Seal Registration

In Japan, a personal seal (hanko) is used in lieu of a signature for documents.

A personal seal (hanko) that is used for important documents should be registered at the municipal office where you live.

This is called “inkan toroku (seal registration),” and the registered seal at the municipal office is called a “jitsuin (registered seal).”

Those who are age of 15 or older and who are registered as residents can register their personal seals.

Only one personal seal per person can be registered.

You will receive a card called a “Inkan Torokusho (seal registration card)” upon completion of the procedure.

A certificate of seal registration is a document that certifies a registered seal is genuine.

You will need a certificate of seal registration when using a registered seal for important contracts, such as buying a car or a house,

You can obtain a certificate of seal registration at the local municipal office with your seal registration card.

In this case, you do not need to bring your “jitsuin (registered seal).”

You will be charged for a certificate of seal registration.

If you have a My Number card, you can get a certificate of seal registration at a convenience store.