Register a marriage with a Korean citizen 국제 혼인신고

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1. 1

   Get the certificate of marriage eligibility

   The other partyBefore you file

   The foreign spouse needs two kinds of paper: (1) proof of who you are under your own country's law, such as a birth certificate, passport copy or family register; and (2) a document from an official body of your country, such as your embassy, saying you meet the conditions to marry. This is the 혼인요건구비증명서. Each country issues it differently, so ask your embassy in Korea.

   • Ask your embassy in Korea what they issue and what you must bring
   • If your country has no such paper, ask the embassy about a sworn statement made before a consul
   • Bring your passport or Residence Card (외국인등록증) as proof of nationality

   !Some countries have special papers. For example, for a Chinese citizen the office asks for a certificate of being unmarried (미혼증명서).

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2. 2

   Translate documents into Korean

   You do thisBefore you file

   If a document is in a foreign language, the report must come with a Korean translation. Do this before you go to the office so you are not sent away.

   • Translate the certificate and any proof documents
   • Ask the office whether they want the translator's details or stamp

   !Check with the office about what kind of translation they accept.

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3. 3

   File the marriage report

   You do thisAny time. There is no deadline for a marriage filed in Korea

   The marriage becomes legal when the report is accepted. Both of you, plus 2 adult witnesses, sign the report. File at the city, district or town office (시·구·읍·면사무소) where the Korean spouse's family register is kept, or where either of you lives or is currently staying. The report is a form (혼인신고서) that both spouses sign.

   • Bring the marriage report form with both spouses' signatures and 2 adult witnesses' signatures
   • Bring ID for both: the foreign spouse's passport or Residence Card, and the Korean spouse's ID
   • Bring the certificate of marriage eligibility, proof of nationality (a copy of your passport or Residence Card), and the Korean translation
   • The Korean spouse's family certificates may be needed, but the office can skip them if it can check them itself

   !Filing by mail is allowed only with notarized signatures or seal certificates for everyone filing. Ask the office first.

   Mark this step as doneEasy Law: marriage report procedure ↗
4. 4

   Apply for the F-6 marriage migrant status

   The agency does thisAfter you marry

   A foreigner who married a Korean in Korea can apply to change their current residence status to Marriage Migrant (F-6, 결혼이민). Those who married abroad usually enter Korea directly on an F-6 visa, so they do not need to change status. F-6 has no limit on work, and after 2 years or more in Korea on F-6 you can apply for Permanent Resident (F-5).

   • Ask 1345 or the immigration office which documents and fee you need for the status change
   • If your spouse must invite you from abroad, ask about the international marriage guidance program and the income conditions

   !Required documents and screening for F-6 are not covered here. Check on HiKorea or call 1345.

   Mark this step as doneEasy Law: residence status through marriage ↗

Documents checklist

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0 of 4 documents ready

• Marriage report form (혼인신고서), signed by both spouses and 2 adult witnessesCity, district or town office, or Government24
• IDs: foreign spouse's passport or Residence Card, Korean spouse's IDYourselves
• Certificate of marriage eligibility (혼인요건구비증명서) and proof of nationality (passport or Residence Card copy)Your embassy in Korea or the issuing authority in your country
• Korean translation of any foreign-language documentA translator

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