掛川多言語生活情報ガイド

 In Japan, when you make important contracts, "jitsuin" or a personal seal registration certificate is often needed. "Jitsuin" is an officially registered seal at the municipal office in the ward (or city, town or village) where you reside. "inkan toroku shomeisho" is a personal seal registration certificate to prove that the seal is registered at your local municipal office. It is issued at the local municipal office. Unregistered seal is called "mitomein" and is used in the ordinary transactions of daily life. Please keep your seals in a safe place to prevent theft and being lost.

Application for Seal Registration

Anyone who is above 15 years old and registered for the alien registration can apply for the seal registration. You need your alien registration card and your seal that you want to register. The seal registration by foreigners is accepted at "shimin-ka" at the City Hall, "shimin madoguchi kakari" at Daito branch office and at Osuga brach office. Only one seal per person may be registered.

<Acceptable seal>

 Seal has to be ordered to be made. You need to use your name (in alphabet, kanji, katakana, or hiragana) that is recorded in your alien registration book.

< Unacceptable seal >

1. Seal obtaining a name that is not written in your alien registration book.
2. Seal obtaining small letters even if the name is written in your alien registration book.
3. Seal that is made out of plastic or rubber and easy to deform.
4. Seal obtaining extra information like occupation, license, and etc. besides your name.
5. Seal that has less diameter of 8 mm or larger diameter of 25 mm.

Registration of commonly used name

It is possible to register your seal by using your commonly used name rather than the one written in your alien registration book. You need to submit some documents (your name tag that includes the name of company, salary statement, or others) that prove the name is commonly used in Japan.
It is better to have two sections in your name just as Japanese names: family name and first name.

Seal Registration by proxy

Seal registration by proxy requires to submit different document (proxy assignment report). It takes about one week to complete the registration as it requires a process of referral of the applicant. Please inquire for this matter at the desk.

Issue of the seal registration

Once the application process is completed, a personal seal registration card, "Inkan toroku sho" that proves the registration of the seal will be issued to you. When you bring this "Inkan toroku sho" to the desk, a personal seal registration certificate will be issued. The fee is 300 yen. (as of January, 2009)