What is a request for disclosure of alien registration card?

November 4, 2025

Request for disclosure of Alien Registration Card｜For those who need "old residence records" for naturalization or identity verification

I used to be registered as an alien in Japan, but I have no card or record of my status of residence. However, I would like to prove my past residence history for naturalization, permanent residence, inheritance, and marriage procedures" - such consultations are common in our practice.
In this article, we will explain as concretely as possible from the standpoint of an administrative scrivener how a person, family member, or representative can request the Ministry of Justice to disclose and obtain an alien registration card based on the former "Alien Registration Law".

A copy of the alien registration card may be the only document that can prove "past status of residence," "date of first arrival in Japan," "status matters in home country," etc., which cannot be confirmed with the current resident card or residence card. They are especially important documents when applying for naturalization or confirming inheritance or nationality after death. This article will help you sort out who should submit what, when, and where.

TOC

Key points of this article

The Alien Registration Certificate is a registration record that was maintained by the municipality based on the former Alien Registration Law, and is now kept by the Ministry of Justice.
To make a request, you will need to provide "materials proving relationship" such as identification documents and, in the case of a deceased person, a copy of his/her family register or removal record. If the materials are insufficient, the Ministry of Justice may request an amendment (submission of additional materials).
The disclosure of original documents is useful for applications for naturalization, permanent residence permit, proof of status of residence, marriage procedures, confirmation of inheritance, etc. In some cases, however, records may not remain due to expiration of retention period or other reasons, so it is safe to request them as soon as possible.

The alien registration card is

First, there is a common misconception that "if I get a resident card, won't it show all my old residency status and registration details?" This is a common misconception. The information on the current resident card and resident card number is basically limited to "currently valid information" such as current name, nationality, status of residence, and period of stay.
On the other hand, past history such as "the date you first came to Japan," "which status of residence you were in at the time," "marriage, divorce, or registered name in your country of origin" may be important in applications for naturalization, confirmation of nationality, marriage, old-age pension, and inheritance procedures.
This past information is not usually retained in the current certificate of residence or other documents. This is where the use of "alien registration cardThe "Alien Registration Certificate" is a "copy of the Alien Registration Certificate (a copy of the Alien Registration Act). The Alien Registration Certificate (a ledger based on the former Alien Registration Law) used to be managed by each municipality, but after the abolition of the system, it was transferred to the Ministry of Justice, and the person himself/herself or certain related persons can request to view and receive a copy in the form of a request for disclosure.
Another misconception is that the old registration information can no longer be obtained because of the current residence card system. Although the original documents do not remain forever, they are kept for a certain period of time, and there are cases where they can be obtained even at this point in time. In other words, you should not assume that the information is no longer available, but rather, you should consider requesting the information first.

Laws, Regulations, and Review Perspectives

The Alien Registration Certificate is a record of status, place of residence, status of residence, etc., that a foreign resident notified to the municipality in accordance with the former Alien Registration Law. Registration Act) was abolished. As a result, the registration card system is now centrally managed by the national government (Ministry of Justice) rather than by the municipalities.

From the viewpoint of personal information protection, this "disclosure of original records" is in principle limited to requests by the person himself/herself or by persons whom the MOJ deems to have a "legitimate interest" (e.g., heirs, spouses, legal representatives, etc.). The examination will check (1) the identity and relationship between the requestor and the registered individual, (2) the legitimacy of the purpose of use, and (3) the existing status of the record.

In other words, it is necessary to specify the specific purpose of the application, such as "to prepare for naturalization application" or "to confirm the nationality of my deceased father," rather than simply "please show me because I want to know.

Scope of Impact

There are two major situations in which a request for disclosure of an alien registration card is typically problematic. One is,Cases in which the individual wishes to check his/her past residency history(e.g., application for naturalization, permanent residence permit, proof of past residence for change of status of residence, etc.). The other is,Cases in which the surviving family members wish to confirm information about a person who has already died, in relation to inheritance or nationality.It is.

Especially in the latter case, "which name you used in Japan" and "how your marital history is recorded" may be important in the division of inheritance and proof of nationality and status. If disclosure is approved, it may facilitate inheritance and the organization of immigration and residence records because the background can be explained in connection with family registers and removal registers at the municipal office.

On the other hand, disclosure is difficult when the relationship between the requester and the subject is weak (e.g., old colleagues) or when the purpose is ambiguous. In addition, the records may have already been destroyed after the retention period. Therefore, it is especially important to document a clear purpose, such as inheritance, nationality, or family register research, and to prepare proof documents together, if you want to "obtain information on a deceased parent.

solution

basic policy

Requests for disclosure of an alien registration card can be facilitated if you first organize what you need the card for, whose records you need, and whether you are in a position to make the request. In practical terms, the following arrangement is made.

