How can foreigners create a registered seal? Introducing recommended stamp materials and fonts

Some foreigners who have lived in Japan for a long time may have experienced the inconvenience of not having a personal HANKO such as a registered seal. In this article, for foreigners who are not familiar with HANKO, we will explain the points to consider when creating a registered seal.

Even foreigners can register a registered seal.

This is a method for foreigners to register a registered seal, but it is basically the same as the method for Japanese people to register a registered seal. However, the notation method may be slightly different. Let's take a look at how to register a registered seal for foreigners.

Foreigners can register a registered seal just like Japanese people

Culturally, HANKO are only used in Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, and many Europeans may not be particularly familiar with them. Japan is the only country where HANKO are used especially for administrative procedures. However, please rest assured that foreigners can register their registered seals in the same way as Japanese people.

Many foreigners do not know how to make a jitsuin (official seal), but if you have lived in Japan for a long time, you will find yourself needing a jitsuin more often than you might imagine.
Foreigners can also create a registered seal, but please note that some local governments do not accept HANKO with English writing. When creating a registered seal, it is necessary to check with each local government in advance regarding the writing.

Procedures for registering a registered seal

The procedure for registering a registered seal is the same for both foreigners and Japanese people. Therefore, foreigners must also prepare documents according to Japanese procedural rules. What you need to register your registered seal is the HANKO you wish to register, as well as your identification card (something with your face on it, such as a driver's license, residence card, or passport).
If you are unable to go to the office due to illness or other reasons, you may have someone come to you on your behalf. In that case, a representative will go to the town hall with a power of attorney written by the person in question. In the case of procedures on behalf of someone else, the agent must go to the town hall twice, so if the person in question is able to do so, it is better to go to the town hall in person.

Points for foreigners when creating a registered seal

There are several points to keep in mind when foreigners create a registered seal. If it is written in English, it will be long, and the face of the stamp will change greatly depending on the notation. We will explain the notation and font of the name.

Name notation

To create a HANKO for a foreigner, it must be written in either katakana or alphabetical characters. Many local governments allow you to register your registered seal with either type of seal, so there should be no problem if you choose the one you prefer. However, if you write it in English, the number of characters may become too large, or you may not be able to create a HANKO. Please note that the number of characters that can be engraved on a HANKO is determined by its size, so if there are many characters, you will need to make a larger HANKO.

HANKO font

There is no specified font for registering a registered seal, so you can choose your favorite font. However, since the number of characters increases when it comes to alphabetical notation, it is difficult to create complex typefaces like inso typefaces. Depending on the typeface, the stamp shop may refuse, so please check in advance. It is recommended that foreigner's registered seals are often made in old seal typefaces. Create HANKO by choosing your preferred format, keeping in mind its appearance.

Recommended HANKO for registering registered seals

When foreigners register a registered seal, they must be careful about the size of the HANKO. Since there are more characters than Japanese, you may not be able to create a HANKO unless you pay close attention to the size. Here, we will explain the recommended HANKO sizes and materials for foreigners to make their HANKO .

HANKO size

There are rules regarding the size of registered HANKO that can be registered. HANKO that are too large or too small cannot be registered. Basically, it must be larger than a square with one side length of 8mm, and one side length less than 25mm.
There are size regulations, but when you request a stamp shop to create a registered seal, if you tell them that you would like to have a HANKO registered as a registered seal, they will create one of the appropriate size.

HANKO material

There are many different types of HANKO and many people get confused, but basically there is no problem as long as you choose one made of the material you like. For example, materials such as black buffalo and cow horn are particularly popular among men. It is a type of HANKO that is durable, has a nice texture, and has a luxurious feel.

Titanium is recommended for those who want something that is easy to clean. Titanium is made of metal and is washable. Since the stamp surface can be washed quickly, there is no need to wipe it off, so it will be easy to use even for foreigners who are not familiar with HANKO.

For women, we recommend HANKO made from Dutch water buffalo or wood. Wood-based HANKO are popular among women because they are very light, so they don't put any strain on your hands, and they feel nice to the touch.

summary

If you are a foreigner and plan to live in Japan for a long time, creating a personal HANKO such as a registered seal is useful in a variety of situations. There are HANKO that are suitable and some that are not, so please refer to this article to choose a HANKO and register your seal smoothly.