To move your household registration (move-in registration), apply directly at the household registration office (戶政事務所) of your new destination without first visiting your original household registration office. Either the person moving or the head of household may apply, bringing the moving person's national ID card, personal seal or signature, the original household certificate (戶口名簿) of the destination, and the original household certificate of the previous address; under the Household Registration Act (戶籍法), application must be filed within 30 days after the event occurs, and failure to do so without valid reason is punishable by a fine of NT$300 to NT$900. If establishing an independent new household, proof of housing rights such as a property ownership certificate (權狀), house tax statement, or lease contract must also be provided.
Reminder: Applying for move-in registration without actually residing at the address constitutes intentionally making an untrue application, subject to a fine of NT$3,000 to NT$9,000 under Article 76 of the Household Registration Act. Deliberate registration for school districts, subsidies, or social insurance without residency carries legal risks. Required documents are subject to instructions from the Department of Household Registration, Ministry of the Interior (內政部) and destination household registration offices; for special circumstances, call the office in advance.
First Confirm Which Registration You Need to File
The Household Registration Act divides residential moves into 3 categories depending on distance and where to apply:
| Scenario | Registration Name | Where to Apply | Legal Basis |
|---|
| Moving from another township/city/district to reside for 3 months or more | Move-in registration (遷入登記) | Household registration office of destination | Household Registration Act Article 17; Department instructions |
| Moving address within same township/city/district to reside for 3 months or more | Address change registration (住址變更登記) | Household registration office of current registration | Household Registration Act Article 18; Department instructions |
| Moving out from previous address during domestic relocations | Move-out registration (遷出登記) | Completed directly at destination household office | Household Registration Act Article 26, item 6 |
| Departing the country for 2 years or more | Move-out (overseas) registration | Household office or online via Citizen Digital Certificate | Household Registration Act Article 16; online portal |
For example, moving from Da'an District in Taipei City to Banqiao District in New Taipei City requires applying for move-in registration at the Banqiao Household Registration Office; moving from one street to another within Da'an District requires address change registration at the Da'an Office. Document requirements for both are virtually identical.
Applying in Person or by Proxy: What to Bring
Under Article 41 of the Household Registration Act, migration registration is applied for by the person concerned or the head of household; whole-household relocations are filed by the head of household. Article 47 permits individuals unable to apply in person to authorize an agent in writing. Original documents specified by the Department of Household Registration are as follows:
| Who Applies | Documents to Bring | Photo Requirement |
|---|
| Applying in person | National ID card, seal or signature, original household certificate of destination, original household certificate of original address | Exempt if archived file photo matches current facial appearance and age |
| Head of household applying for whole household or members | Documents above, plus applicant's (head of household) ID card, seal or signature | Exempt |
| Authorized proxy | Documents above, plus power of attorney, proxy's ID card, seal or signature | Must attach 1 recent half-length color photo or digital photo taken within 2 years |
| Minors | Filed jointly by statutory agents or heads of household of both origins; single parent applying alone requires other parent's written consent | Exempt for children under 14 who have not received an ID card |
Applicants must simultaneously replace their national ID cards. Powers of attorney can be pre-filled via "Online Letter of Attorney or Consent Form" on the Department website or completed on-site. Documents executed overseas must be authenticated by ROC overseas missions; foreign-language documents must include authenticated or notarized Chinese translations.
Whose Household Are You Moving Into? Documents for 3 Scenarios
The most common requests for supplementary documents occur regarding whose household you are joining. The Department of Household Registration compilation table (amended February 21, 2022 / ROC year 111) categorizes these 3 scenarios:
1. Moving into Relatives' or Friends' Household as Household Member
Requirements listed are the national ID card and original household certificates of both departure and destination addresses. Under Article 56 of the Household Registration Act, household certificates are kept by the head of household, meaning the destination head of household must provide the certificate to you. Official rules do not specify a separate written consent form from the head of household, but without the physical household certificate, the registration cannot proceed.
2. Establishing an Independent Household in Property Owned by Self or Relatives
When moving into property owned by oneself, spouse, lineal blood relatives, or lineal relatives by marriage, submit one of the following: property ownership certificate (權狀), latest receipted house tax statement, purchase contract executed within the last 6 months, or other sufficient proof of ownership. The compilation also lists "building transcript (first category) within the last 3 months (requires owner consent)." If the applicant is the owner, they may sign a consent allowing the office to verify ownership through the land administration system. Alternatively, submit utility receipts for plumbing and electrical work (水電) or gas paid within the past 6 months by oneself or eligible relatives.
3. Renting and Establishing an Independent Household
Lease agreements notarized by a court or civil notary public may be used directly. For unnotarized leases, attach proof of ownership from the landlord, such as property ownership certificate (權狀), latest house tax statement, or sale contract within 6 months; in special circumstances, owner-signed photocopies noted "consistent with original" are acceptable, though the lease agreement must be inspected in original form. For landlord permissions and lease prohibitions regarding registration, refer to renting and household registration: can landlords prohibit it.
If none of these can be provided but actual residency exists, Department FAQs state that registration can proceed after verification of residency by police precinct officers or household registration staff. For gratuitous occupants without landlord consent, registration proceeds after residential verification, and the property owner is notified.
