【Questions answered!】 My number card after naturalization
If a foreign national applies for naturalization and is approved, he/she becomes a Japanese citizen. On the other hand, regardless of nationality, those who have a domicile and are registered as a resident in Japan are entitled to have a My Number card. So, what procedures are required for a My Number Card for a foreign national who has become a naturalized citizen?
What is a My Number Card?
My number cards have been issued since January 2016 (Heisei 28) at the request of the individual, and are used to certify the individual’s personal number (my number) and for identification purposes.
On the front of the card, there are the following information: name, address, date of birth, gender, photo, field for electronic certificate expiration date, security code, signature panel area (where new information is written if the information is to be corrected), and indication of willingness to donate organs. The back of the card will also contain a personal number.
All registered residents in Japan are given a personal number. Therefore, foreign nationals also have a personal number, and if they apply for a My Number card, they will be issued one.
What are the procedures after naturalization?
A foreign national residing in Japan applies for naturalization, and if the application is approved, the foreign national acquires Japanese citizenship. Since dual citizenship is not allowed in Japan, the foreign nationality is lost and the applicant becomes a Japanese citizen only.
Once naturalization is granted, the applicant’s name and address will be published in the official gazette (notification of naturalization). One or two weeks after the notification, a “notice” will be sent to the applicant. The applicant will then go to the Legal Affairs Bureau with the notice and receive a “naturalized citizen identification card.
By naturalization, the person acquires Japanese nationality, and a new family register will be created for the person. In this case, within one month from the date of notification, you must go to the municipal office of the address where you live or your permanent domicile, which you specified when applying for naturalization, and submit the “naturalizer’s identification card” and “notification of naturalization” at the counter.
A new family register will be created within a week or two. Please note that you may be fined if you fail to submit this notification.
What changes before and after naturalization?
By acquiring Japanese citizenship through naturalization, you will take on a new name as a Japanese national. Therefore, the procedure for the My Number Card must also be completed at the municipal office of the city, ward, town or village where you have your certificate of residence. You must submit the notification of naturalization, notification of acquisition of Japanese nationality, and the my number card to the counter to change your name.
In addition, those who do not have a my number card until then should take this opportunity to apply for one and have it issued.
Conclusion
When a foreign national acquires Japanese citizenship, his/her name will change to a Japanese name, and he/she will need to change his/her my number card. In addition, those who do not have a My Number card at the time of naturalization should take this opportunity to create one, as it will be needed in various situations in the future.
