What is a registered seal? Explaining the difference between bank seal and registered seal

What is a registered seal?

A registered seal is a HANKO used to publicly certify an individual's decision-making. I think many people create it to buy a car or a house.
Registered seals are used for contracts that have a major impact on people's lives, so they are the most important HANKO used by individuals.

Many jitsuin are created in unique fonts such as inso font or seal font, which gives them a special impression, but just creating one does not make it effective as a jitsuin. In order for the HANKO you created to have legal effect, you need to register it at a city hall or similar location. It is only after the registration procedure is completed that it becomes effective as a registered seal. By the way, only one registered seal can be registered per person. A registered seal is a unique HANKO that expresses your intentions.

Registered seal, bank seal, registered seal | HANKO used by individuals

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Difference from bank seal

There are several types of HANKO used by individuals, but the most important HANKO after the registered seal is the bank seal.
A bank seal is a HANKO used for bank procedures, and is used when opening a bank account or making transactions at a counter. The difference from registered seals lies in the purpose of use and the number of seals that can be made.
While registered seals are used for house and car contracts, bank seals are used specifically for banking procedures. It is less important than a registered seal because it is used for everyday purposes such as counter procedures. Additionally, there is no problem with creating multiple bank seals, so you can register separate HANKO for each bank.

Difference from a registered seal

The most frequently used personal HANKO is the personal seal. The seal is used for things such as receiving luggage, stamping employment contracts when finding employment, and filing notifications at city hall. The difference from registered seals is that they do not require registration at a government office and are produced in large quantities. It is often HANKO to mean that the item has been confirmed or has been looked over, and is easily available at 100 yen shops. It is possible to register it as a registered seal or a bank seal, but similar ones are available all over Japan and there is a high risk of forgery, so it is better to create a separate seal from the registered seal and bank seal. Sho.

Scenes when using a registered seal

Now, let's return to the actual seal and look at the usage scenarios. The main uses of registered seals are as follows.

• Real estate transactions : Verification of the owner when buying or selling a house or land; verification by the Legal Affairs Bureau when transferring registration
• Loan contract : Financial institution confirms that the real estate sales contract belongs to the principal, and submits a HANKO certificate.
• Purchasing and selling a car : A registered seal is used when registering a new car with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and a registered seal is also used when changing the name for sales, etc.
• Insurance contract : Although it is possible to have a certified seal affixed, it is best to use a real seal as it is an important contract.
• Receiving insurance money : It is better to affix a real seal at the time of signing the insurance contract in order to verify the identity of the person who signed the insurance contract and check it against the impression of the seal at the time of the contract.To prevent wear and deterioration of the HANKO itself during verification
• Establishment of a company : Individual's registered seal is used to authenticate the articles of incorporation when establishing a company, etc.
• Creation of notarized deeds : Used to affix a seal as identity verification to notarized deeds created in the event of inheritance or divorce.
• Procedures at government offices : Used for identity verification when applying for documents such as issuing certificates at government offices, etc.
• Inheritance : A registered seal is used as a seal of approval for the inheritance division agreement.

In both cases, it is necessary to legally confirm that it is the person's intention, and a registered seal is affixed to legally prove the person's identity.

How to register a HANKO

In order to use a HANKO as a registered seal, it is necessary to complete the HANKO registration procedure. Procedures are carried out at the government office where you register as a resident. Please note that you will not be able to register HANKO unless you are 15 years of age or older. Although there are slight differences in the notation depending on the government office, the conditions for registering a HANKO are as follows.

<Conditions for HANKO registration>

• 1 piece per person
• No registration in the same household
• Name registered as a resident or a combination of first and last names
• The size of the seal impression fits into a square with sides of 8 mm to 25 mm.

Since it is a HANKO that can be used to verify your identity, you must have one per person, and there are regulations that prohibit you from using one that is too small or too large. There are also detailed regulations regarding the shape and impression of a HANKO, so be sure to check this before registering HANKO.

<Examples of HANKO that cannot be registered>

• Materials that are easily deformed (such as rubber stamps)
• Imprint is unclear
• characters are cut off
• Reverse carving with letters engraved on it
• There is no outer frame
• English characters
• An illustration
• Something other than your full name, such as a stage name

It is important that a registered seal is used not only for stamping a contract, but also for verification. In some cases, such as when receiving insurance money, verification is performed more than 10 years after the seal is affixed, so the registered seal must be durable. Items that easily deteriorate, such as rubber stamps, cannot be registered as registered seals. In addition, stamps with cut letters or outer borders are difficult to distinguish from deteriorated condition, so these are also non-registerable HANKO.

<How to register a HANKO>

Once we have prepared a HANKO that meets the conditions, we will go through the registration procedure at the government office. All you need to bring is HANKO, ID, and registration fee. After applying, HANKO card will be issued on the same day, and the procedure is complete.

Issuance of HANKO certificate

Once the HANKO registration is completed, the registered HANKO is recognized as a legal means of expressing one's intentions. Of course, you cannot tell by just looking at the HANKO, so you will need to prove that it is a registered seal with a HANKO registration certificate. Therefore, it is necessary to submit a HANKO certificate for important contracts. A HANKO certificate is issued by bringing the HANKO card to the government office where the HANKO was registered, but it can also be obtained at a convenience store. However, if you have a HANKO card, a HANKO certificate can be issued without the owner's power of attorney, so be careful when managing it.

