Hello, all! Although chances are low that anyone has gone through this process, I would like to hear your opinion and advice.
Due to strong personal and family-related reasons, in the near future I plan to change my name in my home country. Do understand that this is not just a thought I had this morning. My given name shall remain the same, but my family name will change completely (I would be using one of my grandparents' family names). This change is perfectly legal and normal in my home country.
Now, at the moment, I am living in Japan, under three-year student visa. I plan to ultimately settle in Japan and continue living in here after that. My current passport, visa, residence card, etc etc etc all uses my current name, of course. The transition from student visa to working visa sounds like a good moment to make the name change.
Now, my main questions are:
Any advice will be welcome! Thanks
Due to strong personal and family-related reasons, in the near future I plan to change my name in my home country. Do understand that this is not just a thought I had this morning. My given name shall remain the same, but my family name will change completely (I would be using one of my grandparents' family names). This change is perfectly legal and normal in my home country.
Now, at the moment, I am living in Japan, under three-year student visa. I plan to ultimately settle in Japan and continue living in here after that. My current passport, visa, residence card, etc etc etc all uses my current name, of course. The transition from student visa to working visa sounds like a good moment to make the name change.
Now, my main questions are:
- Which office in Japan should I ask about this? I am thinking of visiting the Immigration Office, but I wonder if you think I should ask somewhere else. First and foremost, I need to figure out how my name change (and therefore, my new passport) would affect everything else.
- What do you think should be my best course of action? I understand that legal stuff (visa, residence, driving license) wouldn't be a problem. However, the two main things that worry me are: (a) my university registration + government funding, and (b) my house contract. Both (a) and (b) seem to be things I should be very careful about, alas I might mess everything up.
Any advice will be welcome! Thanks