My Number PIN is locked: where to reopen it and what do I need to bring?
PIN My Number is locked does not mean the card is damaged. You can reset it at the My Number window where you registered your residence; Some electronic PIN numbers can also be processed at the kiosk if the conditions are met.
The PIN code of a locked My Number card can usually be opened by creating and resetting a new code, not by applying for a card reissue. The surest way to apply is to bring the card to the My Number window in the city, county, town or village where you registered 住民票. If only one of the 2 PINs of the electronic certificate is locked and you still know the other PIN, you can use the specialized application and reset it at the combini kiosk participating in the service.
The easy mistake is that the My Number card has up to 4 types of codes. The 4-digit code used to log in to Myna Portal or get paper at combini is locked after 3 consecutive incorrect entries, while the digital signature code consisting of 6–16 alphanumeric characters is locked after 5 times. The remaining two 4-digit codes cannot be reset using the kiosk service, so must go to a local window.
Quick answer: where should I go and what should I bring?
Situation | Appropriate place of disposal | Needs major preparation |
|---|---|---|
I don't know what code I locked | My Number window where 住民票 | is registered My Number card and additional identification documents according to local requirements |
Both 4-digit PIN and electronic signature PIN cannot be used | Local windows | My Number Card; You should ask in advance about the second identification document |
PIN 住民基本台帳用 locked | Local windows | My Number card and documents required by the locality |
PIN 券面事項入力補助用 locked | Local windows | My Number card and documents required by the locality |
Only 1 of the 2 electronic certificate PINs is locked, the remaining code is still known | App and combini kiosk support, or local windows | My Number card, compatible NFC phone and working PIN |
Someone else goes to work instead | Ask the local first | Authorization procedures, sealed responses and documents from both parties are often needed |
If you're standing in front of the screen and aren't sure which code is correct, don't keep trying. Stop, check the code sheet when receiving the card or ask at the local window; Each additional guess can block another function.
First of all, determine which PIN is locked
The name "PIN My Number" is often used in general, but on the card there are 4 codes with different purposes. Three 4-digit codes can be set the same when receiving the card, so users can easily think they are a unique code.
Japanese name | Code format | Usually used when | Locked behind |
|---|---|---|---|
利用者証明用電子証明書暗証番号 | 4 numbers | Log in to Myna Portal, use insurance card, get paper at combini | 3 consecutive mistakes |
署名用電子証明書暗証番号 | 6–16 alphanumeric characters | Sign electronic documents, e-Tax and some online applications | 5 consecutive mistakes |
住民基本台帳用暗証番号 | 4 numbers | Procedures for changing address and residence book operations | 3 consecutive mistakes |
券面事項入力補助用暗証番号 | 4 numbers | Read data of full name, address, date of birth, gender on the chip | 3 consecutive mistakes |
Incorrect entries may be accumulated across different devices and services. For example, entering incorrectly twice when logging into Myna Portal and then incorrectly once more at the kiosk is not necessarily considered starting over. Therefore, closing the application, changing phones or waiting until the next day is not the way to unlock.
You can roughly identify it by what you are doing:
Can't log in to Myna Portal or can't get 住民票 in combini: usually related to 利用者証明用電子証明書暗証番号.
Failure to send e-Tax or sign electronic forms: often related to 署名用電子証明書暗証番号.
Error in the address transfer procedure at the counter: may be related to 住民基本台帳用暗証番号.
The application cannot read card face information: may be related to 券面事項入力補助用暗証番号.
Notice saying the certificate is expired or invalid: probably not a PIN error; Need to check the certificate expiration date.
Method 1: reopen at the local My Number window
This is the simplest option when you do not know exactly which code is locked, have forgotten both electronic certificate codes, the lock code used for the residence book or the code to support card data entry. According to My Number Card Information Portal, people who forget these codes can do the initialization and reset procedure at the window of the locality where they registered their residence.
Go to the right place with 住民票 registration
You should contact 市役所, 区役所, 町役場 or 村役場 managing the address on the current 住民票. Some places divide channels to branches, regional offices or separate My Number counters; Not any administrative counter in Japan can handle it.
Before you go, check the website or call your local location:
Name and floor of the reception window.
Do I need to make an appointment or get a number in advance?
