Home-Country Documents for Getting Married in Korea: A Country-by-Country Guide

The biggest bottleneck in most Korea marriage registrations is not the district office visit itself. It is getting the right document from your home country, in the right form, before the 3-month validity window closes.

This guide covers the four-step framework that applies to all nationalities, then goes country by country for the US, Vietnam, Philippines, Russia, and China, with embassy contacts, processing times, and the specific gotchas for each.

For the district office process, form fields, and witness requirements, see the marriage registration guide. For the full marriage overview including visa implications and cost estimates, see the getting married in Korea guide.

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The four-step framework

Every foreign national registering a marriage in Korea follows the same basic chain, regardless of nationality.

Step 1: Obtain your home-country civil document. This is the document that proves you are legally free to marry: not currently married, not below the legal age, and not barred by other restrictions. Each country issues this under a different name. The Korean term for what it needs to prove is 혼인성립요건구비증명서 (certificate confirming marriage eligibility requirements are met).

Step 2: Authenticate the document. Korean district offices (구청) do not accept plain photocopies or unverified originals of foreign civil documents. You need either:

• An apostille if your home country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention
• Consular legalization (영사인증) if your home country is not yet a member

Korea joined the Hague Apostille Convention on July 14, 2007. An apostilled document from a Hague member country is accepted at any Korean district office without additional embassy legalization.

Step 3: Obtain a certified Korean translation. Every foreign-language document must be accompanied by a Korean translation. The translator must sign the translation and state in writing that it is accurate. You do not need a government-certified translator. Any bilingual person can do the translation, but it must be complete, signed, and accurate.

Step 4: Submit at the district office. Bring the original document, the authentication (apostille stamp or legalization chain), and the signed Korean translation. The marriage registration is free. For the full document checklist and how the district office counter works, see the marriage registration guide.

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Certificate of No Impediment: what it is and why Korea requires it

Korea's Civil Act sets conditions for a valid marriage: both parties must be at least 18 years old, neither can be currently married, and certain family relationships are prohibited. When one party is a foreign national, the district office has no way to verify their marital status through Korean records. The Certificate of No Impediment (혼인성립요건구비증명서) is how your home country's government tells Korea's family registry: this person is eligible to marry.

Every country issues this document under a different name. The most common equivalents:

The document by any name must confirm: (1) you are not currently married, and (2) no legal impediment to marriage exists under your home country's law.

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Apostille vs. consular legalization: how authentication works

Apostille is the shortcut. The Hague Apostille Convention (아포스티유 협약) is a 1961 treaty that lets member countries accept each other's public documents without full embassy-to-embassy legalization. If your home country is a member, a designated authority there (usually a Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or equivalent) stamps your document with an apostille, and that stamp is all Korea needs to verify authenticity.

Consular legalization (영사인증) is the full chain, required when a country is not a Hague member. The typical chain works like this:

1. Home country Ministry of Foreign Affairs certifies the document
2. The Korean Embassy in your home country certifies it again (or your home country's Embassy in Seoul certifies it for use in Korea)

This chain takes longer, costs more, and requires coordinating across multiple offices. Plan 2 to 6 weeks for a consular legalization process, compared to 1 to 4 weeks for a standard apostille.

Who is a Hague member? Check the official status table at hcch.net. As of 2026, the five countries covered in this guide have the following status:

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Korean translation and notarization requirements

Korean is the only language accepted in document fields at district offices. Every foreign-language document you bring must include a Korean translation.

What the translation must include:

• A full, accurate translation of the original document
• The translator's full name and contact information
• The translator's signature
• A signed statement that the translation is accurate and complete

What is not required by law:

• Government certification or accreditation of the translator
• Notarization of the translation at a notary's office
• Use of a court-registered translator

In practice, any Korean-English bilingual person (or bilingual person in the relevant language pair) can produce the translation. Many foreign residents use a bilingual friend or hire a freelance translator. The district office staff may review the translation for completeness. If they find errors or gaps, they may reject it.

Keep the source-language original and the Korean translation as separate documents in your folder, clearly labeled. Attaching them together with a paper clip and labeling each helps staff process them quickly.

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Validity windows: when to order your document

Most Korean district offices require the Certificate of No Impediment to have been issued within 3 months of the marriage registration date. Some offices apply a 6-month window, but this is not standardized nationally.

Do not order your document too early. If you obtain your CNI in January but do not register until May, you may need to obtain a new one. The optimal window is 4 to 6 weeks before your planned registration date, giving enough time for apostille or legalization processing without the document expiring.

