A child's acquisition of nationality
Korea follows the parents' nationality (jus sanguinis).
The basics
- If the father or mother was a Korean national at the time of birth, the child acquires Korean nationality at birth.
- If both parents are foreign, being born in Korea does not confer Korean nationality; the child follows the parents' countries.
- Even for a birth outside marriage, nationality can sometimes be acquired through acknowledgement of paternity.
When the child becomes a dual national
If the parents' country also grants its nationality, the child becomes a dual national and must choose a nationality by a certain age. See dual-nationality.
- There is a selection deadline.
- For boys it is tied to military service, making the deadline more critical.
- Once missed, it is hard to undo.
Steps
- Register the birth. See child-birth-registration.
- Confirm the child's nationality position — Korean only, or dual.
- If dual, check the selection deadline and put it in the calendar.
- File the nationality choice or renunciation in time.
Where to go
- Your local community service centre (birth report)
- 1345 Immigration Contact Centre (20 languages)
- The nationality section of your local immigration office
- Your country's embassy (its nationality rules)
- 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline
Questions people ask
Does being born in Korea grant Korean nationality automatically? No. One parent must be a Korean national. If both parents are foreign, the child does not acquire it.
The father is Korean but we never registered the marriage. Nationality can sometimes be acquired through acknowledgement of paternity. A DNA test may be required. Consult 1345 or a family centre.
Could my child end up stateless? Depending on the parents' countries' rules, yes. Register in both countries to avoid statelessness. Always check with the embassy.
When is the nationality selection deadline? It depends on the child's date of birth and sex. Confirm with 1345 and note it in your calendar.
Take care
A stateless child is blocked from a passport, medical care and education alike. As soon as the child is born, check both your embassy's procedure and the Korean one together.
Related
child-birth-registration · child-visa · dual-nationality · nationality-loss
Source
Nationality and Integration Policy Division, Ministry of Justice www.hikorea.go.kr / As of 2026-08