How to Obtain a South Korean Birth Certificate

      Korean birth certificates are called family registers (hojeok deungbon).

A typical Korean birth certificate contains your first, middle, and last name, maiden name (if you married and changed your last name), sex (gender – male or female, or boy or girl), your father’s and mother’s name, date of birth, place of birth, name of issuing agency and place of registration, name and title of signing officer. 

      Some Korean birth certificates may have additional information and data such as: nationality, ages, and professions of father and mother, paternal and maternal grandfather and grandmother information, addresses (residences) of father, mother, and grandparents. 

Where to obtain?

    The family relation register is filed at the city division or ward where a family lives. With a little preparation, you can obtain a copy of the certificate. 

How to obtain?

• 1

Determine the city division or ward in South Korea where the family is registered. The city of Seoul is divided into 25 wards or administrative divisions. The ward is determined by the area of Seoul in which the family resides.

• 2

Obtain the mailing address for the specific ward by contacting the Korean Embassy or your local Korean Consulate. You can find the contact information for your local Korean Consulate by visiting Dynamic-Korea.com and clicking on the link for consulate service.

• 3

Write a request to the ward for a copy of the family relation register. As of 2010, processing fees for the family relation register are $3 USD. Your request must be in Chinese or Korean and include the name of the family's head of household and permanent Korean address. If you do not speak Chinese or Korean, seek the help of a professional translation service, such as the KIN Translation Group, which specializes in Korean translation. Language school professors might also be willing to assist you.

Who issues birth certificates in Korean language?

      Family Census Registers are authorized to issue birth certificates, marriage certificates, and similar civil registration documents.

Must have  “certified" English translation of Korean birth certificate in original copy.

       The Family Census Register must have a  “certified translation” of Korean birth certificate by a third-party, independent translation agency in original format. They do not accept photocopies or electronic copies.