If your registration date slips, call the district office and ask how they apply the validity window for your specific document type. Rules are applied at the counter level, and some offices are more flexible than others.

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United States

Where to get it

You have two options. The most practical for people already in Korea: the US Embassy in Seoul issues the Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry directly in Seoul. You do not need to travel back to the US.

The appointment process at the US Embassy in Seoul:

1. Book an appointment through the US Embassy website
2. Appear in person at the embassy. Bring your valid US passport.
3. A consular officer administers an oath and you sign the affidavit confirming you are not married and are free to marry under US law
4. The embassy stamps and returns the affidavit immediately

Fee: USD 50 per affidavit (as of 2025, per the US Embassy FAQ).

The second option: if you are going back to the US anyway, you can obtain a state-level certificate from your state vital statistics office and have it apostilled by your state Secretary of State. This approach is more common for Path C registrations (couples who married in the US and are now registering that marriage in Korea).

Apostille route

The US has been a Hague Apostille Convention member since October 15, 1981. Apostille is issued at the state level by the Secretary of State's office in the state where the document was issued. For a federal document, the US Department of State handles apostille.

For the affidavit sworn at the US Embassy in Seoul: the embassy's own stamp suffices for use at Korean district offices. You do not need to additionally apostille an affidavit sworn in front of a US consular officer.

Translation requirements

The affidavit is in English. Obtain a signed Korean translation from a bilingual translator before your district office visit.

Validity

The affidavit is valid from the moment it is sworn. Most Korean district offices require it to have been issued within 3 months of registration. Swear the affidavit close to your planned registration date.

Embassy contact

US Embassy Seoul Address: 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 세종대로 188), near Gwanghwamun Station (Exit 2) Phone: +82-2-397-4114 Getting married in Korea page: kr.usembassy.gov/services-getting-married-in-korea

Processing time and cost

If obtained at the Seoul embassy: same-day, during your appointment. Fee: USD 50. Korean translation: 1 to 3 business days if outsourced.

Gotchas

Your passport must be current and match all other documents. If you have a name discrepancy between your passport and your US ID or Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증), resolve it before the embassy appointment. The consular officer will take your name exactly as it appears on your passport.

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Vietnam

Where to get it

For Vietnamese nationals in Korea, the Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul is the required point of issue. The document is the Certificate of Marital Status (혼인요건인증서). A certificate issued only by Vietnamese local authorities inside Vietnam is not accepted directly by Korean district offices without the embassy's certification.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul operates on an appointment basis. Book at: vnembseoul.setmore.com

Apostille vs. consular legalization: date-aware callout

Until September 10, 2026: Vietnam is not yet a functioning Hague Apostille Convention member. The Convention was signed but has not yet entered into force for Vietnam. Vietnamese marriage documents require the full consular legalization chain. The Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul handles this directly for Vietnamese nationals in Korea: the embassy's consular stamp on the document is the required authentication for Korean district offices. This is why the embassy itself is the required point of issue, not a Vietnamese local authority.

From September 11, 2026 onward: Vietnam's Hague Apostille Convention membership enters into force. Vietnamese nationals will be able to have documents apostilled through Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and accepted directly by Korean district offices without the Seoul embassy's consular stamp. Before using the apostille route, verify the September 11, 2026 date is still current at the HCCH status table, as treaty dates can shift.

If your wedding and registration are scheduled for after September 11, 2026, confirm with the Vietnamese Embassy and your district office which route they are accepting at that point, since transition periods sometimes involve a mix of accepted formats.

Translation requirements

Vietnamese-language documents must be translated into Korean by a signed translator.

Validity

The Vietnamese embassy-issued certificate is typically valid for 3 months from issue date, aligning with the Korean district office standard.

Embassy contact

Embassy of Vietnam in Seoul Address: 123 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 북촌로 123, 03052) Phone (consular, Vietnamese/English): +82-2-739-9399 Phone (Korean): +82-2-725-2487 Appointment booking: vnembseoul.setmore.com

Processing time and cost

Appointment availability varies. Allow at least 2 to 4 weeks between making an appointment and receiving the completed document, then add translation time (1 to 3 business days). Check the embassy portal for current appointment slots.

Gotchas

Appointment slots at the Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul are limited and booked in advance. Do not assume a same-week appointment is available. Book as soon as you have a registration date in mind. If you are on the border of the September 2026 Hague transition date, call the embassy before booking to confirm which documentation process they are currently using.

