F-6 Marriage Visa in South Korea (Part 1)

Specifically for Americans who marry Korean nationals while in Korea on a tourist visa. But can be applied to foreigners in general.

Required Documents

• Basic Certificate 기본 증명서
• Family Certificate 가족관계 증명서
• Marriage Certificate 혼인관계 증명서
• Resident Registration 주민등본
• Proof of Employment 재직 증명서
• Tax Payment Certificate 납세 증명서
• Reference Certificate 신원보증서
• Marriage Invitation 결혼 동거 독적의 초청장
• Immigration Form 출입국 (사무소에서 다운로드)
• Translated, Notarized and Authenticated Marriage Certificate 혼인관계증명서 번역공증 *
• Passport 여권
• 2 Pictures 3.5 x 4.5 칼라사진
• Fee 4,500 Yen (if you go to Osaka, Japan)

*Update: I’ve been recently informed that you may not need to get your marriage certificate certified from the US Embassy. Rather, they may just require a letter from the US embassy informally recognizing your marriage. Please call the Osaka Embassy in Japan for more information.

My Situation

I am an American and just got married to my lovely Korean wife while on a 90 day tourist visa in Korea. The process to get legally married is fairly simple and is posted at the US Embassy website. However, attaining the F-6 Visa is a bit more complicated. My wife and I had to contact and consult with various sources until we were able to piece the puzzle together. Our best source was calling the Korean Consulate in Osaka. They outlined all the required documents and assisted us with the process.

Step 1: Get Married.

Getting married is fairly simple. The first document you (the foreigner) need is an Affidavit of Eligibility for Marriage from your Consulate or Embassy. You have to set up an appointment for the US Embassy. It’s a quick process. You simply sign the affidavit and swear an oath and pay $50.00 fee. You can also pay with a debit card. Once you get an Affidavit of Eligibility for Marriage you need to get it translated into Korean.

Affidavit of Eligibility for Marriage

” I, the above named American Citizen, being duly sworn, I depose and say: that I am of marriageable age and the consent of neither parents nor guardian is required, or if required given; that I do not have a disqualifying blood relationship to my intended spouse; that I am not now married, that there is not hindrance, legal or otherwise, to this marriage and that all facts concerning me set forth upon this document are true, correct and complete.”

Next you need to go your local ward office (Gu Cheong;구청) for approval by a Korean government official. The documents and ID needed are:

• Marriage Form
• Family Registry
• Korean Spouses ID
• Foreign Spouses Passport
• and of course, the Affidavit of Eligibility for Marriage

Hand everything in to the local ward office. Processing will take 3-5 days and you are required to pick up the Korean marriage certificate (혼인관계증명서).  You are now legally married.

For more information on Marriage of US Citizens Abroad visit Department of State website.

Step 2: Gather documents for F-6 VISA 

For more information on a F-6 VISA check out this website.

The entire process will take a month, if you are diligent. I will categorize each document, starting with the most time consuming to the least time consuming documents.

• Translated, Notarized and Authenticated Marriage Certificate 혼인관계증명서 번역공증 (*Check update above)

With your newly acquired Marriage Certificate (혼인관계 증명서) you need to get it translated, notarized and authenticated by the US Embassy.

The Korean marriage certificate must be translated and notarized from a local notary that is recognized by the US Embassy of Seoul. The list of local notary offices can be located here. Make sure you use one of the listed notaries, or else the US Embassy will not authenticate the notarized marriage certificate.

Simply make an appointment. The fee should be around 35,000 won and should only take about 15-30 minutes depending on how busy they are. With the marriage certificate translated and notarized, make another appointment at the US Embassy. Have them authenticate the marriage certificate or you can go to the MOFAT office located near the US Embassy. They will simply have you sign an affidavit and swear an oath. The fee is $50.00. Now you have a translated, notarized and authenticated marriage certificate.

• Basic Certificate 기본 증명서 / Family Certificate 가족관계 증명서 / Resident Registration 주민등본

The basic certificate, family certificate and resident registration can be collected at the Dong Office 동사무소 or district office 구청.

• Tax Payment Certificate 납세 증명서

You can get the tax payment certificate from the tax office 세무소

• Proof of Employment 재직 증명서 / Reference Certificate 신원보증서 / Marriage Invitation 결혼 동거 독적의 초청장 / Immigration Form 출입국 (사무소에서 다운로드)

The rest of the required documents need to be downloaded and filled out from the Korean Immigration Service Website.

DIRECTIONS: Drag your mouse over the button 전자민원, a drop down menu will appear, click the farthest right button, 민원서식, which will take you to page full of downloadable documents. (Microsoft Explorer works best)

Step 3: Confirm you have all the documents and identification

Before making plans to leave the country, I would recommend you calling the embassy/consulate you are going to and make sure you have all the documents prepared and ready. As mentioned above, I went to the Korean Consulate in Osaka Japan. But, if you want,  you can go back to the states

Step 4: Leave the country

If you were married in South Korea while on a 90 tourist visa, you must leave the country to get an F-6 visa. You do not need your Korean spouse to be present with you at the foreign embassy. If you have  a E-2 visa or F-2 visa, you can submit your documents within Korea without leaving the country and simply receive an upgraded F-6 visa status. For more information regarded the latter situation, with an E-2 or F-2 visa, visit this website blog.

Part 1Part 2

Otherwise, bon voyage and good luck.

For those who are interested, I posted another blog of my visit to Osaka, Japan.