Points to remember when making a registered seal

Here are some points to keep in mind when making a registered seal. There are four points to consider: size, seal impression, engraving, and font.

size

Regarding the size of the registered seal, we will create it according to the size that can be HANKO. The size that can be registered as a HANKO is one that fits in a square with sides of 8 mm to 25 mm . It should be neither too small nor too large. There are different sizes of registered seals that are easy to use for men and women, and there are standard sizes. We recommend 16mm to 18mm for men and 13mm to 15mm for women. The ease of HANKO and stamping the seal changes depending on its size. Try it on and see which size is right for you.

seal impression

The next point is the impression. A seal impression is the HANKO that remains on paper when a seal is stamped. In order to register a HANKO, it is necessary to create an outer frame around the seal impression, so we will decide on the shape of the outer frame. There is no particular shape specified, but if it is chipped, it cannot be registered, and if it is chipped due to aging, it will not be possible to match, so a standard shape is recommended. Generally, circular, oval, and rectangular shapes are used. Regulations regarding the shape of the seal may differ depending on the municipality, so be sure to check in advance.

sculpture

The third point is the sculpture. Patterns that can be registered include full name, last name, given name, initials (for Taro Yamada, "Yamata"), etc. Please note that it is necessary to use the kanji of the name registered as a resident, and registration may not be possible if the kanji are engraved in hiragana or katakana. In addition, registration will not be possible if there is engraving other than your name, such as a title or occupation name, an illustration, or reverse engraving that leaves a red background on the paper.

typeface

The last point is to choose the font when engraving the name.
As long as it is not unclear, it will not deviate from the registration regulations, so this is probably the point where you have the most freedom of choice.
The trick to deciding on a font is to choose one that cannot be forged. A personal seal is a unique HANKO that can only be registered once per person. Choose a font that is moderately irregular to avoid the risk of forgery or unauthorized use.
However, if you carve a typeface that is so unrecognizable from the original, the government office may refuse to register it, so it is best to choose one of the three typefaces we will introduce. In order of ease of reading, Koin-tai, Tensho-tai, and the most difficult typeface to read is Inso-tai.

Characteristics of the typeface

Kointai

A typeface that has well-defined lines and is highly readable. It is often engraved on bank seals and seals.

Seal typeface

The typeface most often used for registered seals. Japan's oldest HANKO is also engraved in a seal calligraphy.

Insoutai

A typeface that is difficult to read and difficult to forge. It has an auspicious meaning, such as a harbinger of good fortune.

If you want to avoid the risk of being refused registration at the government office because it is difficult to read, we recommend using an inso font or seal font that is moderately difficult to read. This is the typeface most commonly used for registered seals.

What material should I use to make the registered seal?

In order to use the HANKO you have created as a registered seal, you must register the HANKO with each local government such as city hall. Please note that there is a high possibility that registration will not be possible if the seal impression is unclear or if the material is easily deformed such as a rubber stamp. The following materials are recommended for the registered seal:

Sturdy and long-lasting material

The biggest role of a registered seal is to obtain a HANKO registration certificate and verify that it is the same HANKO by comparing the seal impressions. The seal impression must be the same even if it is checked more than 10 years after the seal was affixed. Therefore, we recommend that the HANKO is made of sturdy and long-lasting material.

The most durable is the metal titanium HANKO. It is a stamp material that has recently become popular due to its metallic appearance. Ivory and buffalo horn have also been popular seal materials for a long time. On the other hand, depending on how wooden stamp materials (such as Japanese psyllium) are stored, stores may receive complaints that the surface of the stamp has deteriorated or become weak, causing it to chip.

Examples of materials suitable for registered seals

Titanium is a material for HANKO that has recently been attracting attention due to its high durability. Pure titanium, which is used as a stamping material, is less likely to cause metal allergies, and is a human-friendly metal that is used in medical devices such as artificial joints and heart pacemakers. Above all, it is light and durable enough to be used in aircraft and rockets, making it perfect for a registered seal.

Other stamp materials include ivory, known as the ``king of HANKO,'' as well as Dutch buffalo and black buffalo. Both are durable and suitable for stamps. Each type has its own merits, such as color, feel when held, ease of imprinting, and beauty of the impression, so choose the one that suits you best.

Situations where it is necessary to re-register the registered seal

HANKO registered seals may also need to be re-registered depending on the situation.

If you move to a different city, town or village

If you move to a different city, ward, town or village than your current one, you will need to re-register your registered seal.
In line with the transfer-out procedures when moving, submit an "Application for Abolition of HANKO Registration" at the municipal office where you are currently moving, and complete the HANKO registration in addition to the "Moving-in Notification" at the municipal office where you are moving. Let's.
If you are moving to the same city, ward, town or village, you do not need to re-register as the address on HANKO registration will be changed just by submitting a "Notification of Change of Address".

If your name changes due to marriage

In many cases, one spouse's surname changes upon marriage. Previously, it was common for a registered seal with your maiden name to become unusable. However, now you may be able to register HANKO with your maiden name by writing your maiden name on your My Number card, etc. Please check with each local government where you have your resident record. In some cases, this may mean re-registration.

Frequently asked questions about registered seals

A question that is often asked about registered seals is "Can I register the same registered seal as a family member?" Even if you are a HANKO couple or parent and child, you can only register one HANKO per person. You cannot register a HANKO that has been registered by someone else.

Also, many people ask, "Can stamp-type HANKO be registered as registered seals?" Although there are some differences depending on the municipality, rubber stamps and shachihata are generally considered "materials that easily deform" and cannot be registered as HANKO.

summary

I will summarize about the registered seal.

• A registered seal is a HANKO that is used when concluding important contracts and can legally prove identity.
• Only one HANKO per person that meets the specified standards can be registered.
• When creating a registered seal, the key points are to select the size, seal impression, engraving, and font within the regulations.
• It is recommended to use a durable and long-lasting stamp material (HANKO material).

A registered seal is a unique HANKO that can legally prove your decision. Please feel free to create your own personal seal. We hope that this article will be helpful in choosing a registered seal.