Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco

Reinstatement of Korean Nationality for Korean Adoptees

1. What is the Reinstatement of Korean Nationality?

 - It is for those who have lost their Korean nationality to re-obtain it.

A Korean who was born in Korea and immigrated to the U.S., he/she automatically loses his/her Korean nationality at the time he/she obtains U.S. citizenship. In other words, Korean adoptees who were naturalized to the U.S. citizen after the adoption lost their Korean citizenship the moment they obtained U.S. citizenship. Thus, the applicants for the reinstatement of Korean nationality must file a report for loss of Korean nationality with the application for the reinstatement in case they did not do the Korean nationality loss report. For further information about the report for loss of Korean nationality, please click here.

 - It is also possible to maintain your current nationality if you fall into one of followings:

① Korean adoptees who were adopted when they were under age

② Spouse of Korean citizens

③ over 65 years old (can be submitted to the immigration office in Korea only)

④ Individuals who obtain outstanding achievements (☞ For more details)

* The application for the reinstatement of Korean nationality can be submitted to the Korean Embassy/Consulate overseas of your country/state of residency or a local Korean Immigration Service office in Korea. *

** To visit our office, you always have to make an appointment. For how to make an appointment, please click here.

2. What documents do I need to prepare for the reinstatement of nationality?

 ① Application for Reinstatement of Korean Nationality (국적회복허가신청서, *Form attached)

 ② Statement on Identity (신원진술서, *Form attached)

 ③ Questionnaires for reinstatement of nationality (국적회복진술서, *Form attached)

 ④ Statement on Family relations (가족관계통보서, *Form attached, must be HAND WRITTEN, not typed and printed)

 ⑤ Original and a copy of Certificate of Naturalization (the original will be returned)

 ⑥ Original and a copy of Valid US passport

 ⑦ Proof of name change (if applicable):

   ※ Adoption document is acceptable if it states your old Korean name and the new name.

 ⑧ Korean family relationship certificate(가족관계증명서) and Basic certificate(기본증명서) issued within 3 months

   ※ You can apply for your Korean documents to our office as long as you have your Korean ID number(주민등록번호) or Permanent family registry address(본적주소). It costs $1.00/copy (cash or personal check only).

   ※ You can contact your adoption agency if you don't have the information of the Korean ID number(주민등록번호) or Permanent family registry address(본적주소) that you are registered with in Korea.

 ⑨ Fee $188 by cash or personal check

 ⑩ Apostilled FBI criminal background check

3. How long does it take?

  It takes 6 months to 1 year from the submission date.

The result will be sent to your email, and a ceremony will be held at the consulate office where you will be given the Certificate of Reinstatement.

4. What do I need to do after recovering my Korean nationality?

 ① You have to submit the "Declaration Not to Exercise Foreign Nationality in Korea" within 1 year from the approval date in order to maintain your original nationality. (외국국적불행사서약서, *Form attached)

You can submit it to one of the consulate offices with the form, your US passport, Certificate of Reinstatement, 1 photo, and $2(cash or personal check only). You can do it at the same day of your ceremony in our office.  

 ② After you submit the "Declaration Not to Exercise Foreign Nationality in Korea(외국국적불행사서약서), it takes 3~4 months for your Basic certificate(기본증명서) to reflect the nationality reinstatement. Once your Basic certificate(기본증명서) states the nationality reinstatement(국적회복), you can make your Korean passport.

 - For how to apply for a Basic certificate(기본증명서), please click here.

 - To make a Korean passport, you should bring your Basic certificate(기본증명서), valid U.S. passport, 1 photo(2' x 2') taken within 6 months (photo is optional as there is a photo booth in our office for Korean passport application.), and the fee ($50 for 26 pages / $53 for 58 pages). You must make an appointment prior to your visit. For how to make an appointment, please click here.

5. Things to remember as a dual citizen

 - You cannot exercise your foreign nationality in Korea, and always have to use Korean passport when entering Korea.

 - For the 3rd country, you can use any passport you want.

 - You are to do all the obligations that are imposed as a Korean.

If you have more questions, please contact our Nationality division at 415-921-2251 Ext. 1003 or sfkcg0404@mofa.go.kr