Registering a child's birth (foreign parents)
A birth must be registered within the deadline.
It depends on the parents
- One parent is a Korean national — file the birth report at your local community service centre or on Gov24. The child acquires Korean nationality. See child-nationality.
- Both parents are foreign — the birth is not entered in Korea's family relation register, so you register the birth at your embassy or consulate. The child then needs a residence status and alien registration. See arc-for-children.
What to get from the hospital
- The birth certificate — keep it safe. It is the starting point for everything.
- Prepare translation and consular certification if required.
Steps (both parents foreign)
- Get the birth certificate from the hospital.
- Register the birth at your embassy and obtain the child's passport.
- Apply for the child's residence status at an immigration office. There is a deadline.
- Complete alien registration.
- Enrol in health insurance and other necessary schemes.
Where to go
- Your local community service centre · Gov24 www.gov.kr (Korean parent)
- Your embassy or consulate (foreign parents) — Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.mofa.go.kr
- 1345 Immigration Contact Centre (residence status)
- 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline (interpretation)
- Your nearest family centre
Questions people ask
What if I register late? There may be a fine, and everything else for the child — residence, medical care, childcare — is delayed. Do it as soon as possible.
We are undocumented parents. Registering the birth is the child's right. Consult 1577-1366 or a migrant support organisation first. There are routes to help.
We never registered the marriage, but the father is Korean. Through acknowledgement of paternity and similar procedures the child may acquire Korean nationality. Consult 1345 or a family centre.
The embassy is far away. Ask whether postal or proxy filing is possible. See embassy-contacts.
Take care
Keep the original birth certificate. You will need it repeatedly for nationality, passport, residence status and school enrolment. If lost, you must ask the hospital about reissue.
Related
child-nationality · child-visa · arc-for-children · embassy-contacts · birth-support
Source
Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Gov24 www.gov.kr / As of 2026-08