Korea records civil status in the family relations register, not in a consular register. Posts abroad receive reports of births, marriages and deaths and forward them to Korea, where the entry is made. The register then produces the certificates every other Korean procedure asks for.
Quick facts
For a child born in the United States to a Korean parent, the birth report is what creates the Korean identity. Without it the Korean authorities have no record of the child, even though the child is legally Korean from birth.
Fees breakdown
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth, marriage or death report | Free | Forwarded to Korea |
| Basic or family relations certificate | Small fee each | Also available online |
| U.S. certificate of the event | $15–$50 | County or state office |
| Korean translation | Per page | Usually prepared by the applicant |
| Passport after registration | Consular schedule | Separate application |
Reports themselves carry no fee. What costs money is the American certificate and, where required, the translation.
How to file
- Order the county-issued U.S. certificate of the event, in original.
- Prepare the Korean translation of the certificate and of the names as they will appear in the register.
- Complete the report form for that event.
- File at the post covering your address, with the Korean parent’s documents.
- Wait for the entry to be made in Korea, then request the certificates to confirm it.
- Apply for a Korean passport for the child only after the entry exists.
Required documents
- County-issued U.S. certificate of the event, original and a copy.
- Korean parent’s passport and identity document.
- Korean parent’s basic and family relations certificates.
- Translation of the U.S. certificate into Korean.
- Proof of address in the consular district.
- Marriage certificate of the parents where relevant.
Where to file
At the embassy or consulate general covering your address, which forwards the report to the competent office in Korea.
No offices currently listed.
Additional notes
An unreported birth does not erase nationality
A child of a Korean parent is Korean from birth whether or not the birth was reported. Not reporting hides the status rather than removing it, and it can surface later at immigration.
Names in the register
The Korean name entered in the register governs the romanisation on the passport. Choosing it carefully at the reporting stage avoids problems for decades.
Certificates online
Register certificates can be requested electronically, which removes the need to ask relatives in Korea to collect them.
Marriages
A marriage celebrated in the United States is reported so that it appears in the register, which is what updates status for family and inheritance matters.