I just moved from Chung-Ho to Taipei City. I want to know which police station I need to go to. Do I go back to Banqiao or to the one in Hsimending to change the address on my ARC? And what do I need to bring? I know my passport and ARC are mandatory, but because I moved in with my in-laws, so the lease isn’t under my name. What should I bring as proof of residency? The last time I moved within Chung-Ho I just brought a copy of my phone bill with my new address on it and they changed it on my ARC without any hassle. But I hear Taipei City is more strict. What should I do?
Thanks for any replies in advance.
I just did this last week.
Go to Hsimending.
Brought passport, ARC, phonebill with address.
That’s all that was needed.
You’ll have to fill out a page-long form with lots of random info.
Quite a waste of time just to change your address.
Thanks, I’ll go on Wednesday to do it. Thanks for the info.
When I first got my ARC (in Chungho) they didn’t want any proof of address at all. I just “wrote it down”. But when I moved, they insisted on getting the lease docs - no other proof would do. (I had moved about 100m down the road, so still in Chungho.)
I think the first time I had showed “goodwill” and a willingness to fit into society by bringing huge amounts of unnecessary paperwork. They rewarded me by not looking at any of it.
When I moved, I went with nothing except my ARC and the form. This made them nervous. They insisted on photocopying (much to her annoyance) the ID of my Taiwanese friend who had come with me. But they still required me to come back the next day with the lease (which I had), whereupon they also took a note of the ID number of the TW person that was with me then (a different one this time). They complained to this friend that my previous friend hadn’t properly prepared me the first time. I think they phoned my landlady to check the lease was real.
I would take anything you’ve got … but suspect Taipei City is better than Taipei County (ie Banciao). If all else fails take one of your in-laws along with their ID. Nothing better than a real Taiwanese signing something.
I’ll hope that I get by the easy way at the Hsimending police station. But you are right it depends on how you approach them. I’m always smiling and really nice and polite when I go to the police station, making sure to say hi and thank you. I’ve never had any problems at the Banqiao police station. I’m kinda sad to have to go to the Taipei one. I’ve been going to the Banqiao station for the past 5 years now, the guys actually remember me every time I go there. They always ask me for help with their English. I’ll post back with the results after Wednesday.
Are you married to a citizen? If so, you should be listed in the comments section of your wife’s household registration which can be used to prove your residency. I’ve never had to show a lease or utility bill, just the household registration paper.
When changing your ARC address from one locale to another, you can do it at either the offices of the new or the old area.
Brian
Went to the Foreign police station in Hsimen today. Brought everything, they just wanted to see my household regsitry since I was married to a Taiwanese citizen. Was in and out in less than 10 minutes. The only crappy thing is that you have to fill out that long form just to change your address. BTW, make sure you photocopy your forms in advance to avoid having to line-up again. I was lucky that I went early in the morning (almost no one there) so he asked me to run copies while he waited for me.