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Philippines

Where to get it

Filipino nationals in Korea must obtain the Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (LCCM) from the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. This is the Philippine CNI equivalent and is the document Korean district offices accept from Filipino nationals.

Before the embassy will issue the LCCM, you need the following documents apostilled by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA):

• PSA Birth Certificate (from the Philippine Statistics Authority), DFA-apostilled
• PSA Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), DFA-apostilled, confirming you have never been married
• If you were previously married: PSA Marriage Certificate and PSA Advisory on Marriages, DFA-apostilled

The CENOMAR is the key document. It confirms you have no existing marriage record in the Philippine Statistics Authority database. Order it from the PSA before traveling to Korea or apply online at psaserbilis.com.ph.

Apostille route

The Philippines has been a Hague Apostille Convention member since May 14, 2019. Philippine public documents, including PSA certificates, can be apostilled by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The DFA authentication and apostille service operates in Manila and through DFA-accredited regional offices and the online appointment system at dfa.gov.ph.

The LCCM itself, once issued by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, does not require a separate apostille for use at Korean district offices. The embassy's own certification covers it.

Translation requirements

Philippine documents issued in English require a Korean translation signed by the translator. The LCCM itself from the embassy is typically issued in English; Korean translation is required for district office submission.

Validity

The LCCM is typically valid for 3 to 6 months from the issue date. Korean district offices typically require it within 3 months. Plan accordingly.

Embassy contact

Philippine Embassy Seoul Address: 80 Hoenamu-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울 용산구 회나무로 80), near Itaewon Phone: +82-2-788-2100 / +82-2-788-2101 Civil registry email: civilregistries@philembassy-seoul.com Operating hours: Sunday through Thursday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays)

Note the unusual schedule: the embassy is closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Processing time and cost

Contact the embassy directly at civilregistries@philembassy-seoul.com for current processing time and fee. The LCCM fee was not available from the embassy's primary website at the time of this guide's writing. Allow at least 1 to 3 weeks for the full LCCM process after PSA documents are in hand.

Gotchas

The CENOMAR must be recent. A CENOMAR issued years ago before your current marriage attempt will raise questions. Order a new one within 6 months of your planned registration. PSA delivery to Korea by international courier typically takes 2 to 4 weeks if ordered from abroad; DFA apostille adds additional processing. Build this into your timeline.

Filipino nationals who have been previously married face a more complex process: you need proof that the prior marriage was legally ended (annulment decree, recognition of foreign divorce, or death certificate of former spouse). Contact the Philippine Embassy civil registry section early to confirm the specific requirements for your situation.

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Russia

Where to get it

Russian nationals do not obtain a CNI at the Russian Embassy in Seoul in the same way that US or Filipino nationals do. Instead, the required document is the single-status certificate (справка о семейном положении), issued by a local civil registry office called a ЗАГС (загс) inside Russia.

If you are a Russian national living in Korea, you typically need to either travel back to Russia to obtain the certificate from your local ЗАГС, or have a family member in Russia request it on your behalf. Contact your local ЗАГС or the Russian Embassy in Seoul directly to confirm current procedures for obtaining the document remotely.

The certificate must then be apostilled in Russia before it can be used at a Korean district office. Russia has been a Hague Apostille Convention member since 1992. The apostille authority in Russia is the regional justice department or court that has jurisdiction over the document-issuing ЗАГС.

For the alternative route: if you have already registered the marriage in Russia through a Russian ЗАГС before coming to Korea, you can use the Russian marriage certificate (authenticated by Russian authorities) to register that marriage in Korea under Path C. See the marriage registration guide for Path C details.

Translation requirements

Russian-language documents must be translated into Korean by a signed translator.

Validity

Korean district offices typically require documents issued within 3 months of registration. Factor in ЗАГС processing and apostille time.

Embassy contact

Russian Embassy in Seoul Address: 43 Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 서소문로11길 43) Phone (main): +82-2-318-2134 Phone (alternate): +82-2-752-0630 Website: korea-seoul.mid.ru/ko

Russian Consulate in Busan (also handles consular inquiries for Russian nationals in Korea): Consular guidance on marriage: pusan.mid.ru/ko/marriage_counseling_kor

Processing time and cost

ЗАГС processing time inside Russia varies by region: typically 1 to 4 weeks. Apostille processing: 1 to 4 weeks. International mail or courier to Korea: 1 to 2 weeks. Total: allow 6 to 10 weeks minimum from initiating the ЗАГС request to having an apostilled document in hand in Korea. If you need to travel to Russia in person, coordinate accordingly.

