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When a foreign national family member or employee living in Japan passes away, amidst grief, several procedures must be completed within a short timeframe. In addition to the Death Notification, which is the same as for Japanese nationals, foreign nationals require the return of their Residence Card, and the Status of Residence of surviving family members may also require notification. Furthermore, if there is real estate in Japan, inheritance registration, which became mandatory from April 1, 2024, is also relevant. This article organizes the procedures for when a foreign national dies in Japan in order of urgency, explaining the governing law for inheritance, the obligation of inheritance registration, the Status of Residence of surviving family members, and the response of the accepting company, for foreign nationals themselves, their families, and HR professionals of companies.
| Procedure | Deadline | Who | Where | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Death Notification | Within 7 days from the day the death was learned of | Cohabiting relatives, other cohabitants, landlord/landowner, manager of house or land, etc. | Municipal office of the place of death or the notifier’s residence | Family Register Act, Articles 86, 87, 25(2), and 88 |
| Return of Residence Card (Special Permanent Resident Certificate) | Within 14 days from the date of death (or within 14 days from the date of discovery if found after death) | Relative or cohabitant of the deceased | Submit in person to a regional Immigration Services Bureau, or mail | Immigration Control Act, Article 19-15(4) (Special Permanent Resident Certificate is guided by the Immigration Services Agency) |
| Notification of Relationship with Spouse | Within 14 days from the date of separation by death | Spouse holding “Dependent” (spouse) or “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” Status of Residence | Immigration Services Agency | Immigration Control Act, Article 19-16(3) |
| Inheritance Registration | Within 3 years from the day the commencement of inheritance and acquisition of ownership were learned of | Heir who acquired ownership of real estate through inheritance | Legal Affairs Bureau with jurisdiction over the real estate | Real Estate Registration Act, Article 76-2 |
💡 To avoid omissions, it is helpful to think of the deadlines in order: Death Notification (7 days) → Return of Residence Card and notification for applicable spouse’s Status of Residence (14 days) → Inheritance Registration (3 years).
The “Living and Working Guidebook” (8th edition) supervised by the Immigration Services Agency advises that when a person dies in Japan, a relative or cohabitant must submit a Death Notification to the municipal office of the place of death or the notifier’s residence within 7 days from the day they learned of the death. The Family Register Act also stipulates that notifications concerning foreign nationals shall be made at the notifier’s residence (Family Register Act, Article 25, Paragraph 2).
The persons who can make the notification are, in the order specified in Article 87 of the Family Register Act, cohabiting relatives, other cohabitants, landlords/landowners, or managers of houses or land. However, notifications can be made regardless of this order, and relatives who do not cohabit can also make the notification.
The Ministry of Justice, in a notice from the Director of the Civil Affairs Division I of the Civil Affairs Bureau dated June 30, 2026, reiterates that “notifier’s residence” is not limited to the registered address but also includes temporary places of stay. Family members who have rushed from overseas can also submit a Death Notification at the municipal office where they are staying.
The registration of death in the home country and the handling of the home country’s passport/identification vary by country. Please confirm with the embassy or consulate general in Japan, including whether it is necessary.
A Residence Card loses its validity when its holder passes away (Immigration Control Act, Article 19-14, Item 6). In such a case, the relative or cohabitant of the deceased must return the Residence Card to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days from the date of death. If the Residence Card is found after the death, it must be returned within 14 days from the date it was found (Immigration Control Act, Article 19-15, Paragraph 4).
The same applies to the Special Permanent Resident Certificate; a relative or cohabitant must return it within 14 days from the date of death (or the date of discovery if found after death).
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| In Person | Bring it to the counter of the regional Immigration Services Bureau office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. |
| By Mail | Send it to the return address listed on the Immigration Services Agency’s website, along with the reference form “Regarding the Return of Residence Cards, etc.” and documents proving the reason for return (e.g., death certificate, Family Register). Write “Return of Residence Card, etc.” on the front of the envelope. |
The Immigration Services Agency advises that failure to return the card within the deadline may result in a fine. Although this is a busy time with funeral arrangements, please confirm the location of the Residence Card as early as possible.
Family members who were living in Japan based on the deceased’s Status of Residence may need to review their Status of Residence.
Those holding the “Dependent” Status of Residence (as a Spouse) and “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” Status of Residence (as a Spouse) must notify the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days from the date of their spouse’s death (Immigration Control Act, Article 19-16, Item 3).
The “Dependent” Status of Residence is for daily activities conducted by a spouse or child who is supported by a person residing under a work-related Status of Residence or a Student (Immigration Control Act, Appended Table I-4). If the supporting person passes away, this premise no longer exists. Therefore, if you wish to continue living in Japan, you should consider changing to another Status of Residence as soon as possible. Procedures for changing Status of Residence are explained in Application for Change of Status of Residence: When it’s possible, fees, and key points of examination.