(1) Naturalization, permanent residence, etc. → Request in the person's name (attach identification documents).

(2) Procedures concerning the deceased, such as inheritance and family register clearance → Request as an interested party, such as an heir or spouse (attach a copy of the family register or removal register showing the fact of death and the relationship of kinship).

(3) The person himself/herself is too old or ill to move → Request with a power of attorney showing legitimate authority to represent the person + identification on the part of the proxy.
The key point is to "have enough supporting documents in place from the beginning to allow the Ministry of Justice to determine that you have a 'legitimate interest' in the project. If this is not properly prepared, you will be asked to submit additional documents, resulting in more time and effort.

Practical Steps

Procedure 1: Confirm requirements → Collect evidence → Check consistency
First, write down as much information as possible that will help in identifying the subject alien registration card (the applicant, relatives, etc.), such as name (including kanji/romaji/past name), date of birth, status of residence at the time, and period of stay. If there are multiple variations of the name (maiden name, common name, katakana notation, etc.), all should be written down.
At the same time, clearly state the purpose of the request (e.g., preparation for naturalization, inheritance procedures, etc.) and prepare identification documents, family register, removal from family register, and documents showing marital status.
Step 2: Document preparation → Application → Correction response → Notification of results
Prepare a disclosure request form addressed to the Ministry of Justice and submit it with copies of the required documents (in principle, valid ID card, family register, etc.). In most cases, the submission method is by mail. The Ministry of Justice will examine the application, and if necessary, may make an inquiry (request for correction) such as "Please add materials showing this kinship" or "Please explain the purpose of use more concretely. It is important to have enough relevant materials available from the beginning so that you can respond appropriately here. As a result, you will be notified of the delivery of a copy or non-disclosure (in whole or in part).
Step 3: Preparation of Assumed Questions and Supplemental Opinion
Why is this information needed by you?" if the answer is ambiguous, disclosure may not be allowed. For example, rather than the expression "I need to know what kind of name my father used in Japan," it is better to say, "To confirm the name, status of residence, and period of stay my father used in Japan, and to include this information in the inheritance relation chart. As an heir, I need to prepare an inheritance division agreement", it is practically effective to write specifically the purpose and the occasion of use. If necessary, the administrative scrivener may attach a supplementary opinion (statement of purpose).

Common Pitfalls

Typical stumbling blocks include
・If the applicant was registered under his/her maiden name or common name, but only his/her current passport name is written, the inquiry is prolonged due to the lack of identification.
The company claims that they are relatives, but there are no documents attached such as family register, removal from family register, birth certificate, etc. to show the relationship. As a result, the legitimacy of the interest cannot be confirmed.
∙ The purpose of use is only "I just want to know for now. → If the purpose of use is ambiguous, it may result in nondisclosure from the standpoint of personal information protection.
The retention status of the registration original is overstated. If they have already been discarded (e.g., retention period has passed), the answer will be "no record," no matter how many correct procedures are followed to request them. Since this point is unavoidable, it is important to move as soon as it becomes necessary.
In short, "Am I in a position to make a claim?" What are the documents used for? "Do I have enough material to identify the person?" The shortest route is to clarify these three points before submitting the documents.

necessary documents

Here, we will organize them assuming three typical patterns (request by the applicant/request by a relative/request by a proxy). In all cases, the request must be submitted to the Ministry of Justice (competent department), and the request must be made by mail. Although a photocopy will suffice when submitting the request, be sure not to use an old copy, as "the latest" or "proof of all items" may be required for family registers, removal registers, and the like.

documents	Objective.	Sourced/Created by	important point
Disclosure Request Form	Specify whose records are being requested and for what purpose	Self-made for submission to the Ministry of Justice (example form available)	Write down specific information such as name alias, maiden name, date of birth, etc. in detail.
Identification documents	Verification that the claimant is the person/legitimate party	Residence card, special permanent resident certificate, passport, etc.	Must be within the validity period or have a photo and date of birth verified.
A copy of family register, a copy of removal from family register, etc.	Proof of being a survivor or other family member obtaining information about the deceased	City/town of legal domicile	Submit one that shows continuity. If the old family register alone does not connect, multiple types are required.

documents	Objective.	Sourced/Created by	important point
power of attorney	Proof of authority for an agent (e.g., administrative scrivener) to perform the procedure	Prepared and signed by the principal (or heirs or other interested parties)	Lack of signature, seal and date may be treated as invalid.
Statement of Purpose of Use	Specific description of what the information will be used for	Optional forms are acceptable (often prepared by administrative scriveners)	Specifics such as "Attachments to an application for naturalization," "Basis for inheritance diagram," etc.
Return envelope and stamp	For return of result notification and copy issuance	Prepared by the claimant	Clearly marked with name and address. Incomplete forms will not be returned.

