Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA

Starting September 25, 2012, family relation related applications submitted at foreign missions will be scanned and submitted via certified email to reduce processing time for applicants overseas.

※ [Application submitted at a foreign mission] → [Scanned & sent via certified e-mail] → [Reviewed by Supreme Court] → [Certificate sent to Consulate] → [Issue to the applicant]

 1. Jurisdiction Check

   (based on your residence)

 Consulate General in your jurisdiction

 (For all inquiries & application processes)

※Our jurisdiction: DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia

 2. Apply in person

※Consulate General in DC 

ONLY ACCEPTS IN-PERSON APPLICATION

 Online Reservation(link) (Required)

▵Select [Family] → [Certification of Family Relations]

※ Senior hour: if the applicant is 65 or older, visit 

between 1:00pm~2:30pm without an appointment 

(please bring your ID card)

      3. List of Applicable Documents

1. Certificate of Family Relation (가족관계증명서)

2. Certificate of Identification (기본증명서)

3. Marriage Certificate (혼인증명서)

4. Adoption Relation Certificate (입양관계증명서)

5. Full Adoption Relation Certificate (친양자입양관계증명서)

9. Certified or Abridged Copy of Archived Family Register

   (종전 호적법에 따른 제적 등본 또는 제적 초본)

□ Required Documents 

1. If the applicant is self, spouse, or direct family member:

- [Attachment 1] Application form for certificates from Family Relation Registration.pdf

- Valid ID (passport, driver's license, or resident registration card) of both the registrant and the applicant: original & copy

2. If the applicant is not a direct family member:

- [Attachment 1] Application form for certificates from Family Relation Registration.pdf

- [Attachment 2]  Power of Attorney(Court form).pdf

- Valid ID of the registrant: original & copy

- Valid ID of the representative: original & copy

※ U.S. citizens are asked to bring old Korean IDs (previous Korean passport, Certified Copy of Archived Family Register(Ho-jeok), etc.), proof of name change if you’ve changed your name, and Marriage Certificate issued in the U.S. if applicable in addition to U.S. passport and ID.

□ Important Notes

- All applications must be submitted in person

- Processing time: 7-10 days

- In-person pickup: no reservation necessary for pick up

- For mail delivery: Bring postage for Priority Mail(price check)

※ We only send via Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope, which is traceable

 (Regular mail is not used due to frequent delays and losses)

- Fee: $1 per copy (cash only)

- The applicant’s name, Place of Registration(used instead of Ho-jeok), and Resident Registration Number must be filled in correctly.

※ If the applicant is an overseas Korean who has never given a Resident Registration Number, Place of Registration is required

※ If the applicant does not know his/her Place of Registration, the requested certificate can only be issued in Korea

- In order to issue Certified or Abridged Copy of Archived Family Register, you must provide an accurate Legal Domicile(Ho-jeok) and the name of the head of the household

- Invalid IDs(expired, etc.) will be rejected by the Supreme Court

- Unclear or blurry ID copies will be rejected by the Supreme Court

- Direct family member(related by blood) include parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren (in-laws are not considered since they’re related by marriage, not blood)

※ On June 30, 2016, the Constitutional Court of Korea ruled that the main text of Article 14, Paragraph 1 on the Act on Registration of Family Relations on “brothers and sisters” was unconstitutional (2015 Heonma 924), and therefore, brothers and sisters and their representatives cannot request a certificate for each registered item

- Certificates that have been issued 6 months(and over) will be disposed

※ Article 14, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Registration of Family Relations (2015 Heonma 924) states that although the purpose of the legal provision in this case is acknowledged to be justifiable and the means appropriate, the scope of those entitled to request issuance of certificates should be reduced as much as possible because the personal information recorded in various certificates under the Act on Registration of Family Relations would be greatly damaged if leaked or misused, and thus siblings and their representatives cannot request issuance of certificates for each registered item

□ Additional Notes

- In accordance with the Supreme Court Registration of Family Relations No. 356 and 404, Certificates of Family Relation can only be issued in Korean. If an English translation is required, a translator can visit the Consulate office in person with Korean and English translations of the Certificate of Family Relation and translator’s ID(valid passport, U.S. visa, permanent resident card, or driver’s license), then submit after getting a legalization from the Consul

※ Sample for English translation for certificates of Family Relation is available at the following link: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-ko/brd/m_4485/view.do?seq=1260142&page=1

- For reference, many U.S. agencies do not require consular authentication (legalization from the consul) of translations on certificates of Family Relation. Therefore, in cases where consular authentication is not required, the translator can use the translation with only a notary public without visiting the consulate office. Also, please note that U.S. agencies may require certificates on Family Relation that Korean consulate issues to be translated into English, notarized, and then submitted with an apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (consulate office), as the Apostille Convention came into effect on January 1st, 2010.

※ For more information on apostille issuance in Korea, visit https://www.g4k.go.kr or contact the Overseas Koreans 365 Call Center at +82 2-6747-0404.

- The Supreme Court opened the “Family Register Office for Overseas Korean” website on November 1, 2016, to provide information on Family Relation Registration and issuance of certificates for each registered item from Family Relationship Registration for the convenience of overseas nationals

- The Overseas Korean Family Relations Registration Office website provides information, various forms, and samples needed for overseas Koreans to report or apply for certificates from Family Relation  Registration (http://efamily.scourt.go.kr)

- Notarial service for English translation of certificates from Family Relation Registration will be carried out as before by the consulate office.

- For Korean nationals, online apostille issuance is done by the applicant at the e-Apostille website. If you do not have a Recognized Common Certificate, please apply for one at the consulate office.