Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago

Nationality Selection (Application for Dual Nationality through Foreign Nationality Non-Exercise Pledge)

1. Congential Dual National

 - (Born before 1998.6.14) A person who was born in the States to Korean Father(Korean national at the time of birth)

 - (Born after 1998.6.13) A person who was born in the States to Korean Parent(one of parents were Korean at the time of birth)

2. Eligibility

- A congential dual national can choose whether to have both US and Korean nationality by reporting nationality selection before turning 22 years old.

- (For male) 

Even after the age of 22, a person who has fulfilled his military service obligation can report his nationality selection within two years from the date of completion of his military service.

● If the above nationality selection period has passed, you can submit only renunciation.

※ However, until submitting renunciation, your Korean nationality cannot be automatically lost.

3. How to apply

In person only, mail report is not possible. (Please click here to make a reservation)
 - Over age 15: In person (Parents cannot apply instead)

 - Under age 15: Parents may apply on their behalf

※ If the parent(s) were Korean nationals in the past and acquired US citizenship without losing their nationality, they need to report their loss of nationality(국적상실신고) (Please click here). 

4. Exclusion criteria for maternity tourism

1) If the parent(s) were permanent residents or citizens or applied for them before and after the foreign birth
2) If the parent(s) resided in a foreign country for more than one year and six months after birth, or for more than two years before and after birth due to reasons such as overseas work, study abroad, etc.
3) If the mother resided in a foreign country for more than 10 months before birth

5. Required documents

1) Nationality selection(국적선택) application (form)
•  Submit one photo taken within the last 6 months (3.5cm x 4.5cm or 2inch x 2inch) attached to the application form

※ You must bring a printed photo as the consulate does not take pictures.

•  Date of acquisition of Korean nationality for dual nationality: Enter the date of birth on the family relationship certificate, check the reason for acquisition "birth"
•  Date of acquisition of foreign nationality for dual nationality: Enter the date of birth on the US birth certificate, check the reason for acquisition "birth"

2) Foreign Nationality Non-Execution Pledge(외국국적 불행사서약서) (form) 

•  Submit one photo taken within the last 6 months (3.5cm x 4.5cm or 2inch x 2inch) attached to the application form

3) Email Transmission Consent (Form)

4) Original and copy of the US birth certificate (issued by the county)

5) Original and copy of valid US passport copy

6) Original and copy of the Korean passport 1 copy (submit only if you have a valid Korean passport)

8) Basic certificate (detailed) and family relationship certificate (detailed) of the reporter 1 copy each (original issued within the last 3 months, disclosure of the last digit of the resident registration number)

9) Basic certificate (detailed) of both parents 1 copy each (original issued within the last 3 months, disclosure of the last digit of the resident registration number)

☞ Certificates 8~9) can also be issued at the consulate, and you can apply at the same time as you report your nationality selection. (The fee is $1 per copy in cash, and you need to know your place of origin and resident registration number to apply for the certificate. Please click here for certificate application information.)

 - If one of your parents were born abroad(out of Korea), you must submit his/her birth certificate or valid passport. 


10) Documents proving that you are not born from maternity tourism (choose one of the items ①, ②, ③)
① Original and copy of the parent(s)'s permanent residence or citizenship certificate
② Original and copy of the parent(s)'s permanent residence or citizenship application documents
③ Documents proving that the parent(s) resided abroad for more than two years before and after the child's birth due to overseas work, study abroad, etc.
(For example, diploma, transcript, certificate of employment, dispatch certificate, etc. or Korean passport and US visa at the time of stay in the US)

11) In case of a man who has completed his military service obligation, a military status certificate issued by the Military Manpower Administration or a resident registration transcript with the contents of military service exemption, original and copy (must be an original issued within 3 months)

[Reference] How to issue a military status certificate issued by the Military Manpower Administration

12) No fee

13) Return envelope, stamp (size does not matter)

We will send you the results by mail later.

5. Expected processing time and notes

1) Expected processing time: about 6 months

2) Reporter's visit required (15 years old or older) (In case of under 15 years old, legal representative (father or mother) visits and reports)

3) Only possible by visiting, mail report not possible

4) Reservation required when visiting (Please Click here to go to the reservation)

5) After processing the pledge, you can only enter Korea with your Korean passport

Passports: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-chicago-en/brd/m_27849/view.do?seq=2&page=1

If you have any further questions, please contact us at 312-822-9485 Ext.125

or chicagonat@mofa.go.kr anytime.