International Marriage, Divorce
![](/_files/pages/20210806//a4ba24dec3a0cc590cf270431ddb0aee.png)
International Marriage
International marriages, between Korean and foreign nationals, that have taken place abroad must be reported to the District Office if it is to be legalized in Korea.
- Procedure
- Reporting Location : Gu (District) Office
- Office Required documents :
- 1. Proof of marriage and translation
- 2. Certificate of nationality: Family Relations Certificate, Birth Certificate and a copy of passport certified copy of status resister
- 3. A copy of the declaration of marriage, signed or stamped (Marriage Certificate) by both parties and 2 adult witnesses
- 4. Identification card / Alien Registration Card (ARC)
Divorce
There are two types of divorce in Korea. One is divorce by agreement, the other is judicial divorce.
Divorce by Agreement
The parties seeking a divorce by agreement should mutually agree to divorce. The couple is notified by the Family Court of a date when a meeting with a judge is arranged. After meeting the judge and discussing the surrounding circumstance, the judge will issue his or her ruling. The divorced couple will each be given a copy of all the documents, and one party must report it to the Gu (District) office to validate the divorce in three months.
- After 3months delay, the ruling by the Family Court becomes invalid.
Judicial Divorce
According to Civil Act, Article 217, divorces between a Korean national and a foreign national that have taken place abroad are legitimate in Korea, and shall have the same jurisdiction. A report of the divorce must be translated and reported for it to be valid. The divorced couple will each be given a copy of all the documents, and must report it to the Gu (District) office to validate the divorce.