Moving house? Don’t forget mail redirection: Change of address notice

One thing you shouldn’t overlook when you move house within Japan is a mail redirection. Just fill up a simple form, then all mails addressed to your old place will be transferred to a new address. Mails will be redirected for one year from the application date, and it costs you nothing. The period of mail redirection can be extended by submitting another application. There are two ways to apply for a mail redirection: by submitting a change of address form at post office or internet. Out of these two options, this column will explain how to fill up a change of address notice.

Mail redirection service by Japan Post

Once you move to a new address, you can notify Japan Post of your new address by submitting a change of address notice which can be found at any post office within Japan. Then, mails addressed to your old address will be redirected to a new address for one year. With mail redirection service, you can receive letters or parcels directed to your old address from someone who doesn’t know that you have moved. However, mails indicated as not-to-redirect will be returned to sender without being forwarded to your new address. For example, letters from financial institutions enclosing bank cards or credit cards are often indicated as not-to-redirect. To apply for a mail redirection service by online tool e-Tenkyo, you need an email address and mobile number. Also, this is domestic only service therefore mails will not be forwarded to an overseas address.

What to bring

To submit a change of address notice at post office, you need to bring the filled form, your photo ID such as driver license, National Health Insurance card, passport or Certificate of Alien Registration. If you apply for a household or individual, inkan is not required. Note that, if you arrange a redirection for a business or organization, you need to prove the relationship to the entity by presenting an employee ID card, insurance card or other IDs. An application form can be sent by post (no stamp needed). In this case, a Japan Post staff may visit your address or send a confirmation letter to an old address to make sure that the application is genuine.

Filling a change of address notice

This section is a step by step instruction to fill up a change of address notice. Use a black pen and write clearly to fill the form as it will be processed by machine. Do not use a pencil or mechanical pencil. Use alphabets if you are not confident with writing Japanese characters.

①Date of filling

The date you submit a change of address notice at post office.

②Date for start of delivery at new address

You can choose a date to start redirecting mails. Allow 3-7 business days between the date of filling and the start date. Note that the period of redirection is counted from the date of filling instead of the date for start of redirection.

③Old address

Write your old address here. Room number and building name need to be written separately under the block name and number.

④Names of persons concerned

Write names of persons who move to a new address. If you have changed your family name for any reason, write your previous name in the “old name” box on the right.

⑤If anyone will continue to live at the old address, number of persons

If there is anyone who will keep living at the old address, black out “yes” and indicate the number of people in the box on the right. Then, mails for people who are moving will be redirected to the new address. If no one will stay at the old address, black out “no”.

⑥Name of company

When you arrange a redirection for a business or organization, write the name of entity in left half of the box. If the entity has changed the name, write the previously known name in right half of the box.

⑦New address

Write your new address here. Provide your phone number, (either a landline or mobile) in case Japan Post contact you to confirm the details.

⑧Person filling this notice, Relationships to persons above

Fill in the name of person submitting the form and black out an appropriate relationship in the below box. If the application is for a business or organization, provide the name of CEO as the person filling the form and affix inkan.

⑨Subscription

If you leave this section blank, you may receive a reminder letter to change address from organizations such as governmental agencies or financial institutions. Black out the oval here if you don’t need letters from such organizations.

One more preparation to make your new life easier

Connecting and disconnecting electricity, gas, water, or notifying municipal offices a change of address, moving house requires so much hustle-bustles all at once. As for a mail redirection, you don’t need to rush as you can choose the date to start redirection that best suit you, and apply for a redirection as soon as you have decided when to move. Make sure you arrange a redirection when you move to avoid wasting your time to track missing mails.