If you are a Korean citizen or a person of Korean descent living abroad, there may come a time when you need to obtain an official certificate from Korea — such as a family relation certificate (가족관계증명서), birth certificate (출생증명서), or marriage certificate (혼인관계증명서). These documents are often required for visa applications, marriage registration, inheritance cases, citizenship matters, or overseas legal proceedings.
Fortunately, even if you’re living outside Korea, there are several official ways to obtain Korean civil documents from abroad, through online government platforms, Korean embassies and consulates, and local notarization services.
In this blog post, we break down all the possible routes to access these certificates — based on your location, situation, and whether you hold a Korean resident registration number (주민등록번호).
Who Can Request Korean Certificates from Overseas?
You can usually request these certificates if you fall into one of the following categories:
A Korean national living abroad
A foreign national who is married to a Korean spouse
A child of Korean parents applying for citizenship or visas
A legal representative (lawyer or family member) with the right documents
To use most services, you will need the subject’s Korean resident registration number, and in some cases, a Korean mobile phone number for identity verification. If you do not have one, a family member or legal agent in Korea may need to help you.
Option 1: Government24 – Korea’s Online Government Portal
Government24 (정부24) is Korea’s official online portal for civil services. You can apply for family relation, birth, and marriage certificates entirely online, and request that they be issued in either Korean or English.
Requirements:
A Korean citizen with a valid resident registration number
Access to mobile phone authentication or Korean digital certificate (공동인증서)
Korean-speaking ability or someone to assist you through the Korean interface
How to Request:
Go to www.gov.kr
Search for the certificate you need:
가족관계증명서 (Family Relation Certificate)
기본증명서 (Basic Certificate)
혼인관계증명서 (Marriage Relation Certificate)
Log in with your digital authentication method
Choose whether to issue the certificate in Korean or English
Select email/PDF delivery or issue a printable file
You can download most documents instantly in PDF format. Note that digital certificates are considered valid if printed with a verification barcode.
Limitations:
This service is only available to Korean citizens or those registered in the family registry
You must complete identity verification with a Korean phone number or digital ID
Website is primarily in Korean; no full English interface
Option 2: Korean Embassy or Consulate (Offline)
If you cannot access Government24, the next most reliable option is to visit a Korean embassy or consulate in your country.
Services offered:
Issuing Korean family, birth, and marriage certificates on your behalf
Verifying document authenticity and apostille services
Translating and notarizing Korean certificates if required by local authorities
Providing assistance in English, depending on the consulate
How to Apply:
Locate your nearest Korean embassy or consulate through the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs site
Visit or call the consulate to check what documents they require
Usually, you will need:
Your passport or Korean ID
Korean resident registration number of the certificate subject
Application form (available at the consulate or online)
Fee payment (varies by country)
Wait time may range from 3 to 7 business days
Some embassies allow email applications, but most will require in-person visits for identity verification.
Option 3: Through a Proxy or Legal Representative in Korea
If you are unable to access the portal and cannot visit a consulate, you may designate a family member or lawyer in Korea to retrieve your certificates on your behalf.
Process:
Write a Power of Attorney (위임장) with your signature and copy of your ID/passport
The representative in Korea visits the local community center (주민센터) or district office (구청)
They present the documents and request the relevant certificates
The physical copies can be scanned or couriered to your overseas address
This method is particularly useful when you need documents with a physical seal or if you require apostille notarization for use in foreign courts or immigration offices.
Option 4: Apostille and Legalization Services (For Legal Use Abroad)
Some countries require apostilled or legalized Korean documents for them to be officially accepted in courts or government processes.
If you obtained your certificate through Government24 or a Korean district office, you can request an apostille through:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Korea Apostille Center
Korean notary offices with public certification (공증사무소)
If you’re overseas, the Korean embassy may be able to issue the certificate and forward it to Korea for apostille processing — but this may take several weeks.
Certificates You Can Typically Request
가족관계증명서 (Family Relation Certificate)
Lists your parents, spouse, children, and legal family status
출생증명서 (Birth Certificate)
Issued as a form of Basic Certificate (기본증명서) with birth info
혼인관계증명서 (Marriage Certificate)
Proves current and past marital status
기본증명서 (Basic Certificate)
Shows identity history including birth, name changes, nationality
입양관계증명서 (Adoption Certificate)
For those adopted domestically or internationally
All of these documents are typically available in both Korean and English upon request.
Summary: Choose the Method That Fits Your Situation
| Method | Best For | Language Required | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government24 | Korean citizens with mobile authentication | Korean | Instant PDF |
| Korean Embassy | Foreign-based applicants needing official copies | English support | 3–7 days |
| Legal Representative | Non-residents who need sealed paper copies | Korean or bilingual | Mail or scan |
| Apostille Legalization | Legal or immigration document verification | N/A | Courier/in-person |
Korean Certificates Are Accessible from Anywhere — If You Know Where to Look
Whether you’re applying for a spouse visa, registering a child abroad, or completing an international legal procedure, you can access your Korean certificates from overseas — no matter where you are. With digital platforms like Government24, support from embassies, and notarized document services, the process has become more flexible than ever.
Be sure to plan ahead, especially if you need apostille certification or English-language versions. And when in doubt, reach out to a nearby Korean consulate — they are often your best partner in navigating official procedures from abroad.