Collection: Seal Registration for Foreign Nationals

Who Can Register a Personal Seal (Hanko) in Japan

• You have a Residence Card(在留カード) or Special Permanent Resident Certificate(特別永住者証明書).

• Be listed in the register of residents (住民票) of the municipality where you are applying.

• You are 15 years of age or older.

Size Requirements for Seal Registration

• Must be larger than an 8mm square.

• Must fit within a 25mm square.

Seal names you can register (based on your residence certificate)

Examples of names or aliases as listed on your resident record:

• Name: "Johnson Smith"

• Nickname: "山田ジョンソン"

• Katakana spelling: "ジョンソン スミス"

You may register a seal using one of the following name types, as long as it matches your registered name or registered alias (通称) in your residence record:

• Full name: "Johnson Smith"

• Surname only: "Smith"

• First name only: "Johnson"

• Registered alias in Japanese: "山田 ジョンソン"

• Initial and first name combination: "S. Johnson"

* If you wish to register a seal using your alias (通称) in Katakana or Kanji, you must first register that alias in your residence certificate at your local government office.

Seal Name Formats That Cannot Be Registered:

• Combining partial surname and given name: "John Smith"

• Using characters not listed in your residence record: "住栖"

• Mixing your official name with alias: "Y.ジョンソン"

• Using only initials: "J.T.S." (for example, Johnson Thomas Smith)

Types of Seals Not Allowed for Registration

• Pre-inked seals like Shachihata, or rubber stamps

• Seals with reversed (white) engraving

• Seals with images or photographs

• Seals with blurred or unclear impressions

• Seals with missing or broken borders (over 1/3 missing)

• Seals with decorative dotted borders or patterns

About Aliases (通称) for Foreign Residents

• Foreign residents in Japan may register one alias (different from their legal name) on their residence certificate if needed for daily life.

• The alias must use characters approved for use in Japanese family registers.

• You cannot use simplified/traditional Chinese characters, alphabets, symbols, or uncommon kanji.

If you have a middle name

• You cannot register a seal that contains only your middle name.

• You also cannot register a seal using only the initials of your full name. (Example: A seal that reads "J.T.S." (for Johnson Thomas Smith) is not eligible for registration.)

If you wish to register your seal in katakana

• Foreigners with English names can register their seals in katakana by registering the katakana spelling in the remarks section of their resident registration card.

If you create your seal according to the conditions above, it can be used as a registered seal ("jitsuin") once it has been officially registered. Even without registration, most banks in Japan will accept it as a bank seal ("ginkō-in").

However, please note that visibility of the seal impression, character types (such as katakana or non-Japanese characters), and name formats may be subject to individual bank policies. For this reason, we recommend checking with your bank in advance to ensure it can be accepted.