Change Your Name in Japan
From Family Registry (戸籍) and My Number Card update to passport, pension, and banking — your complete step-by-step guide to a legal name change in Japan, covering marriage, divorce, and court-ordered name changes.
Japan Name Change Guides
Family Registry (戸籍) Name Change
How to update the Koseki (Family Registry) at your local municipal office — the primary legal record for all name changes in Japan.
Marriage Name Update
In Japan, one spouse must adopt the other's surname upon marriage by law. Guidance on registering your marriage and updating all records to reflect your new family name.
Family Court Name Change
For name changes outside of marriage — applying to the Family Court (家庭裁判所) for permission to change your given name or surname under special circumstances.
My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) Update
Updating your My Number Card at your municipal office after a name change — required for tax, social security, and government services.
Passport Update
Applying for a new Japanese passport at a Passport Centre (パスポートセンター) after your municipal records and My Number Card are updated.
Banking & Pension Updates
Updating bank accounts, employer records, and Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構) after a legal name change.
The correct order matters
Many institutions require photo ID updated before they'll accept your name change. Follow this order to avoid blocked applications.
Municipal Office — Koseki (Family Registry) Update
Submit a marriage notification (婚姻届), divorce notification, or name change application at your local municipal office (市区町村役場). For marriage: one spouse takes the other's surname. For other name changes: a Family Court order is required first. This is the master record — all other updates depend on it.
Residence Card Update (住民票) — Municipal Office
Your residence record (住民票) is automatically updated when the Koseki is updated at the same municipal office. Confirm this update and obtain a new residence certificate as proof for other institutions.
My Number Card (マイナンバーカード)
Bring your current My Number Card to your municipal office to have it updated with your new name. A sticker may be applied temporarily; a full replacement card will be issued in due course.
Passport (パスポート) — Passport Centre
Apply for a new Japanese passport at your prefectural Passport Centre with your updated residence certificate, My Number Card, and old passport. Bring a completed application form.
Driver's Licence (運転免許証)
Visit your nearest Driver's Licence Centre (運転免許センター) or police station with your updated residence certificate to have your licence reissued in your new name.
Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構)
Notify the Japan Pension Service of your name change. This can be done at your municipal office (for National Pension) or through your employer (for Employees' Pension). Update your pension record book (年金手帳) if applicable.
National Health Insurance (国民健康保険)
If enrolled in National Health Insurance, notify your municipal office to update your health insurance card (保険証) with your new name.
Banks & Financial Accounts
Visit each bank branch with your updated residence certificate and new My Number Card (or passport) to update all accounts, cards, and deposits. Major banks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho, Japan Post Bank) all require in-person updates.
Employer & Tax Records
Notify your employer's HR department of your name change so payroll, withholding tax (源泉徴収), and year-end tax adjustment records are updated. Your employer will notify the tax office on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
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NameFlow provides guidance and organisational tools and is not a legal service. For specific legal advice, please consult a qualified Japanese lawyer (弁護士) or judicial scrivener (司法書士).