Gotchas

The key unresolved question: whether the Russian Embassy in Seoul can issue or certify a single-status declaration directly in Seoul (without the ЗАГС certificate from Russia) was not confirmed from a primary source at the time of this guide's writing. Contact the embassy directly at the numbers above before assuming you need to go back to Russia. Ask specifically: "Can I obtain a certificate of unmarried status (справка о семейном положении) here at the embassy in Seoul, or must it come from my ЗАГС in Russia?" Their answer determines your timeline.

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China (PRC)

Where to get it

Chinese nationals must obtain a 미혼증명서 (unmarried-status certificate, called 未婚证明 in Chinese) from a household registration notary office (公证处 / 공증처) in China. This is not a document the Chinese Embassy in Seoul issues.

The process in China:

1. Go to the public notary office (公证处) in your household registration district in China
2. Request a 未婚证明 (certificate of unmarried status)
3. Have the notarized certificate apostilled by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部) or an authorized provincial or municipal foreign affairs office (外事办公室)

Since November 7, 2023, the apostilled document is accepted directly by Korean district offices. The older route of additionally having the Chinese Embassy in Seoul certify the document (领事确认) is no longer required for documents apostilled after that date. However, some Korean district offices may still accept the older chain during a transition period. If you have older paperwork from before November 7, 2023, confirm with your specific 구청 whether they will accept it.

Apostille route

China joined the Hague Apostille Convention effective November 7, 2023. This is a significant change from the pre-2023 process. Chinese civil documents can now be apostilled by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or authorized provincial foreign affairs offices (地方外事局 / 외사국). The apostille is accepted directly by Korean district offices.

The older consular legalization chain (China MOFA certification plus Chinese Embassy Seoul certification) is no longer required for documents apostilled after November 7, 2023. Verify this with your specific district office if working with pre-2023 documents or if office staff are unfamiliar with the change.

Translation requirements

Chinese-language documents must be translated into Korean by a signed translator.

Validity

Korean district offices typically require documents issued within 3 months. Factor in 公证处 processing and apostille processing time.

Embassy contact

The Chinese Embassy in Seoul no longer needs to be your primary contact for this document. However, their consular division can answer questions about the transition and whether older-format documents are still being accepted in the transition period.

Chinese Embassy in Seoul (Main) Address: 27 Myeongdong 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동2길 27)

Chinese Embassy in Seoul (Consular/Visa Section) Address: 103 Toegyero 18-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 퇴계로18길 103) Phone (consular certification division): 02-755-0568, 02-755-0473 Email: seoul@csm.mfa.gov.cn Consular hours: Weekdays 09:00 to 12:00, 13:30 to 17:00

Processing time and cost

公证处 processing: typically 1 to 2 weeks inside China. Apostille from Ministry of Foreign Affairs or provincial foreign affairs office: 1 to 4 weeks. International courier to Korea: 1 to 2 weeks. Total: allow 4 to 8 weeks from initiating the request in China. If you are traveling back to China before your registration, time the apostille so the document arrives fresh.

Gotchas

The November 7, 2023 Hague accession is the critical fact for Chinese nationals. If a district office staff member is unfamiliar with the change and insists on the old consular legalization chain, cite the HCCH news release confirming China's membership: hcch.net/en/news-archive/details/?varevent=947. Some older staff procedures may not yet reflect the change. Politely escalate to a supervisor if needed, and contact the Seoul Global Center (seoulforeigner.or.kr) for assistance if the office still rejects the apostilled document.

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All other countries: the general fallback process

If your home country is not covered above, follow these steps.

Step 1: Check the HCCH status table. Go to hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41 and look up your country. If it is listed as a member, apostille is your route. If it is not listed, consular legalization is required.

Step 2: Contact your home country's embassy in Seoul. Ask: "What document do I need to present to the Korean government to show I am legally free to marry? Can you issue it here, or must it come from my home country?" Embassy staff will know the procedure specific to your nationality. If the embassy cannot issue the document in Seoul, ask whether they can authenticate a document sent from your home country.

Step 3: Contact your home country's civil registry or Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If the Seoul embassy cannot issue the document, go to the equivalent of a civil registry office in your home country (vital statistics office, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Civil Affairs, or equivalent) and request a document confirming your unmarried status. Then have it apostilled (if Hague member) or take it through the full consular legalization chain (if not a member).

Step 4: Bring it to the district office and confirm acceptance before finalizing plans. Call or visit the district office family registration section (가족관계등록 창구) and ask whether they have processed your specific nationality's documents before. If they have not, bring a Korean-language summary of what the document is and which authority issued it. Staff may need to consult internally before accepting an unfamiliar format.

