Registering Your New Baby

When a baby is born in Korea to expat parents that baby needs to be registered.

Since we are American, this is what we need to do since we are both American.  If one of us was Korean or if one of us was another nationality it would be slightly different so if that applies to you, research what specifically you need to do.

Since we are both American this is about that specific process.

First, go to the American Embassy website for Seoul.  At the top there are tabs.  Click on US Citizen Services.  When that comes up, on the left of the page click on Citizenship and Family Services and then from there click on Reporting A Birth.

Follow the directions given to you. 

We will do three things when we do it: report the birth, apply for a US Passport and apply for a Social Security Number for the baby.  We want to get it done and out of the way. There are specific directions for each one so do one at a time and follow exactly.

BEFORE YOU GO:  MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.
The American Embassy will NOT let you in their doors if you do not have an appointment.  

After you print everything, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.  Take cash with you, or an American Visa card of some kind. They accept Korean won and American dollars but not both together at the same time.

Also, don't sign your name to anything before you arrive.  You must do that in the presence of whoever at the embassy. Just fill out all the paperwork, print, and take with you.  Also, follow the directions given. They are very explicit and not hard.

If you print this out a few months before the baby is born, make sure you check back a week or so before you go to the embassy because things may have changed and if your paperwork is the "old" paperwork, you will need to make a new appointment with the new paperwork, etc.  Just save yourself the hassle and double check things before you go.

Sometimes there may be a time limit of when your baby needs to be registered so make sure you follow directions and read everything very thoroughly.

Oh...one more thing.

If you and your partner have done fertility treatments such as IVF you must show proof of this:

• Mother’s prenatal and hospital records (e.g., ultrasounds, prescriptions, evidence of pre-natal doctor visits, hospital discharge documents, vaccination card, etc.).  If the child was conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or another similar method, please bring your medical records, including a statement from the doctor or clinic indicating the names of the egg and sperm donors.