That '-' at the End of Your ID Card Name: A Typo? ✏️

🧭 What Did the Notice Say?

HiKorea posted a notice explaining how names are written on the Alien Registration Card. A foreigner's name follows the passport standard of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It is based on the machine-readable zone (MRZ) on the personal information page of your home-country passport.

The name is written surname first, then given name, within 39 characters including spaces. The card has less room than a passport, so a name longer than one line is split across two lines. A hyphen is used when this happens 📄

🙋

Foreign resident

What is the standard for how the name is written?

Kevi

The machine-readable zone (MRZ) on the personal information page of your home-country passport is the standard. The surname and given name are written in that order, within 39 characters including spaces.

✂️ Why Is the Hyphen Added?

If the name doesn't fit on one line of the card, it moves to the second line. But if the line simply changes, it could be mistaken for a space. So a hyphen is added to mean "this name continues."

Let's look at the example from the notice. If the real name is SAMPLESAMPLE MUSLIMA, the first line is shown as SAMPLESAMPLE MUS- and the second line as LIMA. The key point is that the real name has no hyphen 💡

🙋

Foreign resident

If there is a hyphen, does that mean my name contains a hyphen?

Kevi

No. The hyphen is just a sign that a name too long for one line continues on the next. Your real name has no hyphen.

🔍 Where Can I See My Full Name?

Your full name is shown in the QR code on the front of the card and on the back. So when you need to verify your identity, you can refer to these.

If the name split across lines on the front confuses you, flip the card over and check the back first. When filling out documents, be careful not to write the hyphen in too 🙂

🙋

Foreign resident

How do I check my name when verifying my identity?

Kevi

Your full name is shown in the QR code on the front of the card and on the back. The notice says to refer to these when verifying your identity.

🏛️ How Is My Name Passed On to Other Organizations?

The Ministry of Justice said that when it provides a foreigner's personal information to outside organizations, it provides the real name without the hyphen. So even if you see a hyphen on your card, the name that gets passed on is not changed.

However, each organization may check names in a different way. For detailed standards, check the original notice or call 1345 😮

🙋

Foreign resident

Could the hyphen cause a disadvantage at a bank or another organization?

Kevi

The original notice does not mention any disadvantage caused by the hyphen. The Ministry of Justice says it provides the real name without a hyphen to outside organizations. If a problem comes up, check with 1345.

🪪 If You Want to Fix Your Name

This notice explains the way names are written. It does not include any procedure for asking to remove the hyphen. But it is a different story if your name has actually changed.

If your name, sex, date of birth, or nationality changes, you must file a report of change of alien registration details with the immigration office with jurisdiction (출입국·외국인관서) within 15 days from the day the reason arises. If you don't report, a fine may be imposed. For the change report, you need your passport, Alien Registration Card, the report form, and documents proving the change ✅

🙋

Foreign resident

What should I do if my name changes?

Kevi

You must file a report of change of alien registration details with the immigration office with jurisdiction within 15 days from the day the reason arises. Prepare your passport, Alien Registration Card, the report form, and proof documents.

✅ What to do now, step by step

1. 1Check the front of your Alien Registration Card to see whether your name has a line break and a hyphen.
2. 2Check your full name on the back of the card and in the QR code on the front.
3. 3On documents and application forms, leave out the hyphen and write the real name as it appears on your passport.
4. 4If your name has actually changed, file a change report at the immigration office with jurisdiction within 15 days.
5. 5If anything is unclear, read the original notice or check with 1345.