Birth Report for Foreign Couples
A child born to foreign parents in Korea does not automatically receive Korean nationality. The parents must:
- Obtain a birth certificate from the hospital.
- File a birth report with their country's embassy in Korea.
- Apply for the child's passport from the embassy.
- Apply for the child's visa and alien registration at the Immigration Office within 30 days of birth.
Documents for visa application: parents' IDs, birth certificate from the embassy, two photos, and the application fee. Additional documents may be required depending on visa type — call 1345 for details.
Death Report
If a registered foreigner dies, the spouse, parent, or the building/land owner where the foreigner died must file a death report with the Immigration Office within 14 days from recognizing the death (or within 30 days from the actual date of death).
Required: the deceased's alien registration certificate plus a medical certificate, post-mortem report, or other proof of death.
Repatriation of Remains
To send the body to the home country: visit an airline agency to fill out an air waybill, then submit the certificate of transfer, post-mortem report, certificate of embalming, and embassy confirmation to the airline.
To send ashes: you need a death certificate, post-mortem report, or embassy confirmation for carry-on luggage security screening. Contact the airline about specific document requirements.
Legal Seal (인감)
A legal seal is a registered stamp used to verify identity in Korea. It is required for property transactions (real estate contracts), delegation of rights, and lawsuits. Foreigners who have completed alien registration can register a legal seal.
How to Register
Visit the Gu Office with jurisdiction over your address (as listed on your alien registration certificate). Bring your alien registration certificate, passport, and the seal to be registered.
The seal should use the English name on your alien registration certificate. Chinese or Korean letters are also acceptable. If the English name is long, include the family name in full and abbreviate the given name as initials. Maximum size: 7mm width x 30mm length.
Certificate of Personal Seal Impression
Present your alien registration certificate to apply. The certificate cannot be issued if your stay period has expired — extend your stay first.
Non-Smoking Policy
Seoul restricts smoking to designated areas. Smoking in a non-smoking zone results in a fine up to 100,000 KRW. Managers of non-smoking areas who fail to post signs face fines up to 5,000,000 KRW.
Indoor Non-Smoking Areas
Public organizations, schools, youth facilities, medical institutions, restaurants, public baths, game centers, billiard halls, golf courses, sports facilities, daycare centers, libraries, tourist accommodations, social welfare facilities, and comic book rental stores.
Outdoor Non-Smoking Areas
Within 10 meters of subway station exits, plazas, bus stations, taxi stands, parks, gas stations, school clean-up zones, pedestrian paths next to rivers, children's playgrounds, special tourist zones, certain streets, and any area with a non-smoking sign. Specific zones vary by district.
Pet Registration and Management
Registration
Dogs two months or older must be registered with the Si/Gun/Gu Office. Make a reservation through the Animal Protection Management System (www.animal.go.kr). For stray cats, contact the animal division of your Gu Office or Dasan Seoul Call Center (120) about TNR programs.
When a Pet Dies
- At an animal clinic: the carcass is classified as medical waste and handled by a medical waste treatment company.
- At home or elsewhere: cremate at a pet crematorium or place in a regular garbage bag (classified as household waste). Burying a pet in public ground is illegal. If you own land, dig a hole at least one meter deep.
Traveling Abroad with a Pet
Pets must go through quarantine procedures and be vaccinated against required diseases. Prepare a medical certificate, vaccination certificate, and any documents required by the departure, transit, and destination countries.
Details: Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (www.qia.go.kr)