Well, today is Monday, May 2, a weekday.
I'm going to the ward office to do the necessary procedures after the baby was born!
There are three necessary procedures: Submitting a birth certificate, Applying for child medical expense subsidy and child allowance!
Today, I'd like to introduce these three procedures in Japan😁✨
For each of them, the submission period and what is required are summarized below.
The submission period, in particular, varies, but to summarize it simply, it should be completed within two weeks from the date of birth in Japan.😜
However, please note that Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year holidays, and *Golden Week are also counted as days!
*In Japan, there are many national holidays and weekends from the end of April to the beginning of May, which are collectively called Golden Week.
So, please complete the procedures at the municipal office on the next weekday after you receive the birth certificate form the hospital where you gave birth.☺👍
Also, if you can afford it, it would be convenient if you can get the necessary documents for submitting documents related to childbirth (including taking childcare leave) to your employer at the municipal office at this time.
Please see below for a summary of the procedures for Birth certificate, Application for child medical expense subsidies, and Child allowance.
Information is current as of April 15, 2023.
The information is based on Toshima-ku, Tokyo.
Please make sure to check the website of your municipality before proceeding.
もくじ／Table of Contents
Birth Certificate
What is Birth Certificate?
This is a document to be submitted to the government office regarding the birth of a baby.
On the left side of the birth certificate, there are columns for the birth of the child, the father and mother of the child, etc., and on the right side, there is a column for the birth certificate to be written by the medical institution where the child was born.
In principle, the medical institution where the child is born will provide a birth certificate with the right side completed.
When my wife left the hospital, we received a birth certificate from the maternity hospital with the birth certificate section filled out.
Notification period
Within 14 days of birth
Applicant
Father or Mother
What you need
1. Birth registration
2. Maternal and child health handbook (if you do not have this at hand, such as if you are giving birth at home, you may submit it at a later date)
Reference: Toshima Ward website, "When a Baby is Born"
Date of visit: April 15, 2023
Application for Child Medical Expense Subsidy
What is Medical Expense Subsidy for Children?
Under this system, children up to the end of their third year of junior high school (until the first March 31st after they reach 15 years of age) are issued a medical care certificate to subsidize the co-payment they make when they receive insured medical treatment at medical institutions.
Please note, however, that medical treatment not covered by insurance cannot be subsidized.
*As of April 2023, those who are in the high school school starting period (from April 1 of 15 years old to March 31 of 18 years old) are also eligible for medical subsidies, but this section is omitted. In Japan, the age of majority has been lowered to 18, so 18-year-olds are no longer considered "children. So, the term "children" has been changed to "those who". 😜
The amount of medical subsidy varies depending on the municipality in which you live, so please check the website of your municipality for details!
Notification period
Within 2 months from the date of birth
*Please note that if you apply for the subsidy after two months have passed from the date of birth, the subsidy will begin on the date of application, and medical expenses incurred before the date of application will not be subsidized!
Applicant
Eligible child guardian or Member of the same household
*A letter of attorney is required if a person other than those listed above, or a person who lives at the same address but in a different household on the resident registration form, performs the procedures.
What you need
1. Application Form for Issuance of Medical Care Certificate for Infants and Children
Application Form PDF Example PDF (From Toshima Ward website/Written in Japanese)
2. A copy of the parent's or guardian's health insurance card which the baby will enroll in the insurance
*If the father, mother, etc. are both working, in principle, the baby will be enrolled in the health insurance of the person with the higher income, so please prepare a copy of the insurance card of the parent or guardian with the higher income.
3. Seal
Reference: Toshima City website, "Subsidies for Children's Medical Expenses"
Date of visit: April 15, 2023
Child Allowance
What is Child Allowance?
This allowance is provided to guardians of children up to the third year of junior high school (children up to the first March 31 after reaching the age of 15).
*If the father, mother, etc. are both working, in principle, the parent or guardian with the higher income will be the beneficiary.
The amount paid varies depending on age and whether it is the first or second child or third child and later, as shown below.
〇List of Amounts Paid
0-3 years old: 15,000 yen
From 3 years old to before completion of elementary school (the first and second child): 10,000 yen
3 years old and above before the elementary school has been repaired (the third child or lower): 15,000 yen
*The first child is counted as a child who is between the day he/she reaches 18 years of age and the first March 31st thereafter.
Junior high school students: 10,000 yen
By the way, government employees are paid by their employers.
Please check with your employer for the procedure.
In addition, there is an income limit, and if the child allowance is less than this income limit, the child allowance will be provided.
Notification period
Within 15 days from the day following the date of birth
*In principle, the child allowance will be paid from the month following the month of application. If you apply within 15 days from the day after the date of birth, the child allowance will be paid from the month following the date of birth, but please note that if you apply after that time, the child allowance will not be paid for the month that has passed!!!
Applicant
Applicant (recipient) or Person in the same household
*A letter of attorney is required if a person other than those listed above, or a person who lives at the same address but in a different household on the resident registration form, performs the procedures.
What you need
1. Request form for certification of child allowance and special benefit
Application Form PDF Example PDF (From Toshima Ward website/Written in Japanese)
2. Proof of savings account to which the money is to be transferred (in the applicant's name)
*Some financial institutions are not able to handle this service.
3. Personal identification number(My number) of the applicant (recipient) and spouse
e.g., Personal number card, Notification card, Copy of residence certificate with personal number or Certificate of matters stated in residence certificate, etc.
4. Documents verifying the identity of the applicant (recipient)
(Documents that can be verified with 1 item)
Photo identification issued by a government or municipal office, such as Driver's license, Passport, or Personal number card
(Documents that can be verified with 2 item)
Health insurance card, Pension book, Copy of certificate of residence, Certificate of matters stated in certificate of residence, etc.
5. If the applicant is a public employee and a member of a mutual aid association, Copy of the applicant's health insurance card
Reference: Toshima Ward website, "Child Allowance"
Date of visit: April 15, 2023
The above is a summary of the procedures for Birth notification, Application for child medical expense subsidy, and Child allowance in Japan. 😁👍✨
It was quite a hard task to prepare all the necessary documents for the procedure, but I also finished the procedure without any problems. 🤪🤪🤪
Since it was a weekday afternoon, the procedure took about an hour, including waiting time.
So I recommend everyone to go to the government office for procedures during the daytime on weekdays! 🤗
to be continued...
