International marriage and naturalization

International marriage

This refers to marriage between Koreans and foreign nationals. Couples should have documents that prove the legality of their marriage regardless of whether their wedding ceremony is held in Korea or abroad (The document must be translated into Korean if it is written in foreign language). Both parties must have documentation regarding their families in order to prove that they have not married twice. For Koreans, this means a copy of the Korean person's family register (Hojeok). The foreign national will have to provide similar proof (documents need to be translated into Korean if written in a foreign language). Witnesses are required. It is necessary to get signatures from two Korean nationals who can prove that the couple's marriage is valid. You will be legally married under Korean law within three to four days after submitting all the required documents to the regional district office (or Gucheong) in your region.

Naturalization process

This is a process to acquire Korean citizenship for a foreigner married to a Korean national. A foreigner can get an F2-1 (Joining family) visa after marrying a Korean national through which he or she is granted one year of sojourn which can be extended from 1 year (min.) up to 2 years (max.). In accordance with the Korean Nationality Act amended in June 1998, a foreign national who has stayed in Korea for a continuous 2-year period after marriage and has applied for naturalization under the Ministry of Law can acquire Korean nationality after passing a relevant test. The new Korean national must forfeit his or her previous foreign citizenship within six months after acquiring Korean citizenship. Korea does not permit dual citizenship.

Citizenship of children

In accordance with the revised Nationality law, children can automatically acquire Korean citizenship even if only one parent has Korean citizenship. However, the child must choose one nationality before becoming 18 if their citizenship is not chosen earlier. Even if the father does not have Korean citizenship, the children shall receive education services and health insurance benefits without problems.

Reporting marriage and birth

Reports must be filed with the nearest immigration office if a Korean national in an international marriage acquires foreign citizenship based on the citizenship of the spouse or if a child is born to foreign national parents or in the case of the death of the child.

Submission period and necessary documents

• Report of birth: Report within 30 days of birth with parent's passport, birth certificate, 40,000 Won for government revenue stamp.
• Report of death: Report within 14 days of death with alien registration card, death certificate, 40,000 Won for government revenue stamp.
• Marriage : Bring passport, alien registration card and written description stating reason for the submission of the report, 40,000 Won for government revenue stamp.

Things to remember

• Required documents vary according to status of sojourn. Call before submitting the report.

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• Division : Local Autonomy Administration division in Local Autonomy Administration Bureau
• Contact : +82-62-613-2915 (2914)