How to Get a My Number Card in Japan — Application, Pickup & What It Unlocks

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My Number vs. My Number Card — They’re Different Things

Here’s where most people get confused. There are two separate concepts:

My Number (マイナンバー) — A 12-digit number assigned to every resident of Japan, including foreign residents. You receive it automatically when you register your address at the ward office. This number stays with you for life (as long as you’re a resident). It’s used for taxes, social insurance, and banking.

My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) — A physical IC card with your photo, name, address, date of birth, and an embedded chip. It’s optional but increasingly essential. The card lets you do things the number alone can’t: print certificates at convenience stores, file taxes electronically, and — as of December 2025 — serve as your health insurance card.

The bottom line: Everyone gets the number. The card is what you need to apply for. And in 2026, not having the card makes life significantly harder.

Why You Should Get It Now

Until 2024, the My Number Card was a “nice to have.” That changed. As of December 2, 2025, Japan abolished traditional health insurance cards. Your My Number Card is now the primary way to verify health insurance at hospitals and pharmacies. Without it, you need a separate paper “eligibility certificate” (資格確認書) — which is clunky and easy to lose.

About 87.3 million people had registered their My Number Cards for health insurance use as of October 2025 — nearly 87% of cardholders — but the actual usage rate at hospitals was only about 37% (NHK World). The system is still new, and hospitals are adjusting.

Other reasons to get it:

• Convenience store certificates — Print 住民票, 印鑑証明, tax certificates at 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart. Available 6:30 AM–11:00 PM, including weekends. Costs ¥200–¥300 per copy (cheaper than the ward office in many wards).
• e-Tax — File your tax return online without going to the tax office. Required for foreign residents who need to file 確定申告 (kakutei shinkoku).
• マイナポータル (MynaPortal) — Check your pension records, insurance status, and administrative info from your phone.
• Government ID — Valid photo ID for banking, mobile phone contracts, and apartment applications.

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How to Apply: 3 Methods

Method 1: Online (Recommended — 5 Minutes)

This is the fastest way. You’ll need:

• Your 個人番号通知書 (My Number notification document) or your 12-digit My Number
• A smartphone with a camera
• A passport-style photo (4.5×3.5 cm, white background, taken within 6 months)

Steps:

1. Go to mynumbercard.go.jp or scan the QR code on your notification document
2. Enter your 申請書ID (application ID) from the notification — it’s a 23-digit number
3. Upload your photo — face centered, no glasses preferred, white background
4. Enter your email address
5. Confirm — done. Takes about 5 minutes.

Pitfall: Your photo will be rejected if you’re wearing a hat, the background isn’t plain white/light, or the image is blurry. Use your smartphone’s front camera in a well-lit room against a white wall.

Method 2: By Mail

A paper application form is included with your My Number notification document. Fill it out, attach a 4.5×3.5 cm photo, and mail it in the prepaid envelope.

Who should use this: People who lost their notification document QR code (you can request a new form at the ward office).

Method 3: At the Ward Office or Photo Booth

Some ward offices have application terminals. Some registered photo booths (証明写真機) at train stations — like Ki-Re-i machines — also support My Number Card applications. They take your photo and submit the application electronically.

Who should use this: People uncomfortable with online applications or who need help with the process.

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What Happens After You Apply

Processing takes 1–2 months. Some wards in Tokyo (like Shibuya and Shinjuku) process faster; rural areas may take longer. During busy periods (January–March, tax season), expect up to 3 months.

When your card is ready, you’ll receive a 交付通知書 (kōfu tsūchisho / pickup notification letter) by mail. This is a postcard telling you to come to the ward office.

Don’t ignore this letter. If you don’t pick up your card within ~3 months of the notification, the card may be destroyed and you’ll need to reapply.

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Picking Up Your Card at the Ward Office

What to Bring

Item	Japanese Name	Notes
Pickup notification letter	交付通知書	The postcard you received
Residence card	在留カード	Current, valid
Passport	パスポート	The one you used for your visa
My Number notification	個人番号通知書	If you still have it

At the Counter

Staff: 「マイナンバーカードの受け取りですか?」 (Mainanbā kādo no uketori desu ka? / “Picking up your My Number Card?”) You: 「はい」 (Hai / “Yes”)

Hand over your documents. The staff will verify your identity and then ask you to set two PINs:

1. 4-digit PIN (利用者証明用) — Used for login at convenience store terminals, MynaPortal, health insurance verification. You’ll use this one frequently.
2. 6–16 character password (署名用) — Used for digital signatures (e-Tax, online government procedures). Must include uppercase letters and numbers.

Critical: Write these PINs down and store them somewhere safe. If you forget the 4-digit PIN, you need to go back to the ward office in person to reset it. Three wrong attempts locks the card.

The whole process takes 15–30 minutes. You walk out with your card.

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The Health Insurance Card Transition: What Changed in December 2025

This is the biggest reason to get a My Number Card now.