Follow the instructions to determine whether the original or a photocopy is required. Generally, a photocopy is acceptable, but in some cases, the original or a notarized translation may be required.
If the name on the residence card or passport differs from the name registered in the past (maiden name or common name), enclose documents showing the connection (proof of use of common name, marriage certificate, etc.) to facilitate identification.
Omission of date, seal, and signature is the most common omission. Surprisingly many power of attorney forms are sent with blank dates, causing them to be returned.

Supplemental information and notes

A request for disclosure concerning a deceased person may be denied from the standpoint of personal information protection if you cannot reasonably explain "why it is necessary to confirm inheritance or nationality". For example, "I simply want to know my father's past residence history" may be a weak reason. It tends to be easier to pass a judgment if you specify a legal or administrative necessity, such as "I need to accurately describe my father's residence status in the inheritance division agreement in order to divide his property," or "I need to prove my father's residence status and name in Japan in relation to the acquisition of nationality (confirmation of reservation or loss of nationality).
In addition, the Ministry of Justice may carefully check whether the person is really deceased and whether you are the heir, so be prepared to make sure that the connection between the family register, removal record, and birth certificate is a single line. If any of the connections are broken, you will need to make an additional request (e.g., to obtain a family register from a different municipality).

Procedures

Basically, the process for requesting disclosure of an alien registration card is "request by mail → examination by the Ministry of Justice → sending of results. Online applications are often not anticipated, and even if you go directly to the counter, you cannot usually expect to be treated as receiving the certificate on the same day. Therefore, it should be considered a preparatory procedure in which you prepare the necessary documents in advance and submit them together in an envelope.

Confirmation of requirements → Preparation of documents → Application → Examination → Result

stage	(in) charge (of an area of responsibility, but not necessarily supervision of staff)	Approximate period of time	checkpoint
Confirmation of requirements	Applicant/Gyoseishoshi Scrivener	1-3 days	Is the subject's identifying information (name, date of birth, etc.) sufficient / Is the purpose of the request clear?
document preparation	Applicant/employer/relative	3-14 days	Are all relevant documents such as family registers, removal registers, powers of attorney, etc. in order/within the validity period?
Application and Review	Applicant/Ministry of Justice	A few weeks to	Clear contact information so that additional inquiries can be answered immediately.

Example of claim

Case 1: Cases in which you filed your own claim for naturalization

backgroundA person who had worked in Japan for many years was planning to acquire Japanese citizenship (application for naturalization). However, he had no history of his old passport or status of residence at hand.
supportThe disclosure of the alien registration card was requested in his name, and his name (including the old spelling), date of birth, former status of residence, and the first date of his arrival in Japan were identified. We also prepared a copy of the current residence card and resident card to clarify the identity of the applicant.
result: The Ministry of Justice provided us with a copy of the original certificate, which allowed us to confirm the history of past residency status and residency history. This enabled us to accurately include the "List of Entry, Departure, and Residency History" in the naturalization application documents and reduced the burden of additional explanations.

If you try to fill in past information with "memories," you will often have to make corrections later, but if you use the original records as a base, you can submit documents that are consistent from the beginning.

Case (2): A case in which the deceased parent's information was used for inheritance but the purpose was ambiguous.

background: The applicant requested disclosure of his alien registration card, saying that he wanted to know what kind of status of residence his deceased father had lived in Japan. However, he did not enclose any specific documents related to his inheritance.
question (e.g. on a test): From the Ministry of Justice's point of view, it is not possible to discern whether it is "pure interest" or "necessary for legal proceedings". In addition, there was a lack of family registry and birth certificate documentation to support the relationship between the applicant and his deceased father.
affect: If the purpose is ambiguous and the interest cannot be verified, disclosure may not be permitted or may be delivered in a significantly blacked-out form for reasons of privacy protection.

You should have clearly stated that you were preparing an inheritance, explained that you needed to identify the father's official name and residency status in order to prepare an estate plan, and enclosed documents showing parent-child relationship in the family register, removal from the register, and birth certificate.