Helpful resources:

• Seoul Global Center (seoulforeigner.or.kr): provides in-person and phone support for foreigners navigating Korean administrative processes, including marriage registration
• Danuri helpline (1577-1366): operates in Vietnamese, Chinese, English, Filipino, Russian, and other languages; can assist with translation of questions and process guidance
• Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) legalization office: for consular authentication questions, search 외교부 영사확인 at mofa.go.kr

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FAQ

What is a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) and why does Korea require it?

A Certificate of No Impediment (혼인성립요건구비증명서) is a document from your home country confirming you are legally free to marry: not already married, not below the minimum marriage age, and not barred by other legal restrictions. Korean district offices require one from every foreign national registering a marriage in Korea. Without it, the registration is rejected at the counter.

Do I need an apostille or consular legalization on my home-country document?

It depends on whether your home country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. If it is, an apostille stamp from the relevant authority in your home country is sufficient. If it is not, you need full consular legalization: your home country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stamps the document, then the Korean Embassy in your home country stamps it again. Vietnam requires the full legalization chain until September 11, 2026, when its Hague membership takes effect.

How long is my CNI valid for use at a Korean district office?

Most Korean district offices require the CNI to have been issued within 3 months of the marriage registration date. Some offices accept documents up to 6 months old, but this is not standardized. Check with your specific district office (구청) before ordering the document, because if it expires before your registration date you will need to obtain a new one.

Does China require consular legalization or apostille for its marriage documents?

Apostille only, since November 7, 2023. China joined the Hague Apostille Convention and it entered into force on that date. Chinese civil documents, including the unmarried-status certificate (미혼증명서) from a household registration notary office (公证处), can now be apostilled by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an authorized provincial foreign affairs office and accepted directly by Korean district offices. The older consular legalization chain through the Chinese Embassy in Seoul is no longer required for documents apostilled after November 7, 2023.

Vietnam is not yet a Hague member. What does that mean for my documents?

Vietnamese documents require the full consular legalization chain until the Hague Apostille Convention enters into force for Vietnam on September 11, 2026. Before that date, your Certificate of Marital Status must be issued by the Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul and carry the embassy's consular stamp for use at Korean district offices. From September 11, 2026 onward, Vietnamese documents can be apostilled through Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and accepted directly. Verify the effective date at hcch.net before relying on the apostille route.

Can I get my CNI from my home country's embassy in Seoul instead of going back home?

For some nationalities, yes. The US Embassy in Seoul issues the Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry directly in Seoul for USD 50. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul issues the Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (LCCM) in Seoul. The Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul issues the Certificate of Marital Status in Seoul. Russia and China require documents from civil registry offices inside the home country, apostilled there. Always check with your specific embassy first, since procedures can change.

Does my CNI need to be translated into Korean?

Yes. Every foreign-language document submitted to a Korean district office must be accompanied by a Korean translation. The translator must sign the translation and include a statement that it is accurate. There is no requirement to use a government-certified translator, but the translation must be complete and signed. An unsigned translation is treated as incomplete and will result in rejection.

I am marrying another foreign national in Korea. Do we both need CNIs?

Yes. When two foreign nationals register a marriage in Korea, both partners must provide a Certificate of No Impediment from their respective home countries. Both documents must be translated into Korean. The procedure at the district office is the same as for a marriage between a Korean national and a foreign national.

What happens if my name is spelled differently on my CNI and my Alien Registration Card?

The district office will likely reject or delay the registration. Name romanization must match across your passport, your Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증), and your CNI. If there is a mismatch between your passport and your ARC, resolve it at the immigration office before going to the district office. If the mismatch is between the CNI and your passport, obtain a corrected CNI.

My home country is not listed here. What do I do?

First, check the Hague Apostille Convention status table at hcch.net to see if your country is a member. Then contact your home country's embassy in Seoul and ask: "What document do I need to show Korea that I am legally free to marry, and can you issue it here?" You can also call the Danuri helpline (1577-1366, available in multiple languages) or visit the Seoul Global Center (seoulforeigner.or.kr) for guidance.

@misc{seoulstart-marriage-documents-from-home-country-guide,
  author = {{Seoulstart Editorial Team}},
  title = {{Home-Country Documents for Getting Married in Korea: A Country-by-Country Guide}},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {Seoulstart},
  url = {https://seoulstart.com/guides/marriage-documents-from-home-country-guide},
  note = {Last updated May 14, 2026}
}