If a foreign national marries in Korea and files a marriage registration, the administrative authority will issue a Certificate of Acceptance.
What is a Certificate of Acceptance?
A certificate officially proving that a marriage report by a foreign national has been legally accepted and processed.
Under South Korean law, a marriage is only legally recognized once it is officially reported and registered with the government. Unlike some countries where a religious or ceremonial wedding creates a legal bond, Korea follows a civil registration system.
The marriage must be reported to the head of the relevant Si (city), Gu (district), Eup, or Myeon (township) office. In practice, the registration is typically filed at a city hall or district office.
Foreign couples who marry in Korea must report their marriage to the competent district or city office in order to officially record their marital status. Upon acceptance of the marriage report, the office issues a Certificate of Acceptance confirming that the marriage registration has been duly processed.
For foreign spouses who do not have a Korean Family Relations Register (가족관계등록부), this Certificate of Acceptance serves a function equivalent to a Marriage Certificate. Because a Korean Marriage Certificate (혼인관계증명서) is issued based on entries in the Family Relations Register, it cannot be issued to foreign nationals who are not registered in that system. Accordingly, the Certificate of Acceptance is the official document issued by the Korean government to certify their marriage.
- Acquisition or restoration of nationality
- Child nationality matters and birth registration
- International litigation or administrative proceedings
- Registration of family relations in the foreign spouse’s home country
- Overseas visa, permanent residency, or citizenship applications
- Overseas banking, insurance, pension, and inheritance procedures