Does reception time end earlier than building closing time?
Is it open in the evening or on weekends?
Additional identification documents need to be brought.
Regulations if the card is expired, has a damaged chip or has just changed address.
What do those who go directly need to bring?
Detailed requirements are announced by each locality, but the safety preparation kit includes:
Original My Number card is PIN locked.
Another valid identification document, such as a residence card, driver's license or passport; Please ask locally what types are accepted.
Sheet recording the PIN codes received when picking up the card, if any; This document helps identify codes but does not replace identification documents.
Glasses or necessary support equipment to manually enter the new code without others seeing it.
Scheduling information or appointment card, if required by the locality.
Don't just carry a photocopy of your card on your phone. The window must operate with the chip of the real card. If the My Number card is also lost, the process is no longer "opening the PIN" but switching to locking use, reporting loss and applying for a card reissue.
What to do at the counter?
The specific process may vary, but usually includes the following steps:
Clearly state the function that is not available and notify you if you forget the code or have entered it incorrectly many times.
Present your My Number card and required identification documents.
Fill out the PIN reset or initialization form.
Staff verifies identity and status of cards and electronic certificates.
You enter the new code yourself on the device at the counter.
Check the functionality you need or ask when the new code will take effect.
The procedure to reset the PIN for the owner is usually processed during the visit to the counter if the card and documents are valid. However, if the deed has expired, residence information has not been updated, the card is damaged or the person traveling is a representative, other procedures may arise and may not be completed immediately.
Method 2: rebook at combini kiosk when eligible
This service is only for 2 PINs of electronic certificates: 4-digit PIN 利用者証明用 and 6–16-character PIN 署名用. The principle is to use a known and working code to authenticate and then reset the other code. If both are forgotten or both are locked, you must go to the local window.
According to JPKI Portal, you need to make an appointment in advance on the mobile app and complete it at the kiosk within 24 hours. Published kiosk operating hours are 6:30–23:00, but store access, equipment availability, or maintenance may affect usage.
Conditions and items needed
My Number card has a photo and can still be used; Do not use 通知カード.
The phone supports NFC and is compatible with the JPKI暗証番号リセット application.
JPKI暗証番号リセット application installed.
One of the 2 electronic certificate PINs is still known and has not been locked.
The relevant electronic certificate is still valid and has not been revoked.
Kiosks at chain stores support the exact type of reset you need.
Steps
Open the JPKI暗証番号リセット application and select the PIN type that needs to be reset.
Scan the information according to the instructions and read the card chip using NFC.
Use your working PIN to authenticate, then complete the booking.
Within 24 hours, go to the support kiosk and select 行政サービス.
Select マイナンバーカードのパスワード再設定 and the correct PIN type to reset.
Place the card on or insert the card according to the machine's instructions.
Enter a working PIN for authentication.
Enter the new PIN, confirm, take out the card and keep the receipt hidden if the machine prints it.
List of store chains, support service types and screen sequences are subject to change. Check the official kiosk instructions before going instead of assuming every combini will do.
In case you cannot use kiosk
You should skip the kiosk and contact the local area if you fall into one of the following situations:
Forgot or locked both the 4-digit PIN 利用者証明用 and the 6–16-character PIN 署名用.
The locked code is 住民基本台帳用 or 券面事項入力補助用.
Don't have an NFC compatible phone or the app can't read the tag.
The electronic certificate has expired, been revoked or has an invalid status.
The card is bent, cracked, the chip is broken or the kiosk continuously does not accept the card.
Changed basic information makes the electronic secretarial certificate no longer valid.
Unable to come to the support kiosk within 24 hours of scheduling.
The person doing the procedure is not the owner of the card.
If a booking expires, you usually have to redo the booking; Don't keep trying your PIN randomly. The JPKI portal also recommends local contact when the status of the deed cannot be determined.
Is it okay to ask someone else to go instead?
There may be a procedure through a representative, but it is usually not the type of card and authorization letter that is processed immediately. Because PIN is confidential information, many localities apply the 照会書兼回答書 process: receive the request, send verification to the owner's address, then the representative brings it back in a sealed envelope.
The representative should ask the locality first about:
Is representation accepted for this type of request?
What form of authorization is needed?
