HOW TO CHANGE YOUR NAME AT JAPAN POST

Hello Everyone! Today I will continue talking about how to change your name in Japan due to marriage! If you haven't already, please check out my how to change your name on your passport and residence card! Today, we will discuss how to change your name on your Japan Post bank account.

STEP 1: GATHER DOCUMENTS

The documents needed to change your name on your bank account are: 

• Passbook
• Cashcard
• Previous name seal 
• Only necessary if you used one to make your account
• New name seal
• Only necessary if you would like to update your seal
• Zairyuu/Residence Card with new name
• Second form of ID with old name
• I was asked to confirm that I actually was (maiden name), so they accepted my old Zairyuu/residence card. They also accept a juminhyo (residence certificate) that displays your old and new name.

STEP 2: FILL OUT NAME CHANGE FORM

Once I handed over my documents, I was then asked to fill out a name change form. This form is used to change your address, name seal, and name. The name of the form in Japanese is: 氏名変更・改印届書（兼住所移転届).

The form is only in Japanese, but it's pretty simple! 

• Box #1: name, address, hanko (check the box that pertains to you. I checked name and hanko)
• Box #2: Input the (記号番号) numbers on the first line from your passbook . It's usually a 5 digit number and a 8 digit number. Don't worry about the boxes with the red triangle. Stamp your old name seal/hanko in the square box to the right.
• Box #3: PART 1: Input your zip code first in the individual boxes, your address in the big box, and your phone number in the individual boxes below. Stamp your new name seal/hanko in the square box to the right.
• Box #3: PART 2 Write your name in katakana in the small individual boxes and then your name in Latin Letters in the bigger individual boxes.
• Box #3: PART 3: Write your birth date in yy/mm/dd format. Your year of birth needs to be converted to the Japanese calendar. For example: I was born in 1989, which is Heisei 01 in the Japanese calendar. Therefore, I checked the 平成 box and wrote 01/mm/dd. Please look up your birth year here!
• Box #3: PART 4: Write your previous name in the box below. Write exactly how it is on your passbook.

If you make any mistakes on the form, the clerk will usually cross it out, ask for your new hanko and stamp the mistake.

STEP 3: RETURN OF DOCUMENTS

After about 45 minutes, the procedure was done and the clerk handed me back all of my documents. 

• PASSBOOK: First he handed me back my passbook. He crossed out my maiden name and hand wrote my new last name, which was accompanied by an official stamp. When my passbook is full, and I come in for a new one, the new one will have my married name printed on the cover top.
• CASHCARD: The clerk returned the old card as is and said that I can expect a new one with my new name in the mail in about two weeks. Once I receive the new card, I just need to cut the old one and throw it away.

• MIJICA CARD: if you have a Mijica debit card with Japan Post, you must call the number on the back of the card and request to change your name separately.

That's it! It did take about an hour, but if you have all the necessary documents, it should go off without a hitch! Now, I am off to changing my health insurance, pension, utilities, credit cards, mobile account and more.... Wish me luck because it's a huge pain of filling out forms, making copies of documents, and sending them in!