Procedures for Issuing Special Permanent Resident Certificates

About the Specific Special Permanent Resident Certificate

From June 14, 2026, the issuance of the "Specified Special Permanent Resident Certificate," which integrates the Special Permanent Resident Certificate and the My Number Card, has begun.

Since integration with the My Number Card is optional, it is still possible to hold the Special Permanent Resident Certificate and the My Number Card separately.

For details about the system, please visit the Immigration Services Agency's website.

• About the Application for Issuance of the Specified Special Permanent Resident Certificate (Immigration Services Agency)(External link)

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About the Special Permanent Resident Certificate

The Special Permanent Resident Certificate is issued to certify the legal status of special permanent residents and includes information such as name, date of birth, gender, nationality/region, residence, and the expiration date of the validity period.

From June 14, 2026, the "Designated Special Permanent Resident Certificate" was introduced, and the Special Permanent Resident Certificate also adopted a new format, with changes to the information displayed on the card.

• Immigration Services Agency Leaflet (Japanese-English bilingual) (PDF 3.4 MB)

Validity Period

Validity Period of Special Permanent Resident Certificate Issued by June 13, 2026

• For those under 16 years old: The day before their 16th birthday (If issued before November 1, 2023, the 16th birthday)
• For those aged 16 and over: Until the 7th birthday after various applications and notifications

Validity period of the Special Permanent Resident Certificate issued on or after June 14, 2026

• For those under 18 years old: Until the 5th birthday after issuance
• For those 18 years old and over: Until the 10th birthday after issuance

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Regarding Application for Renewal of Validity Period

Update Period

Please apply from 3 months before the expiration date of the validity period stated on the Special Permanent Resident Certificate until the expiration date.
However, if the expiration date is set as the 16th birthday, you can apply from six months before that birthday.

Items to Bring

• Special Permanent Resident Certificate or Deemed Special Permanent Resident Certificate (Former Alien Registration Certificate)
• Valid passport (for those who possess it only)
• One photograph (4 cm height × 3 cm width, taken within the last 6 months)

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Regarding the Special Permanent Resident Certificate (formerly Foreign Resident Registration Certificate)

As of July 9, 2012, the foreign resident registration certificate you hold will be regarded as a "Special Permanent Resident Certificate" and can continue to be used for the time being after the new system is implemented. However, you will need to change it to a Special Permanent Resident Certificate by the specified date below.
For details on the procedure, please refer to "About the Application for Renewal of Validity Period."

Expiration Date

• Persons under 16 years old as of July 9, 2012
  Until the 16th birthday
• Persons aged 16 and over as of July 9, 2012
  • Persons whose "next confirmation (replacement) application deadline" arrives by July 8, 2015
    Until July 8, 2015
  • Persons whose "next confirmation (replacement) application deadline" arrives on or after July 9, 2015
    Until the birthday marking the start of the next confirmation (replacement) application deadline

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Application for Reissuance Due to Loss, etc.

If you lose possession of your Special Permanent Resident Certificate (including the Deemed Special Permanent Resident Certificate) due to loss, theft, destruction, or other reasons, please apply for reissuance within 14 days from the day you become aware of the fact (or, if you become aware of it outside Japan, within 14 days from the date of your first re-entry thereafter).

Items to Bring

• Valid passport (for those who possess it only)
• One photograph (4 cm height × 3 cm width, taken within the last 6 months) Note: Not required for those under 1 year old
• Official documents proving the loss (such as a lost property report certificate or theft report certificate issued by the police chief or fire chief, disaster certificate, etc.)
• Identification documents (such as a driver's license)

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Application for Reissuance Due to Damage, etc.

If the Special Permanent Resident Certificate (including the Deemed Special Permanent Resident Certificate in cases of significant damage or soiling; however, excluding the Deemed Special Permanent Resident Certificate if the IC record is damaged) is significantly damaged or soiled, or if the IC record embedded is damaged, you may apply for reissuance.

Items to Bring

• Special Permanent Resident Certificate or Deemed Special Permanent Resident Certificate (Former Alien Registration Certificate)
• Valid passport (for those who possess it only)
• One photograph (4 cm height × 3 cm width, taken within the last 6 months) Note: Not required for those under 1 year old

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Application for Reissuance Due to Exchange Request

Even in cases other than damage, if you wish to exchange your Special Permanent Resident Certificate (excluding the Deemed Special Permanent Resident Certificate), you can apply for reissuance. In that case, a fee of 1,900 yen will be charged, so please bring a revenue stamp (purchased at a post office, etc.) at the time of issuance.

Note: In the case of a Specific Special Permanent Resident Certificate, an additional fee will be charged. For details, please contact the Citizen Affairs Division.

Items to Bring

• Special Permanent Resident Certificate
• Valid passport (for those who possess it only)
• One photograph (4 cm height × 3 cm width, taken within the last 6 months) Note: Not required for those under 1 year old
• Revenue stamps (Please bring them when you receive)

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Regarding Changes to Items Other Than Residence Address

If there are changes to "Name," "Date of Birth," "Gender," or "Nationality/Region," please apply for a change of the recorded information on the Special Permanent Resident Certificate at the Citizen Affairs Division on the first floor of City Hall within 14 days.
In the future, the Minister of Justice will issue a new special permanent resident certificate displaying the updated information through our city, and the special permanent resident certificates currently held must be returned to the Ministry of Justice through our city in principle.

Items to Bring

• Special Permanent Resident Certificate or Deemed Special Permanent Resident Certificate (Former Alien Registration Certificate)
• Valid passport (for those who possess it only)
• Documents certifying that changes have occurred
• One photograph (4 cm height × 3 cm width, taken within the last 6 months) Note: Not required for those under 1 year old

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Applicant

• 16 years old and above: The person themselves
• Under 16 years old: A cohabiting relative aged 16 or older (father or mother, or a cohabiting relative)

There may be cases where applications can be made through other agents or intermediaries, so please contact the Citizen Affairs Division for details.

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Reception Desk and Reception Hours

Inagi City Hall 1st Floor Citizen Affairs Division

8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays when the office is open

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