This Act has the purpose of establishing the system of the basic resident register, under which records concerning residents are kept accurately and in a unified manner, in order to serve, in a municipality (including a special ward; the same applies hereinafter), as the basis for the certification of the relationship of residence of residents, the registration of the pollbook, and other processing of affairs concerning residents, and to simplify notifications, etc. concerning the addresses of residents, while also ensuring the proper management of records concerning residents, thereby increasing the convenience of residents and contributing to the rationalization of the administration of the State and local public entities.
この法律は、市町村（特別区を含む。以下同じ。）において、住民の居住関係の公証、選挙人名簿の登録その他の住民に関する事務の処理の基礎とするとともに住民の住所に関する届出等の簡素化を図り、あわせて住民に関する記録の適正な管理を図るため、住民に関する記録を正確かつ統一的に行う住民基本台帳の制度を定め、もつて住民の利便を増進するとともに、国及び地方公共団体の行政の合理化に資することを目的とする。