Birth Registration (Child of a Korean and a Foreigner / Both Parents Foreign)

At a glance

• If the father or mother is a Korean national at the time of birth, the child acquires Korean nationality at birth.
• The birth must be reported within 1 month after birth.
• Attach a birth certificate issued by a doctor or midwife to the report.
• If both parents are foreign, the child must obtain a status of stay within 90 days of birth.

Who must report

• For a child born in wedlock, the father or mother reports.
• For a child born out of wedlock, the mother reports.
• If the person obliged cannot report, a cohabiting relative, then the doctor, midwife or other person who assisted the delivery reports, in that order.
• A child of two foreign parents (except where both parents are unknown or stateless) does not acquire nationality by birth under the Nationality Act, so the grant of status of stay applies.

Where to report

• The report can be made at the registration base of the person concerned or the address or current location of the reporter, and also at the place of birth.
• A report concerning a foreigner can be made at the foreigner's place of residence or the address or current location of the reporter.
• For a child of two foreign parents, apply for the grant of status of stay at the competent immigration office. See the grant of status of stay guide on this site for details.

What to prepare

• Birth report form: the child's name, surname origin (bon), sex and registration base, date, time and place of birth, and the parents' details. If the father or mother is foreign, write their name, date of birth, nationality and alien registration number.
• A birth certificate issued by a doctor or midwife. If there is none, a document proving the birth issued by a competent Korean or foreign authority, etc. may be attached instead.
• If the child has multiple nationalities, state that fact and the foreign nationality acquired.
• The child's name must be written in Hangul or commonly used Chinese characters.
• An identity document must be shown in cases such as when the person concerned does not appear in person.

Cost

• Check any cost for the birth report itself with the competent city, district, eup, myeon or dong office.
• A person who objects to a fine may file an objection with the head of the city, eup or myeon within 30 days.

Procedure

• First, get the birth certificate from the hospital. The head of the medical institution submits the birth information to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service within 14 days of birth.
• Next, submit the birth report form and birth certificate to the city, district, eup, myeon or dong office within 1 month after birth.
• If no report is made after the period, the head of the city, eup or myeon demands that the person obliged report within 7 days, and if there is still no report, records the birth ex officio with court permission.
• If both parents are foreign, apply for the grant of status of stay at the competent immigration office within 90 days of birth.

Common sticking points

• The period is 1 month after birth. It differs from the 90-day deadline for the grant of status of stay.
• If the father is foreign, the child may take the mother's surname and bon.
• For a child born out of wedlock, the mother is obliged to report.
• Even without a Korean parent, a person born in Korea whose parents are both unknown or stateless acquires Korean nationality.

This guide is general information and does not assess any individual case. Laws and fees can change, so check the original text via the official links and with the competent office.