HOW TO CHANGE YOUR NAME IN JAPAN | AMERICAN CITIZEN PT.2


Welcome to the second part of my "Changing My Name in Japan" series! If you haven't already, please check out Part One here! In this article, I will be discussing the second step in changing your surname due to marriage here in Japan. In part one, I discussed how to change your name in America, but now we need to change our name in Japan. Remember, that you should do this procedure within 14 days of receiving your new passport.



STEP 1: VISIT THE JAPANESE IMMIGRATION WEBSITE

After you have changed your name in America and have received your new passport, you need to now change the name on your Zairyu Card/Residence Card. In order to begin the process, I advise you to visit the Ministry of Justice Immigration website, which can be found here!

Once you are on the immigration website, you need to visit the "Notification of a change in an item on the residence card" web page. Please click this link here!

On this web page, you can familiarize yourself with the procedure and documents necessary to change your surname.



STEP 2: GATHER ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS

Once you've read through the web page, I advise you to be as organized as possible during this process. So, please create a checklist if you must.

  • Notification Form/Application
    • You will need to download and print out the application form. Once printed, write legibly and in black or blue ink. If you need a copy of the application, please follow this link here!
  • One 40x30mm photo
    • You will need one 40mmx30mm photo on a white background. This should be fairly easy to obtain because the photo booths near train stations offer these dimensions. Make sure to read the guidelines (no hat, etc.) before taking your photo.
    • Write your full (new name) on the back
  • Marriage Certificate OR Family Registry 
    • You can obtain your marriage certificate from the municipal office you registered your marriage at. This document is called a Juri Shomeisho / 受理証明書. 
  • Passport
    • You will definitely need to bring the passport with your newly changed name. I also brought and presented my old passport with my maiden name too.
  • Residence card
    • You also need to present your residence card. 
  • OPTIONAL: Application Form to have Kanji Characters printed on your residence card. I did not opt for this, so I'm sorry, but I can't offer any advice.

STEP 3: VISIT THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE

After you have gathered all of the necessary documents, you will need to take them to the immigration office that services your address. I chose to visit the Yokohama District Immigration office, which services all Kanagawa residents. You can also visit the Tokyo Regional Immigration Office, and the Kawasaki Branch Office. Visit this link for information on address/hours here!

When you arrive at the Yokohama District Immigration office, you will need to go to the second floor. There is a photo booth on the first floor just in case you need to take your application photo picture. Once on the second floor, visit the counter immediately straight ahead. They will inquire about your visit, perhaps look over your application to make sure you have everything, and then they will send you to a specific counter. 

Once at the counter, present your application. If the officer does not speak/understand English, you can say:

I need to change my name due to marriage.

The officer will check your ID's, and due to Covid, they will ask you to take down your mask. Once identification has been confirmed, they will then give you a number slip. Then you just wait! They may call you up if they notice any discrepancies or mistakes. Otherwise, just wait for your number to be called.

Once your number is called, they will hand you back your identification (passport (s). Then they will hand you your new and old Zairyu Cards. The old card should have a hole in it. The office will ask you to check for any mistakes. 

If there are no mistakes, you are free to go! And there you go! You've changed your name in Japan. From then on, you will need to change your bank accounts, health insurance, pensions, etc.

Good luck, and stay tuned for more articles where I talk about procedures here in Japan!

1 comments

  1. HanJanuary 15, 2025 at 6:46 PM

    Hi Angie,

    I found your blog from someone’s comment on reddit about the topic of changing your name in Japan, so I am glad I found it!

    Like you, I am married to a Japanese national. We got married last May, but only now have I been able to find the time to get started on changing my name.

    I feel very stressed and overwhelmed, but I thank you for your post(s)! I will follow along to your guidance as well as the embassy and immigration website.

    I have been very confused as to where to start, either with my passport or social security card, but it seems if you are living in Japan passport is the first step.

    Do you have a drivers license in America? I am from Washington state, but it seems in order for me to change my name on my license I have to do it in person, I can’t change it online or through the mail…I really want to translate my drivers license to Japanese so I can get my license here, and I was waiting to do that for when my name changed, but not sure if I can anymore…or perhaps I could get my license translated now, get my Japanese license, then when my name is changed on my passport, zairyu card, etc, I can go back to the drivers licensing office in Japan and get my name fixed.

    One other question, did you need to get a court order from your state or county in America to change your name on your social security card? Forgive me if I missed it, but I read your blog about it but I didn’t see anywhere that you needed to do that. I emailed the us federal benefits unit and this was one of the requirements they said they needed.

    I’m sorry for the long comment, but I feel like I just need to let it all out haha.

    Overall, it seems I need to change my name on my passport first before thinking about my social security card and maybe my drivers license. I just really don’t want to mess up legally, especially with taxes.

    Thank you so much!

    Hannah

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