3 min read
No Form? Apply Same-Day for a My Number Card (Cheat Sheet)
A fast checklist to reissue your QR application form at city hall and submit your My Number Card application the same day.
Fastest path: Go to the city/ward office where your residence is registered, ask them to reissue a QR-code My Number Card application form (申請書ID/23 digits), then submit your application the same day (using your phone, a photo booth, or the office’s application-support desk—if available).
Part of our My Number Card application for foreigners in Japan 2026: the fast, nationwide guide (even if you lost the form) guide.
What to bring (minimum set + if you’re missing items)
- Residence Card (在留カード) (original)
- Your My Number (12 digits) if you know it (photo/screenshot is fine)
- A phone that can scan QR codes (optional, but fastest if you get a QR application form)
- One ID photo (optional; you can also take it at a booth or get help at the office)
| If you’re missing… | Do this today |
|---|---|
| The application form / QR code / 23-digit ID | Request a reissued form at your municipal office; the official My Number Card FAQ says you can obtain an application form with an application form ID at your local municipal office free of charge. (Official FAQ) |
| You don’t know your My Number (12 digits) | Still go to the municipal office and ask for the QR-code application form to be issued there (this is specifically recommended when you don’t know your number). (Official FAQ) |
| ID photo | Use a photo booth, or ask if they have “application support” (申請サポート) that takes your photo and submits the application. Photo-taking at offices differs by municipality. (Official FAQ) |
Before you go: find the right counter in 60 seconds
You must go to the municipality where your residence is registered (住民登録). In most cities, this is a dedicated “My Number Card counter” (マイナンバーカード窓口).
| What to search | Copy/paste (Japanese) | What you’re looking for |
|---|---|---|
| Your city/ward + “My Number counter” | ◯◯市 マイナンバーカード 窓口 / ◯◯区 マイナンバーカード 窓口 | Counter location, required items, whether they offer photo/application support, reservation rules |
| If your prefecture publishes a list | ◯◯県 マイナンバーカード 交付窓口 一覧 | Some prefectures publish municipal counter lists (example list page). (Example: Kanagawa Prefecture) |
At the city/ward office: what to ask for (scripts + keywords)
Go to the counter and use one of these. Keep it short and point to your residence card.
- Reissue the QR application form (recommended)
- Japanese: 「マイナンバーカードの交付申請書（QRコード付き）を再発行してください。」
- English meaning: “Please reissue my My Number Card application form with a QR code.”
- Keyword: 申請書ID（23桁） (23-digit application ID). The official online-application guide shows the application form uses a 23-digit ID. (Official PDF)
- Ask for same-day submission help
- Japanese: 「今日、窓口で申請までできますか？申請サポートはありますか？」
- English meaning: “Can I submit the application today at the counter? Do you have application support?”
- If you’re told “you need the form”
- Japanese: 「申請書をなくしました。窓口でQRコード付きの申請書を発行できますか？」
- The official FAQ says reissuance is done at the municipal office where you registered your residence. (Official FAQ)
Same-day submission flow (counter → photo → application → confirmation)
- Counter: Request reissue of the QR-code application form (QRコード付き交付申請書). Confirm whether they can submit it on-site today.
- Photo: Choose the fastest option below.
- Application submission:
- On your phone: scan the QR code on the form and apply online (this is an official method). (Official site)
- At a photo booth: some booths support My Number Card applications using the QR code on the form. (Example: ID-Spot guidance)
- At the office (if offered): “application support” may take your photo and submit electronically (availability varies). (Official FAQ)
- Confirmation before you leave: Ask what happens next (pickup letter by mail, appointment rules, how long it’s currently taking in your municipality).
Photo options (pick one)
| Option | Best when | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bring a photo | You already have one that meets specs | Varies | Fastest at the counter; if the photo is rejected later, you may need to resubmit. |
| Photo booth | You want speed near the office/station | Varies | Look for “マイナンバー申請” support on the booth screen (depends on machine/model). |
| Municipal “申請サポート” | You don’t have a photo or want staff help | Often free | Some municipalities offer free photo + tablet submission, but it is not universal. (Official FAQ) |
Costs, timing, and what “same-day” really means
“Same-day” means same-day application submission, not same-day card issuance.
| Item | Typical cost | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| First-time application | Free | Official FAQ: initial issuance application fee is free. (Official FAQ) |
| Replacement due to loss/damage (reissue) | May be paid | Official FAQ warns reissue due to loss/damage can be charged. (Official FAQ) |
| How long until the card reaches your municipality | Often weeks | The official site notes a general guide of about 3–4 weeks from application to delivery to the municipality (can vary). (Official note) |
If you get stuck (2-minute fixes)
- They say “photo required”: Ask “申請サポートはありますか？” or go to a nearby booth and come back.
- They say “reservation required”: Ask if you can at least get the QR application form reissued today, then book the next slot.
- You need help in English by phone: The official helpline lists foreign-language support numbers and hours. (Official contact page)
| Help line | Phone | Hours (Japan time) |
|---|---|---|
| My Number general toll-free | 0120-95-0178 | Weekdays 9:30–20:00; weekends/holidays 9:30–17:30 (some options differ). (Official) |
| Foreign-language support (incl. English) | 0120-0178-27 | English/Chinese/Korean/Spanish/Portuguese: daily 8:30–20:00 (temporary suspension is 24h). (Official) |
Want this as a personalized, bring-to-the-counter checklist with copy-paste Japanese? Use LO-PAL to prep in minutes — Back to full guide.
Written by
Taku Kanaya
Founder, LO-PAL
Former Medical Coordinator for Foreign Patients (Ministry of Health programme) and legal affairs professional. Built LO-PAL from firsthand experience navigating life abroad.
Written with partial AI assistance
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