Family Registry System

 

The Family Registry System is a Japanese system in which the information such as births and marriages are recorded and stored. Foreign residents are not subjected to the family registry system but they are required by law to report information regarding births and deaths during their stay in Japan to city hall. Declarations of marriage and divorce may also be submitted to city hall. In the event of birth, death, marriage or divorce during the stay in Japan, individuals should report such events to city hall, as well as to the embassy of their own country instantly, and should ensure that all the necessary documentation is filed.

Give birth

Notification is:	Submit the notification to:
Required by law	Japanese city hall, Embassy of the relevant person’s home country

Your family member passes away

Notification is:	Submit the notification to:
Required by law	Japanese city hall, Embassy of the relevant person’s home country

Get married

Notification is:	Submit the notification to:
May be submitted * Your notification may not be accepted in some cases.	Japanese city hall, Embassy of the relevant person’s home country

Get divorced

Notification is:	Submit the notification to:
May be submitted * Your notification may not be accepted in some cases.	Japanese city hall, Embassy of the relevant person’s home country

 

Birth of a Child

When your child is born in Japan, you are legally required to submit a declaration of birth to the city hall.

Due date: Within 14 days of the child’s birth

Place of submission: City hall of the residence or child’s birth place

Required documents:

1. Birth certificate (Japanese birth report. You can obtain it from the hospital.)
2. Maternal and Child Health Handbook (if you have one)

 

Death

When a foreigner dies in Japan, a declaration of death is legally required by law to be submitted to city hall.
Due date: Within 7 days of knowing the death
Place of submission: City hall where the deceased individual lived or the location where she/he died Person to report the death: The family, relatives, or household members of the deceased individual
Required documents:

1. Death certificate signed by a doctor
2. Deceased individual’s passport
3. Deceased individual’s National Health Insurance card and a Pension Book

*A burial and cremation permit will be issued by the city hall when the death report is submitted.

 

Marriage

The requirements for getting married differ by country. Therefore, the necessary documents are different in each case. For details, inquire at the city hall that has your resident registration records. When foreign residents living in Japan want to report their marriage to a Japanese city hall, they must bring the following:

1. Declaration of marriage
   *The signatures of two adult witnesses are required.
2. Passport (Document verifying their nationality)
3. Certificate of legal capacity to be married (Document verifying that the persons involved have met the requirements for marriage. It varies depending on the laws of countries.)

*Japanese translations of all of these documents are required.

 

Divorce

The requirements for getting divorced differ by country. For details, inquire at the family registry section of the city hall where you completed your resident registration, or at a relevant institution representing your country of citizenship.

Inquiries: Family Register Subsection, Residents Support Section, Shiba Regional City Office; Counter Services Subsection, Residents Support Section, each Regional City Office (excludes Shiba)

Tel:

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