status, so foreign residents must be especially careful.

Summary: File Your Notification of Arrival as Soon as Possible After Moving

The legal deadline for residence registration transfer is "within 14 days after moving in," but we recommend handling it within the first week of moving. In particular, related procedures like national health insurance, your child's school transfer, and residence card changes (for foreign residents) can be completed early, making your transition smoother.

Documents needed when submitting your notification of arrival: notification to move out certificate (not needed for moves within the same municipality), identification documents (My Number Card, residence card, passport, etc.), and a stamp/seal (required in some municipalities).

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This article explains the moving procedures for those with a My Number Card. We'll cover address changes when filing your change of address notification, continuous-use procedures, how to use online applications, what happens if you miss deadlines, and more—all with the latest 2026 procedure information.

Complete Guide to Residence Card Address Change — Foreigner's Procedure to Complete Within 14 Days After Moving

Essential residence card address change procedures for foreigners after moving. Expert explanation of the 14-day rule, how to register with your municipal office, and risks and solutions if you forget.

Complete Post-Move Administrative Procedures Checklist—Resident Registration, Driver's License, Financial Institutions, and 28 Items Total

A comprehensive breakdown of 28 essential administrative procedures needed after moving, presented as a checklist. From resident registration transfers to driver's license, My Number Card, bank, credit card, insurance, and workplace notifications—clarifying the priority order and deadlines for each procedure.

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