Preparation for High School Parents to Avoid Stress with Online Passport Applications

Once they reach high school, opportunities for students to use passports increase significantly due to school trips, language training, and short-term study abroad programs. Since both children and parents are busy, let's make use of online applications for high school passports.

I am an administrative scrivener. I am a professional at creating documents to be submitted to government offices. Therefore, I really want to say, "Passport applications are a breeze."

……However, I struggled significantly with the online application. The cause was neglecting to check the necessary preparations.

That is precisely why I believe there are things I can share from my own experience. I will share important points so that busy parents do not stumble when obtaining their child's passport.

And I want to convey that it is natural for anyone to not have things go smoothly the first time. Please do your best until the application is complete!

Benefits of Online Passport Application

First, I assume that you have a My Number Card and have installed the Myna Portal app on your smartphone.

There are three main benefits to applying for a passport online.
1. Flexibility: You can apply anytime, regardless of the time or day of the week. 2. Cost savings: The fee is 400 yen cheaper. Transportation costs and the cost of obtaining a family register are unnecessary. 3. Time savings: You only need to go to the counter once to pick up the passport.

In other words, you can save time and money!

Stumbling Point 1: 15-year-olds and older can apply themselves, but...

It is often thought that you cannot apply by yourself until you become an adult (18 years old), but those aged 15 to 17 can apply online using their own My Number Card even as minors. In that case, a consent form from a person with parental authority is required.

As a life lesson, I think it is really good to let the child do it all themselves. At first, I told my son, "Let's try doing it yourself," and I watched over him as he proceeded with the input. Thinking, "Oh, this seems like it will work," we finally reached the final step.

The obstacle that stood in our way at the very end was my son's password for the electronic signature certificate (6-16 digits). Since the applicant uses their own electronic signature for personal applications, you cannot proceed without this.

My son made his My Number Card when he was in elementary school. I assumed, "He won't need that now," and only properly organized the password settings for my own, not his. Because I skipped that "little extra effort" back then, it is difficult now. I keenly felt that for administrative procedures, it is important to have everything prepared for every family member without exception.

Children really grow up fast. In the blink of an eye, elementary school students become high school students. The necessary procedures and the situations in which they are used change all at once.

Stumbling Point 2: Parents can apply by proxy, but...

If a personal application is impossible, I thought I would just apply as a proxy as the legal representative. I switched to that.

However, the next pitfall was the identification code for providing the electronic family register certificate (16 digits).

I had assumed that "online means no need to go get a family register = no preparation needed." But in reality, instead of going to get a paper family register, I needed the advance preparation of "obtaining a 16-digit code" on the Myna Portal.

In the end, I stopped here again. I went back to the home screen, applied for the electronic family register certificate provision code, and waited 30 minutes. It felt like I was "back to square one."

Stumbling Point 3: You might want to go back to applying at the counter

Administrative procedures are becoming increasingly digitized and moved online. Even though I know this intellectually, and even as an administrative scrivener, the moment I hit a snag, I thought:

“Wouldn't it be faster to just fill out the paperwork by hand and go to the office?”

This thought comes up especially when I'm busy. I was the same way. But once I calmed down and got organized, I realized that online is definitely the way to go. For families who find it hard to get things done on weekdays, the value of online applications is significant.

Flow of Online Passport Application (as of March 1, 2026)

Points to Note for Minors Aged 15 and Older

Even if the application is done by a proxy, the final pickup must be done by the applicant in person. Since it must be done within 6 months of the issuance date, it is safer to secure a date in advance (generally weekdays only, though some offices offer Sunday service).

Preparation 1: Check the Expiration Date of the My Number Card (Crucial!)

For My Number Cards, the expiration date of the card itself and the electronic certificate are different. If the electronic certificate has expired, you cannot perform online procedures.

Note that while the expiration date for a parent's My Number Card is 'until the 10th birthday after the date of issue,' the electronic certificate is 'until the 5th birthday after the date of issue'! Also, cards made for elementary school students have an expiration date of '

until the 5th birthday after the date of issue,' so they are likely to expire around the time they become high school students. This is the pitfall of 'elementary school students becoming high school students in the blink of an eye!'

Preparation 2: Obtain the 16-digit Identification Code for Providing the Family Register Electronic Certificate

Apply for the 'Identification Code for Providing the Family Register Electronic Certificate' via the parent's Myna Portal. Since it has a validity period of 3 months, proceed with the application soon after obtaining it.

Preparation 3: Set Up a Proxy

Set up the 'Proxy (Parent)' on either the parent's or the child's Myna Portal.

Preparation 4: Prepare the Child's Face Photo and Signature

Take a photo of the applicant's face with your smartphone and save it. Also, have your child sign their full name on a white piece of paper for the signature application. You will take a photo of it with your smartphone during the process.

Preparation 5: Look Up the Registered Domicile

If you do not know the registered domicile, get a copy of the resident record at a convenience store. The registered domicile is not written on driver's licenses or My Number Cards.

Finally, the Application Process: Parent Applies as a Proxy

・Parent logs into their own Myna Portal
・Select the child under 'Use as a Proxy'
・Go to 'Apply for Government Procedures' -> 'Passport Application'
・Enter necessary information (registered domicile, etc.) and attach files (photos taken with a smartphone can also be used)
・Sign electronically with the parent's My Number Card and submit
This flow is the standard.

Correction Handling and Pickup After Application

・If there are any deficiencies, you may receive a request for correction. Make sure not to overlook the notification.
・Pickup must be done by the applicant in person at the office. This is the final hurdle, so secure a date early.

Online applications are a busy person's best friend

To all busy parents: I want to tell you, 'Just try doing it online once.'

You can also hire an administrative scrivener to handle passport applications. Depending on your situation, that may be the best option.

However, I especially want busy parents to try the online application process at least once. Once you get used to it, it becomes easier next time. You will have the peace of mind of knowing you can do it yourself for your younger children, for renewals, or if you suddenly need one in a hurry.

This is what I realized after stumbling through it this time:
"Administrative procedures are 90% preparation!"

Finally, what I want to say is that it is completely normal to feel confused by the process. Government procedures are truly a hassle, aren't they?

I am rooting for all the parents who are preparing for their children's future while managing their own busy daily lives.As long as you have everything prepared, the online application process will be a reliable ally. Don't be afraid—just give it a try!