Proving your identity
Proving your identity in Korea requires an Alien Registration Card or passport.
What counts as ID
- Alien Registration Card — the fundamental one. Carry it at all times.
- Passport
- Driving licence issued in Korea
- Mobile ID — the scheme is expanding. Check whether you can obtain one.
When you need it
- Opening and using bank accounts — see bank-account
- Getting a phone connected — see mobile-phone
- Medical treatment and health insurance
- Government office business
- Buying alcohol and cigarettes
- Hotel check-in and contracts
- When police ask for identification
Online identity verification
Many internet services require identity verification.
- Mobile verification — the phone must be in your own name. See phone-verification.
- Joint certificate (formerly the accredited certificate) — issued by banks.
- Authentication apps such as PASS. See pass-app.
- If verification fails, visiting the organisation in person is the reliable route.
Where to go
- 1345 Immigration Contact Centre (Alien Registration Card)
- Your local community service centre
- Your telecom's customer centre (phone account name)
- 1577-1366 interpretation
Questions people ask
Must I really carry the card at all times? There is a duty to carry it. Take care not to lose it, and photograph it and save the image on your phone.
I lost my card. Apply for reissue. See lost-arc. Confirm the procedure with 1345.
Identity verification keeps failing. The phone may not be in your name, or the details may differ. Check with your carrier. See phone-verification.
I have only a passport, no Alien Registration Card. For a short stay, the passport is your ID. For a long stay without a card, ask 1345.
Take care
Never lend your ID or use someone else's. Identity misuse is a serious crime and you are the one punished. In particular, offers to "pay you for lending your bankbook or ID" are voice phishing crime. Never agree. See voice-phishing.
Related
alien-registration-card · phone-verification · pass-app · lost-arc · seal-registration
Source
Ministry of the Interior and Safety www.mois.go.kr / As of 2026-08