Juminhyo (住民票): what the certificate of residence is and how to get one

A juminhyo (住民票) is a certified copy of your resident record at the city office, and it proves where you live in Japan. Foreign residents get one once they register an address, if they have a lawful status and a stay of over 3 months. As of October 2026 a copy costs ¥300 at the Meguro City counter or ¥200 at a Meguro convenience-store machine with a My Number card. It can show your nationality, status of residence and period of stay, but in Meguro only if you ask.

What is a juminhyo?

住民票 means resident record. Every city keeps one for each registered resident. The paper you take away is a certified copy (住民票の写し), but almost everyone just calls it a 住民票.

You get a record when you register your address. Meguro City says a new arrival must notify the ward office within 14 days of settling at an address, with a passport and residence card (在留カード). When you move to another city, you file a moving-in notice (転入届) within 14 days of the move. See moving within Japan.

Meguro says only people with a lawful status of residence and a period of stay over 3 months get a 住民票. Tourists and other short-term visitors don’t have one.

What does a foreigner’s juminhyo show?

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省) lists what the record holds. Your copy prints only the items you ask for or the city includes by default, and the defaults vary by city.

Your name follows the spelling on your residence card. Special permanent residents have their certificate number on the record instead of a residence card number.

Addresses from before 9 July 2012 aren’t on the record. Your history under the old alien registration system is held by the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁). Meguro says to apply there for a 外国人登録原票記載事項証明書 if you need it, because the ward office can’t issue one.

Which items should you ask for?

Meguro City issues copies with these items left out by default for foreign residents: head of household and relationship, My Number, resident record code, nationality, your resident category, status of residence, period of stay, its expiry date, residence card number and alias history. If you need any of them, say so at the counter.

The receiver decides what you need. Read their checklist before you go:

• Permanent residency: the immigration bureau wants a 住民票 for your whole household, with My Number left out and every other item included, issued within 3 months. See permanent residency requirements.
• Driver’s license conversion: the Tokyo police ask foreign residents for a 住民票 with the specified items (特定事項). See converting a foreign license.
• Wise: a 住民票 issued in the last 6 months that shows your 12-digit My Number works as your My Number document. Name, date of birth and address must match your ID and Wise profile exactly. See sending money from Japan.
• Japan Post Bank: if your residence card has no photo, show another document such as a 住民票 when you open an account. See bank accounts for foreigners.

At the counter you can say: 在留資格と在留期間、在留カード番号、国籍を記載してください (Please include my status, period of stay, residence card number and nationality).

How do you get a juminhyo at the city office?

In Meguro you can get your own copy or one for a member of your household. A person in a separate household needs a power of attorney (委任状), even at the same address.

Kawasaki City says you don’t need a personal seal (印鑑) if you sign the request form yourself. Meguro’s ward office is open on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:00, and also on Saturdays and usually the second Sunday from 10:00 to 16:30.

Can you get a juminhyo at a convenience store?

Yes, if your city offers convenience-store issuance (コンビニ交付) and you have a My Number card. Meguro City’s terms, as of October 2026:

• Fee: ¥200 a copy, even when the counter would be free. No refunds.
• Hours: 6:30 to 23:00, except maintenance days and the New Year holidays.
• Where: multi-copy machines (キオスク端末) in convenience stores and similar shops.
• You need: a My Number card with a valid user certificate and its 4-digit PIN, or an Android phone with the smartphone certificate, or an iPhone with the My Number card in Apple Wallet. You must be 15 or older.
• Your choices: foreign residents can pick nationality, status, period of stay, expiry date, card number, household details and, from 1 October 2026, My Number.

In Meguro you can’t get a deleted record (除票), address history before your previous address, or the resident record code at a machine. The service also stops once you or a household member files a moving-out notice. For the card itself, see My Number card for foreigners.

Can you get a juminhyo in English?

Probably not. Kawasaki City says its ward offices can’t issue a 住民票 in a foreign language. You can translate it yourself or ask a translation company. If the receiver wants a translation made by a government office, ask your embassy or consulate.

Before you translate, ask the receiver whether they accept your own translation, and whether it must be signed. Keep the Japanese original with it.

Juminhyo vs residence card: what’s the difference?

Your residence card is issued by the Immigration Services Agency, and you must carry it. The 住民票 is a paper copy of your city record, and you request a fresh one each time someone needs it. Receivers set an age limit: immigration wants a copy issued within 3 months, Wise within 6. Don’t order copies far in advance.

The two must match. Your 住民票 takes its name, status and period of stay from your residence card. For visa or permanent residency questions about your own case, ask the immigration bureau or an immigration specialist (行政書士).

More guides: My Number card for foreigners · moving within Japan · permanent residency requirements · converting a foreign license