What info is needed to send money through western union

Who uses Western Union money transfer services?

Anyone who needs to send or receive money quickly uses Western Union. These include people supporting friends or relatives abroad and travelers who need to make fast, international transfers.

Who are Western Union® agents?

Western Union agent locations are independent businesses that provide money transfer services to their customers on behalf of Western Union. They are our representatives in the different countries you need to send or receive money, they may be banks, post offices, supermarkets, grocery stores, check cashers, mailbox centers, drug stores, travel agencies, depots, airports, train and bus stations, currency exchange offices, and other retailers.

How can I find a Western Union® agent location in Japan?

Finding an agent location in Japan is easy, just use our online agent locator tool.

How do I send money from an agent location?

You can visit an agent location directly to complete your money transfer in person. You will be asked to provide the following:

• Your receiver’s first name and surname.
• The exact amount you wish to send, plus the applicable fees.
• The country you are sending to.
• A valid government-issued ID. Please provide an acceptable ID document from the list below:

For Japanese nationals
- Japanese driving license.
- Passport (one of the below listed address verification documents is required). address verification document
- national tax, local tax, receipt of automobile tax (issued within six months)
- certificate of residence (issued within six months)
- certificate of registered seal (issued within six months).
- Individual Number Card (My Number card).

For foreign residents
- Valid Residence card.

For non-residents
- Passport.

You can also download the Western Union app from the App Store or the Google Play Store, and start a money transfer on the app and then complete it in person at an agent location.

Your money will be available in minutes to your receiver after the transfer is completed.

What documents can I use to send money in Japan?

You will need to present any valid government-issued photo ID, such as:

For Japanese residents (one of the following valid identification documents is acceptable:

a)     Individual My Number Card with photo

b)     Japanese Driver's License

c)     Passport (one of the below listed address verification documents is required). 

-     national tax, local tax, receipt of automobile tax (issued within six months)

-     certificate of residence (issued within six months)

-     certificate of registered seal (issued within six months).

For foreign residents:

a)     Valid Residence Card

For non-residents:

a)     Passport of native country

Acceptable My Number documents include:

a) Individual Number Card (My Number Card)
b) Certificate of Residence with your Individual Number (My Number), issued within 6 months.

Non-residents do not require an Individual Number. They only need to provide another identification document.

The acceptable ID is stipulated by Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds.

What documents can I use to send money in person in Japan?

You will need to present any valid government-issued photo ID, such as:

For Japanese residents (one of the following valid identification documents is acceptable:

a)     Individual My Number Card with photo

b)     Japanese Driver's License

c)     Passport (one of the below listed address verification documents is required). 

-     national tax, local tax, receipt of automobile tax (issued within six months)

-     certificate of residence (issued within six months)

-     certificate of registered seal (issued within six months).

For foreign residents:

a)     Valid Residence Card

For non-residents:

a)     Passport of native country

Acceptable My Number documents include:

a) Individual Number Card (My Number Card)
b) Certificate of Residence with your Individual Number (My Number), issued within 6 months.

Non-residents do not require an Individual Number. They only need to provide another identification document.

The acceptable ID is stipulated by Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds.

How much money can I send from a Western Union agent location in Japan?

You can send up to 1,000,000 JPY at an agent location in Japan. However, for some transfers, you may have to provide additional information or documentation.

How are money transfers paid out to receivers?

Money transfers can be paid in cash, directly into a receiver’s bank account, or into a mobile wallet (eWallet) in selected countries.

Other restrictions may apply. Please contact a Western Union agent to get more information about restrictions or you can call the Westernunion.com Customer Care at 0034-800-400-733 (toll-free from Japan) or +61-2-9226-9554 if calling from overseas. You can also send an email to for support in English, or to for support in Japanese.

How can I check the status of my money transfer?

You can track your money transfer online. All you need is the sender's name and the tracking number (MTCN – Money Transfer Control Number) printed on the receipt.

Can I send money at any time at an agent location?

Each Western Union agent location determines its own operating hours. Some have extended hours and some open during weekends. You can check the operating hours of a Western Union agent before visiting.