Guide
What is a juminhyo? Japan's certificate of residence, explained
A juminhyo (住民票) is Japan's municipal resident record, documenting who lives at an address, when they registered, and the makeup of the household. If an immigration office, bank, or pension agency asks for a "certificate of residence from Japan," this is the document required. Below is an overview of what it contains, how to request one even after moving abroad, and when you need a certified English translation.
Juminhyo vs. koseki: not the same document
Japan keeps two separate registers about you, and overseas authorities frequently ask for one when they actually need the other.
- The juminhyo records where you live. Maintained by the municipal office of your current or former address, it shows your street address, date of registration, previous address, and household details. What you receive at the counter is formally a copy of the resident record (juminhyo no utsushi), but officials and everyone else simply call it a juminhyo.
- The koseki records family events. It tracks births, marriages, divorces, and deaths, and is registered to your legal domicile (honseki) rather than where you live. Immigration filings often require both documents. For information on the family register, see our guide on translating your own koseki.
What a juminhyo lists
Standard entries include your full name, date of birth, sex, address, date of registration at the current address, previous address, and relationship to the head of household. Certain fields appear only if explicitly requested when ordering the certificate: other household members and their relationships, registered domicile (honseki), MyNumber, and, for foreign residents, nationality and status of residence. Receiving authorities typically specify which optional entries they require, so check their guidelines before requesting the document.
Below is a sample of how a residence certificate appears in certified English translation, using fictitious details:
CERTIFICATE OF RESIDENCE
(JUMINHYO — 住民票)
| Name | YAMADA Taro |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 5, 1990 |
| Sex | Male |
| Relationship to head of household | Head of household |
| Address | 1-2-3 Honmachi, Chuo City, Wakayama Prefecture |
| Date of registration at current address | April 1, Heisei 30 (2018) |
| Previous Address | 4-5-6 Sakuramachi, Kita City, Osaka Prefecture |
This is to certify that the above is a true copy of the resident record on file.
August 1, Reiwa 8 (2026)
Mayor of Chuo City, Wakayama Prefecture
[Official seal: Mayor of Chuo City]
How to get a juminhyo
- In Japan: You can obtain a copy in person at your municipal office, by mail, or at a convenience store terminal using a MyNumber card. Only the municipality where you are registered can issue the record, and it is issued in Japanese only, and there is no English version.
- From overseas, through a proxy: Municipalities accept requests submitted by a designated proxy (dairinin) carrying a signed power of attorney. Most offices also accept applications sent by mail from abroad, though procedural details vary. Having a friend or family member in Japan visit the counter with your power of attorney is usually the fastest option.
- After you have moved out of Japan: Once your move abroad is processed, your entry is archived and the municipality issues a removed resident record (juminhyo no jokyo). This document confirms your final Japanese address and departure date, which is usually what overseas procedures need as proof of past residence in Japan. Under a 2019 statutory revision, removed records are retained for 150 years instead of the previous five, so records once considered unobtainable may now be issued.
When you need it translated
Because Japanese municipalities issue records only in Japanese, submissions abroad require an English translation. Official procedures generally require a certified translation accompanied by a signed statement of accuracy from the translator. Common examples include visa and immigration filings establishing residence history, overseas pension and social security claims, international banking requirements tied to a Japanese address, and driver licence exchanges where residence proof is accepted. A certified juminhyo translation mirrors the certificate's format so reviewing officers can easily compare it against the Japanese original line by line.
Common questions
- Can I get a juminhyo in English? No. Municipalities issue documents exclusively in Japanese. The accepted route is a certified English translation of the Japanese original.
- Is "certificate of residence" the same as juminhyo? In the context of Japanese public records, yes, it is the standard English term. However, Japanese consulates abroad issue a different certificate, the zairyu shomei (certificate of residence abroad), which confirms a Japanese citizen's residence outside Japan rather than their address within Japan.
- I left Japan years ago. Can I still prove I lived there? In most cases, yes. You can request the removed resident record (juminhyo no jokyo) from the municipal office of your last address in Japan.
- Do I need the honseki or MyNumber printed? Follow the document instructions of the requesting authority. As a rule, leave MyNumber off the certificate unless it is explicitly requested, as many authorities refuse documents that include it.
A certified juminhyo translation costs $24.95 per page (most juminhyo are a single page), includes a signed certificate of accuracy, and is delivered within 48 hours. Get a fixed quote.