Moving-out certificate Japan (tenshutsu todokede)

Whenever you change your residential address in Japan—whether moving across Tokyo to another ward, relocating to a different prefecture, or leaving the country permanently—you must complete official address notifications with local municipal offices.

Failing to update your registered address violates the Residential Registration Act and can lead to a fine of up to ¥50,000, as well as complications with residence card renewals and mail delivery.

The 2-Step Relocation Process

Moving between different municipalities in Japan requires a strict two-step administrative sequence:

Step 1: File a Moving-Out Notification (転出届 - Tenshutsu Todokede) at your old municipal office before you move (or up to 14 days after moving). You will be issued a Moving-Out Certificate (転出証明書 - Tenshutsu Shomeisho).
Step 2: File a Move-In Notification (転入届 - Tennyu Todokede) at your new municipal office within 14 days of moving in, presenting your Moving-Out Certificate and Residence Card.

Note: If you are simply moving to a new apartment within the same ward or city, you do not file a Moving-Out Notification. Instead, you file a single Change of Address Notification (転居届 - Tenkyo Todokede) at your local office.

Filing Online via MynaPortal (My Number Card)

Since February 2023, anyone who holds a valid My Number Card with active electronic certificates can submit their Moving-Out Notification online through the MynaPortal (マイナポータル) app.

No visit required to your old city hall: Submit the request on your smartphone using your card's 4-digit and 6–16 character PINs.
Digital transfer: MynaPortal transmits your departure data directly to your new municipality electronically. You do not receive a paper Moving-Out Certificate.
Visiting the new office: You still need to visit your new city hall in person within 14 days of moving to present your physical Residence Card and My Number Card to complete the move-in.

Filing In-Person at the Ward Office

If you do not have a My Number Card or prefer to file in person, visit the Resident Registration window (住民課 / 市民課) at your old ward office with:

Your Residence Card (Zairyu Card)
Your Passport
Your personal seal (Hanko) if used, though a signature is usually accepted
Your old National Health Insurance card/certificate (if enrolled under Kokumin Kenko Hoken)

Moving Out When Leaving Japan Permanently

If you are leaving Japan for good, filing your Moving-Out Notification is essential. It informs the municipality that you will no longer be a resident as of your departure date, which:

Cancels your local National Health Insurance and National Pension enrolment
Ensures Residence Tax (住民税) is settled correctly for the remaining period
Prevents future tax bills and warning notices from being mailed to an empty address

When leaving permanently, specify your departure date on the form and present your plane ticket or confirmation if requested.

Essential Counter Phrases

転出届を提出したいです。 — Tenshutsu todokede o teishutsu shitai desu. — I would like to submit a moving-out notification.
他の区（市）へ引っ越します。 — Hoka no ku (shi) e hikkoshimasu. — I am moving to another ward (city).
帰国するため転出します。 — Kikoku suru tame tenshutsu shimasu. — I am moving out to return to my home country.

Where to confirm this

Guides are dated rather than undated: last reviewed 12 August 2026. This is an organisational aid, not legal or immigration advice — always confirm anything consequential with your ward office, the Immigration Services Agency, or a qualified professional.