Case (3): A case in which a child files a claim on behalf of an elderly person

situationFor example, an elderly person who does not speak Japanese well may wish to check his/her old registration information in order to apply for a permanent residence permit or to change his/her Special Permanent Resident Certificate.
support: The request must be accompanied by a power of attorney signed by the individual, a copy of the identification document, and identification of the proxy (e.g., child). If necessary, briefly describe the need for the proxy (e.g., for health reasons).
point: It is important that the power of attorney is clearly dated, signed, and clearly states the purpose and subject of the power of attorney. Simply stating "I want to take it on behalf of" is weak. It is easier to make a decision if you include specifics such as "to be used for submitting materials for a permanent residence permit.

If the power of attorney is in order, it is not necessarily necessary for the person to go directly to the government office or the Ministry of Justice. This is especially useful in cases where a person is too old or infirm to go out.

FAQ

Q1: What is an "Alien Registration Card"? How is it different from the current resident card?

The Alien Registration Certificate is a kind of basic ledger that was created and maintained for each foreign resident by the municipality based on the former "Alien Registration Law". It records the name, date of birth, nationality/region, status of residence, period of stay, and address history. After the current residence card system (based on the Immigration Control Act) and the basic resident register system were introduced, the management entity was transferred to the Ministry of Justice, and the person in question or a legitimate interested party can obtain a copy through a procedure called "disclosure request. This is used as a supplemental document in cases where the past history cannot be determined from the current resident card or residence card alone.

Q2: Can anyone claim? Can I take my friend's share?

No. The information must be provided by the person who is the subject of the request. Because it contains personal information, in principle, it is limited to "the person in question" or "a person who is recognized as having a legitimate interest by the Ministry of Justice". Interests include cases such as: conducting estate division agreements as an heir, proving one's status as a spouse, or proceeding as a legal representative. Disclosure for mere interest or third-party research purposes is not likely to be approved.

Q3: What information can I get? Will all the information be made public as it is?

Basically, it includes the name at the time of registration (in some cases, records of aliases or maiden names are included), date of birth, nationality and region, status of residence and period of stay, and address history. However, from the standpoint of protecting personal information, information about third parties not directly related to the claimant or highly private information may be blacked out (masked). In addition, if the record itself does not remain due to the expiration of the retention period or other reasons, the response may be "No applicable record.

Q4. what is the biggest stumbling block in the documents to be prepared?

The most common reason is "lack of documents showing relationship". For example, if you want to obtain the original records of a deceased parent, and you do not have the family register, removal record, birth certificate, etc. connecting the claimant and the parent, the Ministry of Justice will ask, "Are you really an heir? Do you really need to see these records?" The Ministry of Justice will not be able to determine the It is important to submit multiple family registers, removal registers, birth certificates with translations, etc. together in advance so that the parent-child relationship, spousal relationship, and inheritance relationship are all on a single line.

Q5. when should I file a claim? Can I do it later?

In principle, "request it as soon as you think you need it. This is because alien registration slips are not necessarily kept forever and may be discarded after a certain period of time. In particular, the risk of not being able to obtain the information of those who resided in Japan decades ago or those who have already passed away increases as time passes. If you plan to use the information for official procedures in the future, such as application for naturalization, permanent residence permit, or inheritance procedures, it is recommended that you at least check the existence of the original certificate first.

Reference Laws and Sources

summary

The Alien Registration Certificate is an extremely important record that enables confirmation of "past residence history," "name used in Japan," and "status of first arrival in Japan," which cannot be found on the current resident card or residence card. Early acquisition of the certificate will lead to avoidance of problems later on, not only for the individual who is preparing for naturalization, permanent residence, or change of status of residence, but also for family members who are confirming the inheritance or status of deceased relatives.
The procedure itself proceeds mainly by mail, but preparation of materials that clearly demonstrate the relationship and purpose is key. You can consult even at the stage of "Can I get it? If you are not sure, please share your situation with a specialist.

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Inquiry / Access

Horiuchi Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Office (Shinjuku Office, Tokyo)）
Representative: Yukiko Horiuchi, Administrative Scrivener

Member of Shinjuku Branch, Tokyo Gyoseishoshi Lawyers Association
Tokyo Immigration and Residency Management Bureau, Application Agency Gyoseishoshi Scrivener
Member of Foreign Employment Support Organization (FESO)

Access: 5 min. walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station / 8 min. walk from Shin-Okubo Station / 12 min. walk from Okubo Station

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*This article is for general informational purposes only, and final decisions should be made by professionals in accordance with the latest laws and regulations.