Deadlines, Fines and Official Fees
| Item | Statutory Rule | Legal Basis |
|---|
| When move-in must be filed | Moving from another township/city/district to reside for 3 months or more requires move-in registration | Household Registration Act Article 17 |
| Application deadline | Within 30 days after occurrence or determination; overdue applications are accepted and issued written reminders | Household Registration Act Article 48 |
| Overdue fine | Overdue without valid cause faces NT$300 to NT$900; failure to apply after reminder faces NT$900 | Household Registration Act Article 79 |
| Untrue application | Intentionally making untrue applications faces NT$3,000 to NT$9,000 | Household Registration Act Article 76 |
| ID card replacement | NT$50 per card (mandatory replacement when filing household registration) | Household Registration Fee Standards Article 3 |
| Household certificate | NT$30 per copy for initial issue, replacement, or renewal | Household Registration Fee Standards Article 4 |
Household registration fee standards (amended September 12, 2023 / ROC year 112) contain no separate fee for migration registration; out-of-pocket costs arise from mandatory ID replacement (NT$50) plus NT$30 if obtaining a new household certificate. Statutory fees are subject to on-site announcements.
How the 3-month residency requirement interacts with the 30-day deadline is not defined as a single statutory duration. We recommend registering promptly once moved in and committed to residing, avoiding reminder notices.
Can You Apply Online? Appointments and Powers of Attorney
Domestic move-in and address change registrations currently cannot be processed online and require an in-person counter visit. Under Article 27 of the Household Registration Act, online registration categories are designated by the Ministry of the Interior; as of October 31, 2026, the 22 online registration categories include overseas move-out, temporarily moving whole households to the office, birth, death, and change of household head, but omit domestic move-ins and address changes. Steps you can prepare beforehand:
- Reserve time slots via "Online Household Registration Appointment Service" on the Department website, subject to categories opened by each office.
- Prepare proxy documentation beforehand using "Online Fillable Letter of Attorney or Consent Form".
- Those departing Taiwan for 2 years or more can process overseas move-out online using a Citizen Digital Certificate. For certificate steps, see how to apply and renew Citizen Digital Certificates.
Household registration address is often a prerequisite for tax benefits and subsidies, such as self-use house tax rates and rent subsidies. Before moving, check House Tax 2.0 self-use rate rules and application and rent subsidy application eligibility and amounts to verify qualifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to return to my original household registration office to move out?
No. Under Article 26, item 6 of the Household Registration Act, domestic move-out registrations are filed directly at the destination household registration office. Bring original household certificates from both locations to the new office to complete the move in one visit.
Does moving into someone else's household require written consent from the head of household?
Department regulations require the original household certificate of the destination address rather than a separate written consent form. Because the head of household holds the certificate, providing it implies cooperation. Moving into public venues such as factories, shops, temples, or schools requires consent from the manager.
If a tenant moves away leaving their registration, can the landlord move them out?
Department FAQs clarify that registration reflects factual residency. If an entire tenant household moves away without a forwarding address, the property owner may apply under Article 50 of the Household Registration Act to temporarily transfer their registration to the household registration office, which can also be done online via Citizen Digital Certificate.
Will I be penalized immediately if I have moved for a long time without registering?
Article 79 provides for fines of NT$300 to NT$900 for unjustified delay, and NT$900 after reminder notices, adjudicated by the household registration office based on specific case circumstances.
Last updated: 2026-10-31
This article was compiled by SOSfix editors from public information for general reference only; for specific individual cases, contact your local household registration office (戶政事務所) or the Department of Household Registration, Ministry of the Interior.
Sources
- National laws and regulations database: Household Registration Act (amended January 21, 2015, verified 2026-10-31) (in Chinese): Articles 16–18 migration registration requirements, Article 26 item 6 destination office handling, Article 27 online registration scope, Article 41 applicants, Article 47 written authorization, Article 48 30-day deadline, Article 50 office temporary transfer, Article 56 custody of certificates, Article 76 untrue application fines, Article 79 overdue fines.
- National laws and regulations database: Enforcement Rules of the Household Registration Act (amended July 10, 2015, verified 2026-10-31) (in Chinese): Article 13 requiring original certificates for independent households, Article 21 inspecting original ID cards and household certificates.
- Department of Household Registration, Ministry of the Interior: Household registration application guide - move-in registration (verified 2026-10-31) (in Chinese): applicant scope, required documents, ID replacement and photo waiver rules, powers of attorney, minors, untrue application penalties of NT$3,000 to NT$9,000, destination office handling.
- Department of Household Registration, Ministry of the Interior: Household registration application guide - address change registration (verified 2026-10-31) (in Chinese): changing address within same district for 3 months or more, applying at current household office.
- Department of Household Registration, Ministry of the Interior: Compilation table of evidentiary documents for migration registration (amended February 21, 2022 / ROC year 111, verified 2026-10-31) (in Chinese): evidentiary documents by scenario, move-in to other households requiring certificates, building transcripts requiring owner consent, gratuitous occupancy verification and owner notice, land system checks.
- Department of Household Registration, Ministry of the Interior: FAQ Q06 Documents required for establishing independent household upon move-in (verified 2026-10-31) (in Chinese): self-owned and leased property documents, unnotarized leases requiring owner proof, certified copies, public venue consent, utility receipts.
- Department of Household Registration, Ministry of the Interior: FAQ Q04 Tenant moved out but household registration remains (verified 2026-10-31) (in Chinese): factual determination of residency, owner applying for office transfer, reminder procedures.
- Department of Household Registration, Ministry of the Interior: Online household registration application menu (viewed 2026-10-31) (in Chinese): menu of 22 online services omitting domestic move-ins and address changes, appointment services, online powers of attorney.
- Department of Household Registration, Ministry of the Interior: Guidelines for online temporary transfer of whole household registration to office (verified 2026-10-31) (in Chinese): owner application via Citizen Digital Certificate, whole household restriction without actual residency.
- National laws and regulations database: Household Registration Fee Standards (amended September 12, 2023 / ROC year 112, verified 2026-10-31) (in Chinese): Article 3 ID replacement fee NT$50, Article 4 household certificate NT$30, no separate migration fee.
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