You Can Reserve Your Residency Certificate by Phone—Even Outside of Business Hours! Did You Know?

2022.03.24 published

Shocking! Is this common knowledge...?

Recently, I had an opportunity where I needed to submit my resident certificate.

Isn't it super bothersome to go get such public documents?

After all, if you're just working normally, it's practically impossible to go to the city hall during the designated hours on weekdays (like 8:30 am to 5 pm).

Nowadays, you can easily obtain documents at convenience stores using your My Number card, but I still haven't made mine...

(It seems convenient, and I often think I should get it issued soon, but it feels like a hassle... Apparently, as of 2022, only 42% of the population has received their My Number card...)

I was wondering what to do since I didn't want to take time off work to go to the city hall... then I discovered an unknown fact while looking at the city hall's website!

Surprise!

It turns out that you can apply for a resident certificate by phone and pick it up at your preferred location even outside regular hours (in the evenings or on weekends)!!!

It was written on the Shibuya Ward website!

If you are the person applying or someone living in the same household as the applicant, you can call and say "I would like a resident certificate" to make a reservation, and pick it up at the designated location!

You can choose from multiple pickup locations in your area, and here's an example from Shibuya Ward.

Even on weekdays, it's available until 8 pm! On Saturday, it's open from 10 am to 8 pm! And on Sunday, you can pick it up from 10 am to 4 pm.

How wonderful it is...!

✅ You can apply by phone

✅ Open seven days a week

✅ If they are open from morning to evening on weekends and holidays

It seems that even someone like me who thinks "I really don't have time to go to the city hall..." can manage to apply for and pick it up.

I've always had an impression that city halls only provide service on weekdays, but that's completely not the case!!

Thank you for creating a system that allows anyone in any situation to access these services. I've decided to change my perspective that I've held until now.

Not just in Shibuya, but it seems many municipal governments also offer phone reservations and pickup outside regular hours.

(I wondered if it was possible in all municipalities, so I did some research, but I couldn't find this information on the website of Ushiku City where my parents live, so it might not be possible there...?)

It may vary depending on the municipality you live in, so please check!

@atelierdefleurir

[Note] Only for Resident Certificates and Seal Registration Certificates!

Upon investigation, it seems this phone reservation and pickup system is available not only for resident certificates but also for seal registration certificates.

Just a note, you cannot obtain a "family register (戸籍謄本)" which is needed for marriage registration, so please be careful.

@jewel_flower_antique

Until now, I really struggled to go to city halls and always procrastinated.

But from now on, for resident certificates and seal registration certificates, I will likely be able to submit them smoothly when requested.