Personal Seal
Your Personal Seal
In Japan, the personal seal serves the same purpose as one’s signature. One’s name is engraved on the seal.
Normally a smaller version of the seal, the “mitome-in,” is used for day-to-day purposes, such as official documents, receiving important documents in the mail, and so on.
The “jitsuin,” or registered seal, is used for important contracts such as the purchase of a car.
Be sure you understand the content of any documents on which you affix your seal. There have been case where people placed their seals on documents they could not read, and were thus tricked into paying back loans taken out by other people.
Your Registered Seal (jitsuin) and Seal Registration Certificate
You can register your personal seal at the Resident Records Desk (Ward Residents Section) of the ward office. This is your “jitsuin,” or registered seal.
The registered seal should be large to help prevent fraud.
The Seal Registration Certificate is proof of the validity of your registered seal.
This document is sometimes required when you use your registered seal to sign important contracts.
Resident Records Desk
Ward Residents Section
Asao Ward Office 2F
Tel: 965-5122
Personal Seal Registration
The procedure of having your seal registered at the ward office is called “personal seal registration.”
Foreign nationals registered in Kawasaki City aged 15 and older can register their personal seal.
Bring the seal to be registered and your Alien Registration Certificate to the Resident Records Desk (Ward Residents Section) of the ward office.
Once your seal is registered, you will receive a Seal Registration Card. With this card and other required documents, you can obtain a Seal Registration Certificate.
There is a fee for the issue of a Seal Registration Certificate.
Resident Records Desk
Ward Residents Section
Asao Ward Office 2F
Tel: 965-5122