Getting Married in Korea
As much as we wish to provide a guide for non-Korean women who are intending to marry their Korean fiances in Korea, we are not, however, in a position to give a legal advise on the matter. Various countries have different procedures in matters of marriage application and registration, and it is, therefore, recommended that you consult your respective embassy, and at the same time, ask your fiance to inquire at the nearest gu/dong office in his area of residence..
The embassy has the authority to issue a checklist of all the documents needed certifying your eligibility to get married. Their advice is usually consistent with the policy of the gu/dong office.
Registering your Marriage
Once the marriage is completed, present all the documents back to your embassy for registration in your country of origin. The same documents are needed to register your marriage in Korea. Registration of marriage in Korea is done at the gu/dong office.
Proof that your marriage has been registered in Korea, and therefore legitimate, is indicated at your husband's family record showing your name as your husband's spouse. In Korean, the record is called Hojeukdeungbon (호적등본) or Jumindeungbon (주민등본).
The first type, Hojeukdeungbon, contains records of all members of your Korean spouse including his father, mother, and siblings with their respective birth dates and places of residence. Married sisters are crossed off the record while brothers remain as permanent family members. Wives of male members are added in the record. Culturally speaking, this type is referred to as your father-in-law's family registration.
Jumindeungbon, on the other hand, is your exclusive and core family record indicating only your spouse and you, plus your children, if there's any. This type is also referred to as your husband's family registration. Take note that Korea still maintains a patriarchal family system.
Contact your embassy at the Directory; and for more information on Korean legal procedures, call:
The Immigration Bureau of the Ministry of Justice at 02-503-7103 or e-mail: immi_moj@moj.go.kr or
The Office of Public Information 02-503-7011 or e-mail: ub112@moj.go.kr
Comment/s from our members:
Hi, I have just discovered your site and am quite happy. Congratulations on a job well done!
In your marriage procedures page, you indicate we need to register our marriage with the appropriate gu office which is in fact true, however, it was suggested to us (by the Canadian Embassy) to register at the Jongno-gu office in Seoul who then sends the information to the appropriate gu (in Seoul). Furthermore, the forms were in both languages and there is a wicket completely dedicated to such a purpose. I hope this helps.
I look forward to meeting others like us,
Melana and Sang Woo
(E-mail your comment/s to:isakorea_contact@yahoo.com)
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Marriage Procedures