Your Individual Number and My Number Card (マイナンバー)
For you if: you filed your moving-in notice (転入届).
- After your moving-in notice, the city office tells you your Individual Number. It has 12 digits.
- You can apply for an Individual Number Card (マイナンバーカード). Your first card is free.
- Apply at the city office, by smartphone, by PC, by mail, or at some photo booths.
Steps
- Get the notice of your Individual Number from the city office.
- Apply for the card. Use the form that comes with the notice.This can be different in each city.
- About 1 month later, a postcard comes from the city office.
- Take the postcard and the papers it lists to the city office. Get your card there.
What to bring
More details
What is the Individual Number? It is a 12-digit number. It is used for social security, tax, and disaster procedures.
What can the card do?
- Show who you are (identity document).
- File your income tax online.
- Get a certificate of residence at a convenience store. Some cities do not offer this.
- Use it as a health insurance card at hospitals and pharmacies that accept it.
When your period of stay changes. Your card expires when your period of stay ends. After you renew your period of stay, go to the city office. Extend your card before it expires.
When your address or name changes. Tell the city office.
At the end, check at the counter. You can show this card.
窓口の方へ
マイナンバーカードを申し込みたいです。
This card says: “I want to apply for a My Number Card.”
窓口の方へ
マイナンバーカードを受け取りに来ました。
このはがきが届きました。
This card says: “I came to receive my My Number Card. I got this postcard.”
Official information
- Guidebook on Living and Working, 7th edition (English, March 2025)Immigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁)www.moj.go.jp · Opens an English website
- How to apply for the My Number Card (English)J-LIS (地方公共団体情報システム機構)www.kojinbango-card.go.jp · Opens an English website
- How to receive the My Number Card (English)J-LIS (地方公共団体情報システム機構)www.kojinbango-card.go.jp · Opens an English website