About resident registration and resident certificates（住民登録・住民票とは）

When you come to live in Japan, you need to register your residence status at a ward office. This process is called resident registration. All non-Japanese residents who are staying in Japan for the mid- to long-term (i.e. those with a resident card) are required to register at the Family Registry Division of the ward office of the ward in which they live.

When you go through the resident registration process, a resident certificate will be created listing your address, name, date of birth, residence information, and other details. You can use a copy of your resident certificate to prove where you or your family members live.