Before December 2025: You had a separate health insurance card (健康保険証) issued by your employer or National Health Insurance. You showed it at hospitals and pharmacies.

After December 2, 2025: Traditional health insurance cards are abolished. The My Number Card with health insurance registration is now the standard. About 78 million employer-based insurance cards expired on December 1, 2025 (Mainichi).

What you need to do:

1. Get a My Number Card (this article)
2. Register it for health insurance use — do this at:
   • Any hospital or pharmacy with a face-recognition card reader (顔認証付きカードリーダー)
   • MynaPortal app on your smartphone
   • Seven Bank ATMs

If you don’t have a My Number Card: Your health insurer will issue a 資格確認書 (shikaku kakuninsho / eligibility certificate) — a paper document valid for up to 5 years. It works, but it’s less convenient.

Grace period: Until March 31, 2026, hospitals will still accept expired old-style insurance cards as long as they can verify your coverage via the online eligibility system. After that, you need either a registered My Number Card or a 資格確認書. No exceptions.

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What You Can Do With Your My Number Card

Print Certificates at Convenience Stores (コンビニ交付)

Walk into any 7-Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart. Go to the multi-copy machine (マルチコピー機).

1. Select 「行政サービス」 (Gyōsei sābisu / “Government services”)
2. Place your My Number Card on the reader
3. Enter your 4-digit PIN
4. Select the certificate you need
5. Pay (¥200–¥300 per copy, cash or IC card)
6. Collect your printed certificate

Available certificates:

• 住民票の写し (residence certificate) — ¥300
• 印鑑登録証明書 (registered seal certificate) — ¥300
• 課税証明書 (tax certificate) — varies by ward
• 戸籍謄本 (family register, if your municipality supports it)

Hours: 6:30 AM–11:00 PM, including weekends and holidays. No waiting in line at the ward office.

File Taxes with e-Tax

Connect your My Number Card to your smartphone via NFC, log in to e-Tax, and file your 確定申告 (kakutei shinkoku / tax return) from home. No more standing in line at the tax office in February.

See our tax filing guide for the full process.

Access MynaPortal (マイナポータル)

Download the MynaPortal app → scan your My Number Card → enter your PIN → access:

• Health insurance records and prescription history
• Pension contribution history
• Tax records
• Government notifications
• Online applications for administrative procedures

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Pitfalls: Don’t Make These Mistakes

Don’t Share Your 12-Digit Number Carelessly

Your My Number is sensitive personal information. You need it for: tax filing, bank accounts, employment paperwork, and social insurance. You do not need to share it with: your landlord, random businesses, or anyone who “just wants to see it.”

Rule: Only share your My Number when a law or regulation requires it. If someone asks and you’re not sure why, ask them to explain the legal basis.

Don’t Forget Your PINs

Three wrong PIN attempts = locked card. Resetting requires an in-person visit to the ward office with your residence card. This is a 30-minute detour you don’t want.

Tip: Store your PINs in a password manager app (1Password, Bitwarden, etc.). Not on a Post-it note stuck to your card.

Don’t Let Your Digital Certificates Expire

The card is valid for 10 years (or 5 years for non-permanent residents, aligned with your visa period). But the digital certificates embedded in the card expire every 5 years. When they expire, you can’t use the card for convenience store printing or e-Tax until you renew at the ward office.

You’ll receive a notification letter ~2 months before expiry. Don’t ignore it. Renewal is free and takes about 15 minutes.

Don’t Carry the Card Everywhere

Unlike your residence card (在留カード, which you must carry at all times by law), there’s no legal obligation to carry your My Number Card daily. Keep it safe at home and bring it only when needed — hospitals, ward office visits, convenience store certificate printing. Losing it means calling the hotline (0120-95-0178) and reapplying at the ward office.

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If Something Goes Wrong

Problem	Cause	Solution
Card reader doesn't recognize card at convenience store	Digital certificate expired or コンビニ交付 not activated	Go to ward office to renew certificates. Bring residence card.
PIN locked (3 wrong attempts)	Forgot your 4-digit PIN	Visit ward office in person with residence card. Staff will reset it. ~15 min.
Hospital says "your card isn't registered for insurance"	Health insurance use not activated	Register at the hospital's card reader, MynaPortal app, or Seven Bank ATM.
Lost or stolen card	—	Call 0120-95-0178 (24/7) to suspend immediately. Then visit ward office to reapply.
Card arrived but name/address is wrong	Clerical error during application	Do NOT accept the card. Tell the ward office staff immediately. They'll reissue.

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FAQ

Q: How long does it take to get the card?

A: 1–2 months from application to pickup notification. In busy periods (January–March), it can take up to 3 months. Apply early.

Q: I lost my notification document. Can I still apply?

A: Yes. Go to your ward office and request a new application form. Or, if you know your My Number, apply online at mynumbercard.go.jp using the “申請書IDがない方” (no application ID) option.

