How do I register a marriage when a Korean and a foreigner get married?

If a Korean and a foreigner marry in Korea, you must go in person to the city (district), town, or township office (시(구)·읍·면사무소) and submit a marriage report form. An agent cannot file it for you. There is no deadline for filing.

Documents you need

• Marriage report form (혼인신고서): available at the district office or community center (주민센터).
• Original certificate of eligibility to marry (혼인성립요건구비증명서) for the foreign spouse: get it from the authorities in the home country. For Chinese citizens, this is a certificate of single status (미혼증명서).
• Copy of the foreign spouse's passport or alien registration card (외국인등록증): to prove nationality.
• ID of each person filing: both of you need one.
• Signatures of 2 witnesses: they must be adults, and they sign on the marriage report form.
• If you already married abroad: a copy of the marriage certificate: submit it instead of the certificate of eligibility to marry.

Steps

1. Prepare the documents from the foreign spouse's home country. Some documents may need translation or an Apostille.
2. Fill in the marriage report form. Have 2 witnesses sign it.
3. Go to the office at the Korean spouse's registered domicile (등록기준지), or at the address or current location of either of you.
4. It is easiest if both of you go together to file.

💡 Good to know

• If the Korean lives abroad, you can also file at a Republic of Korea overseas mission (embassy or consulate) in that country, or at the overseas Korean family relations registration office (재외국민 가족관계등록사무소).
• If a minor is getting married, you also need a marriage consent form (혼인동의서).
• The office may refuse your report. The report is accepted only if nothing violates the law.
• The marriage immigration (F-6) visa is separate. Filing a marriage report does not automatically give you an F-6 visa. When you apply for the visa, the Korean spouse may need to complete an international marriage guidance program. This applies to spouses from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and Thailand. The certificate is valid for 5 years.

Required documents may differ a little by office. Call the office to check before you go. You can check visa procedures at HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreigner Helpline (외국인종합안내센터, 1345).