A Spouse residing under the “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident” Status of Residence may be subject to Revocation of Status of Residence if they continue to reside without engaging in activities as a spouse for six months or more, unless there is a legitimate reason (Immigration Control Act, Article 22-4, Paragraph 1, Item 7). Examples of cases where a change to “Long-Term Resident” was approved or denied after the death of a spouse are organized in Long-Term Resident Visa: Cases where change was approved after divorce or death.
Inheritance (e.g., who becomes an heir and how much they inherit) is governed by the national law of the deceased (decedent) (Act on General Rules for Application of Laws, Article 36). However, if the national law dictates that Japanese law should apply, then Japanese law will apply (same Act, Article 41, renvoi). Since the provisions of national laws vary by country, individual confirmation is necessary.
The handling of cases with a Will and the governing law for the form of a Will are explained in detail in Wills for Foreign Nationals: Governing Law, Form, and Amendment Making Seals Optional.
Furthermore, from February 2, 2026, the “System for Certification of Owned Real Property Records” (Real Property Registration Act, Article 119-2) has commenced, allowing registrars to certify a list of real properties for which a specific deceased person is recorded as the owner in the registry. This provides a clue to ascertain where real property was located in Japan.
An heir who has acquired ownership of real property through Inheritance (including a Will) must apply for inheritance registration within 3 years from the day they became aware of the commencement of the inheritance for themselves and the acquisition of that ownership (Real Property Registration Act, Article 76-2, Paragraph 1). If the application is neglected without legitimate reason, it will be subject to a non-penal fine of up to 100,000 yen (same Act, Article 164, Paragraph 1). This obligation applies when inheritance commences for the registered owner of the property, regardless of whether the deceased or the heir is a foreign national.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | April 1, 2024. Even for inheritances that commenced before the effective date, if inheritance registration has not been done, it is subject to this obligation, and registration is required by March 31, 2027 (or within 3 years from the date of knowing the acquisition of real property through inheritance, if that date is April 2024 or later). |
| When Estate Division is Concluded | An application for registration reflecting the contents of the estate division must be filed within 3 years from the date the estate division is concluded (Real Property Registration Act, Article 76-2, Paragraph 2, Article 76-3, Paragraph 4, etc.). |
| Heir Declaration Registration | If an heir notifies the registrar within 3 years that inheritance has commenced and that they are an heir, it is deemed that the basic obligation to apply for inheritance registration has been fulfilled (Real Property Registration Act, Article 76-3). This effect applies only to the heir who made the declaration, and the obligation when estate division is concluded cannot be fulfilled by this method. |
| Notice Before Non-Penal Fine | If the registrar identifies a violation of the obligation, they will first set a reasonable period and demand the application. If the application is not filed within that period without legitimate reason, the court will be notified. |
| Examples of Legitimate Reasons | Cases where there are an extremely large number of heirs and it takes a long time to collect Family Register-related documents, cases where the validity of a Will or the scope of the estate is disputed, cases where the person obligated has a serious illness or other circumstances, etc. |
| Exemption from Registration and License Tax | For inheritance registration of land, there is an exemption measure until March 31, 2027, for ① inheritance registration where the person who acquired land through inheritance died without completing the inheritance registration, and ② inheritance registration of land with a value of 1 million yen or less. |
When a foreign national residing overseas applies for registration to become a new registered owner of property, they must attach a certificate of address issued by the government of their home country or country of residence, or a certificate of address issued by a notary in their home country or country of residence, along with a copy of their passport, as proof of address. A translation is also required for documents prepared in a foreign language (applicable to applications filed on or after April 1, 2024, as per the Ministry of Justice’s guidance). For Japanese heirs living overseas, please refer to Difference between Certificate of Residence and Certificate of Signature | Inheritance Procedures for Overseas Residents.
From April 1, 2026, property owners are obligated to apply for a change of registration within two years from the date of a change in their name or address (Article 76-5 of the Real Estate Registration Act). Failure to do so without a legitimate reason is subject to a non-penal fine of up to 50,000 yen (Article 164, Paragraph 2 of the same Act). This also applies when family members relocate or return to their home country after becoming the registered owner of inherited property. If a change occurred before the enforcement date and has not been registered, registration is required by March 31, 2028.
Q1. My family lives overseas. Who can submit the Death Notification?
A. Article 87 of the Family Register Act designates cohabiting relatives, other cohabitants, landlords, landowners, and property managers as persons obligated to report. Relatives who do not cohabit can also submit the notification. Family members who have come to Japan from overseas can also submit the notification by listing the municipality of their stay as the “notifier’s address.”