Q: I’m leaving Japan soon. Should I still get it?

A: If you’re staying more than 3 months, yes — the health insurance card function alone makes it worth it. Since May 2024, you can keep your My Number Card even after moving abroad (国外転出), which is useful if you return to Japan later.

Q: Can I use it as my residence card?

A: No. Your 在留カード (residence card) and My Number Card are separate documents. You must carry your residence card at all times by law. The My Number Card does not replace it.

Q: What if my visa gets extended? Do I need a new card?

A: No new card needed. Visit your ward office to update the expiration date on your My Number Card’s digital certificates. Bring your renewed residence card. Free of charge, takes ~15 minutes.

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Related Guides

• How to Register at City Hall — where you get your My Number assigned
• How to File Taxes in Japan — e-Tax requires a My Number Card
• Health Insurance in Japan — the My Number Card is now your insurance card
• How to Open a Bank Account — banks require your My Number

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Summary

1. Get the card, not just the number. Since December 2025, the My Number Card is your health insurance card. Without it, you need a separate paper certificate.
2. Apply online at mynumbercard.go.jp. Takes 5 minutes. Card arrives in 1–2 months. Pick up at your ward office.
3. Remember your PINs. 4-digit for daily use, 6–16 characters for digital signatures. Three wrong attempts = locked.

Next step: Go to mynumbercard.go.jp right now and apply. It’s free and takes 5 minutes.

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References and Official Sources

1. Digital Agency (デジタル庁)
   “My Number Card Portal Site”
   https://www.kojinbango-card.go.jp/
   Accessed February 2026. Official My Number Card application portal with online application instructions, pickup procedures, and usage information. Provides the application URL mynumbercard.go.jp referenced in this article.

2. Digital Agency
   ”MynaPortal - Official Government Services Portal”
   https://myna.go.jp/
   Accessed February 2026. Official portal for accessing government services using My Number Card authentication, including health insurance records, pension information, and administrative procedures.

3. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
   ”My Number Card as Health Insurance Card” (マイナンバーカードの健康保険証利用)
   https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_08277.html
   Accessed February 2026. Official information on the December 2, 2025 transition abolishing traditional health insurance cards (健康保険証) and establishing My Number Card as the primary health insurance verification method.

4. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
   ”Eligibility Certificates for Those Without My Number Cards” (資格確認書)
   https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_08277.html
   Accessed February 2026. Information on the paper eligibility certificate (資格確認書) issued to those without My Number Cards as a temporary substitute for health insurance verification, valid for up to 5 years.

5. National Tax Agency (国税庁)
   “e-Tax: Electronic Tax Filing System”
   https://www.e-tax.nta.go.jp/
   Accessed February 2026. Official electronic tax filing system that requires My Number Card authentication for filing 確定申告 (final tax returns) online.

6. NHK World Japan
   ”87.3 Million Register My Number Cards for Health Insurance Use” (October 2025)
   Accessed February 2026. Reported that approximately 87.3 million people had registered My Number Cards for health insurance use as of October 2025 (nearly 87% of cardholders), though actual usage rate at hospitals was only about 37%.

7. Mainichi Shimbun
   ”78 Million Employer Health Insurance Cards Expire December 1, 2025”
   Accessed February 2026. Reported the expiration of approximately 78 million employer-based health insurance cards on December 1, 2025 as part of the transition to My Number Card-based health insurance.

8. Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁)
   “Overseas Departure and My Number Card Retention” (国外転出とマイナンバーカード)
   https://www.isa.go.jp/
   Accessed February 2026. Since May 2024, foreign residents can retain their My Number Cards even after filing 国外転出 (overseas departure notification), useful for those planning to return to Japan.

Note on Application Processing Time: The 1-2 month processing time cited in this article is typical for most municipalities as of 2026. Processing times can extend to 3 months during peak periods (January-March tax season) or vary by municipality. Some Tokyo wards (Shibuya, Shinjuku) process faster than rural areas.

Note on Photo Requirements: My Number Card photo specifications (4.5×3.5 cm, white background, taken within 6 months) are standardized nationally. Photos failing to meet these requirements (hats, sunglasses, colored backgrounds, poor lighting) will be rejected during the application review process.

Note on PIN Requirements: The card requires two separate PINs: (1) a 4-digit PIN for daily use (利用者証明用) at convenience stores, health insurance verification, and MynaPortal login; (2) a 6-16 character password (署名用) mixing uppercase letters and numbers for digital signatures on e-Tax and official documents. Three failed attempts lock the card, requiring in-person reset at ward office.

Note on Convenience Store Certificate Printing: The コンビニ交付 service is available at 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart locations nationwide from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM (some municipalities limit hours). Certificates cost ¥200-¥300, typically cheaper than ward office fees (¥300-¥400). Not all municipalities participate; verify your ward/city supports this service.