How many identification documents do the owner and representative each need?
Are photo documents required?
Did I have to go to the counter twice?
How to record and seal the new PIN so the representative cannot see it.
Do not write down your PIN on a regular authorization letter. If the locality sends a code-specific envelope, follow the instructions exactly and do not open the seal after the owner has completed it.
How to choose a new code to avoid being locked again?
When resetting, choose a code you can remember but is difficult for others to guess. Do not use date of birth, last 4 phone numbers, room number or simple repeating string if it can be avoided.
With a 4-digit code, prepare a 4-digit sequence in advance and enter slowly, checking each number.
For digitally signed codes, prepare a string of 6–16 capital letters and numbers according to the rules displayed at the counter or application.
Record it in a private place, do not write directly on the card and do not keep it in a card wallet.
Clearly distinguish the label of each code; Don't just write “PIN My Number”.
Do not send codes via group messages or to unauthorized support people.
When the application reports an error 1-2 times, stop to check instead of trying all possibilities.
Common errors
Think the lock will go away after 24 hours
The PIN lock is not a temporary lock like a banking app. Waiting a day, restarting the phone, or changing the kiosk will not automatically clear the number of errors. You need to perform appropriate initialization and reset procedures.
Confusing “change PIN” with “reset locked PIN”
Changing the code while still knowing the old code is a different process. When the code is locked or forgotten, you need initialization, reset or window support; Regular password changer apps may ask for the old code and not be able to help.
Assume that all 4-digit codes are reset to combini
Non-reset kiosk service 住民基本台帳用 and 券面事項入力補助用. It only supports 2 electronic certificate codes in the condition that one code is used to authenticate the other.
Going to the wrong place or missing a real card
The processing window is in principle tied to the place where you registered 住民票. Going to a ward office that doesn't manage your address or only bringing a photo of your card can make the trip pointless.
Keep trying when in doubt
4-digit PIN can only have 3 consecutive errors before being locked. If you are wrong twice, the next guess may void your Myna Portal, combini or insurance card until reset.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee to unlock My Number PIN?
There is usually no charge for initializing and resetting your PIN, but please confirm with your locality. If the card is lost or damaged and must be reissued, that is a different procedure and may incur fees.
What if I entered correctly but still get an error?
Don't assume it's a PIN lock. Maybe you're entering the wrong type of code, the certificate has expired, the card hasn't updated after changing the address, the chip is hard to read, or the service is undergoing maintenance. Record the error code verbatim and ask local windows.
Can I call to unlock?
It is not possible to just call and ask staff to read or open the PIN remotely. Useful phone to confirm counters, schedules and paperwork; Resetting still requires a card and at-the-counter verification or a qualified application–kiosk process.
My Number insurance card cannot be used, is it probably due to the PIN?
Unlikely. A locked 利用者証明用 PIN can affect some authentication operations, but errors can also come from certificates, readers, insurance registration or status data. Ask local and medical facilities according to the specific notice on the screen.
Just moved house, are you going to the old place or the new place?
Please contact the locality that is currently managing the 住民票. If the transfer procedure has not been completed or the card's address has not been updated, clearly state the status so they can guide you in the correct order of processing.
Do I need to apply for a new My Number card?
Usually not. PIN lock is handled by resetting the code. Only when the card is lost, damaged, expired, or has other problems that cannot be resolved, do re-issuance procedures need to be considered.
Checklist before leaving home
Determine which function reports an error and capture the error code if possible.
Stop trying to enter your PIN when you're not sure.
Check whether you still know the remaining electronic certificate PIN or not.
Select the appropriate local window or application–kiosk option.
Bring the original My Number card.
Bring additional valid identification documents according to local instructions.
Check reception hours, appointment schedule and counter location.
Prepare a new code that is safe but easy to remember.
If replacing, confirm the entire representation process in advance.
After resetting, try the correct function and store the code in a safe place.
In short, going to the My Number window where 住民票 is registered is the surest option and can be used for all 4 types of PIN. The combini option is faster but only applies to 2 electronic certificate PINs, provided you still know the remaining code, have a compatible phone and complete the kiosk on time. Determining the correct code type before leaving will help you avoid carrying missing documents or choosing the wrong handling method.