Q2. The Residence Card was found some time after the death.
A. If a Residence Card is found after death, it must be returned within 14 days from the date it was found (Article 19-15, Paragraph 4 of the Immigration Control Act).
Q3. All heirs live overseas. Is the deadline for inheritance registration the same?
A. The obligation to apply for inheritance registration is within 3 years from the date of knowing the commencement of inheritance and the acquisition of ownership, and it does not change depending on where the heirs reside. When a foreign national living overseas becomes the registered owner, a certificate of address from their home country or country of residence is required, so it is recommended to start preparations early.
Q4. Will I be immediately subject to a non-penal fine if I don’t complete inheritance registration?
A. If the registrar identifies a violation of the obligation, they will first set a reasonable period and urge the application. If the application is not filed within that period without a legitimate reason, the court will be notified, and it will be subject to a non-penal fine of up to 100,000 yen. It is important to file the application within the deadline or to complete the heir declaration registration.
Q5. My husband passed away. Can my child and I, who have “Dependent” Status of Residence, remain in Japan?
A. Since “Dependent” is a Status of Residence for a dependent spouse or child, the premise for this Status of Residence will be lost as is. The spouse should notify the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days of the death and then consider changing to another Status of Residence. Whether this is approved depends on individual circumstances, so please consult us early.
Q6. I live in Miyazaki. Where can I return my Residence Card?
A. You can bring it to the regional Immigration Services Agency that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. In Miyazaki City, there is the Miyazaki Branch Office of the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau (Miyazaki Legal Affairs General Government Building 2F, 1-1 Beppu-cho, Miyazaki City). You can also return it by mail.
When a foreign national dies in Japan, the deadlines are as follows: Death Notification within 7 days, return of Residence Card and Notification of Relationship with Spouse (for applicable Status of Residence) within 14 days, and inheritance registration within 3 years. Inheritance is generally determined by the national law of the deceased, and inheritance registration for real estate in Japan is mandatory regardless of nationality. For the surviving family to continue living in Japan, a review of their Status of Residence may be necessary. It is important to check the deadlines in a list and proceed from the shortest one.
💴 Support fees for international inheritance are listed on the “Fee” page, and the breakdown for each process is on the “International Inheritance / International Will” page. Please also refer to the fee schedule for changes in family members’ Status of Residence (e.g., from Dependent to Long-Term Resident). The first consultation is free for up to 60 minutes online.
As an Administrative Scrivener Corporation in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, our office assists foreign nationals and their families with residence procedures and international inheritance.
For procedures that can be filed online, such as applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay, we accept requests from clients nationwide. Meetings are held online (Google Meet, LINE) and documents are exchanged by mail or electronically, so there is no need to visit our office. Applications for Permission for Permanent Residence and for Permission of Naturalization cannot be filed online and must be submitted at the counter, so they are limited to residents of Miyazaki Prefecture. Depending on the procedure and its urgency, you may need to collect your Residence Card at the counter of the immigration office covering the area where you live. Online applications cannot be filed on the last day of your period of stay, so please consult us as early as possible.
Please feel free to use our free consultation first.
📞 To book a phone consultation: 0985-68-0851
Before you submit, let us take a look.
Free Immigration Pre-Submission Check ›
For those who will apply for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau by themselves. Before you submit, we check your application form and supporting documents and tell you about any missing documents and points to watch. We accept checks online (Google Meet, about 20 minutes) or via LINE.
・Eligible: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay (applications for permanent residence are accepted only from residents of Miyazaki Prefecture). Naturalization is not covered.
・Online (Google Meet): once per application. Replies via LINE: available for the same application until you submit it.
・Our guideline for replies via LINE is, in principle, within 2 business days (we are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; replies may take longer when we are busy).
・Please send copies of your documents by LINE or email. For your residence card, send the front side only; please do not send the side showing your My Number.
・What we tell you is our office’s opinion. It does not guarantee approval; the outcome depends on the decision of the Immigration Services Bureau.
・We only point out missing documents and points to watch. We do not prepare or rewrite your application documents for you or draft text for them, and we do not tell you whether your application is likely to be approved (if you would like to engage us, we will introduce the Self-Prep Course, the Light Plan and the Standard Plan).
・If we find that a document contains information that is not true, or that the application is not your own (or a family member’s), we will decline the check.
This article is written based on publicly available information as of October 2026. Details of the system and implementation period may change in the future. For actual applications, please check the official information from the Immigration Services Agency and the Ministry of Justice, or contact our office.
Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications, Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
