Personal Seal Registration （印鑑登録）
Types of seal（印鑑の種類）
In Japan, personal seals (hanko) are sometimes used in place of a signature. There are various types of seal, used for different purposes.
◆Unregistered seal（認印）: A small seal, used in the same way as a signature, for example when signing for receipt of parcels, etc.
★The seal you used when opening a bank account (your ‘bank seal’) is important. You will need it when withdrawing money using your bank book, and when you want to close your account, so be sure to keep it carefully.
◆ Name seal（ネーム印）: A seal that does not need a separate ink pad, but that contains ink within the seal itself. It is easy to use, so it is convenient when stamping to confirm receipt of a parcel, etc.
◆ Registered seal（実印）: A seal needed for important documents, for example when buying land or a car. You need to register the imprint (the mark made by the seal) at the City Office.
※ You can have a personal seal made at a hanko shop, etc. Please note that depending on the material you choose for the seal, etc., the price can vary significantly.
Personal Seal Registration（印鑑登録）
In Japan, when using a seal on important documents (such as the contract when buying land, a house, or a car), you need proof that the stamp being used has been registered. If you have completed resident registration in Higashihiroshima City, and you are 15 years of age or older, you can register a seal.
One individual can only register one seal. When the registration is complete,you will be issued with a personal seal registration card(印鑑登録証). However, if the individual does not have identification with a photograph of his/her face, or if the formalities are being completed by a proxy, the Certificate of Seal Registration (card) may not be able to be issued soon.
<Necessary Items>
□The seal you wish to register (name seals and seals made from rubber cannot be registered)
□Your residence card
□(If a proxy is registering the seal for you) A letter of attorney written by you
Seals that can be registered
1. A seal whose imprint (the mark made by the seal) is between 8mm x 8mm and 25mm x 25mm in size.
2. A seal whose imprint is not likely to change (seals made from rubber cannot be registered).
3. A seal which shows your name as written in your home country, a name you use in Japan, or your name in katakana (as shown with your name on official documents).
★If you are from a country where names are shown other than in Japanese characters (kanji), for example in the Roman alphabet, you can register a seal using a name written in the alphabet. If you wish to register a seal using katakana, you will need to register the katakana name. You cannot register a seal using a name converted from hiragana/katakana to kanji (ateji).
★You cannot register a seal with a shortened name or with initials only.
★If you are from a country where names are shown in Chinese characters, you cannot register a seal using katakana, but you can register a seal using an alphabetic name or Chinese characters.
However, if you wish to register a seal using Chinese characters, you need to register your name in Chinese characters on your Residence Card. You can only register a seal which contains characters shown in the details on your Residence Card.
★The formalities to register a personal seal cost 300 yen.
Issuance of Certificates of Seal Registration（印鑑登録証明書の交付）
When you use a registered seal, a Certificate of Seal Registration proves that the seal you are using is the real one.
You can obtain a Certificate of Seal Registration from the Citizens’ Affairs Division in the City Office, or from a branch office or sub-branch office of the City Office, by showing your personal seal registration card. There is no need to take your registered seal with you when obtaining the certificate, but if you do not have your personal seal registration card with you, you will not be able to be issued with a Certificate of Seal Registration.
However, the certificate can be issued when the person who registered the seal brings an identification document with a photograph (a Residence Card, a My Number Card, a passport, a driving license, etc.).
★The fee for one certificate is 330 yen.
★ If you have a My Number card, you can obtain Certificates of Seal Registration from the multi-copy machines in convenience stores (Seven-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart) across Japan.
Cancelation of Personal Seal Registration（印鑑登録の廃止）
When you complete the formalities for moving out of the city (including to another country), your seal registration will be canceled automatically.
If you wish to register your seal in the municipality you move to, please complete the formalities in the office of the municipality you move to.
Inquiries
Citizens' Affairs Division （Shimin-ka, 市民課）: 082-420-0925
Location: 1F Main building
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更新日：2023年03月25日