South Korea citizenship by descent: are you eligible?

Who Can Claim South Korean Citizenship by Descent?

Citizenship by descent (also called citizenship by ancestry) lets you become a South Korean citizen if your parent, grandparent, or other ancestor was a South Korean citizen. This path is common for people whose families left Korea generations ago.

You may be eligible if:

• At least one of your parents is or was a South Korean citizen
• Your grandparent was a South Korean citizen (in some cases)
• You can prove your family connection through official documents

The key is proving the bloodline connection to South Korea with valid paperwork.

What Documents You'll Need

To apply, gather documents showing your family relationship and citizenship history:

• Your birth certificate
• Your parents' birth and marriage certificates
• Your ancestor's South Korean citizenship documents or national ID
• Divorce or death certificates (if applicable)
• Naturalization records from other countries (if your parent became a citizen elsewhere)
• Family registry records (호적 - hojuk) from South Korea, if available

All documents must be official copies, not photocopies. Many must be translated into Korean by a certified translator.

Important Rules to Know

Loss of citizenship matters. If your parent gave up their South Korean citizenship before you were born, you may not qualify. Timing is critical—South Korea tracks when citizenship was lost.

Legitimacy requirements. Children born outside marriage may face additional requirements to prove the father-child relationship.

Age limits. The process and rules can differ depending on your age when you apply. Younger applicants sometimes have different pathways than adults.

Dual citizenship windows. South Korea allows limited dual citizenship in certain situations, but you may eventually need to choose one nationality.

How to Start the Application

Contact the South Korean embassy or consulate nearest you. They handle citizenship by descent cases for people living abroad. If you're in South Korea, visit your local immigration office (국민건강보험공단).

The embassy or consulate will:

• Review your documents
• Ask you to complete official forms
• Request additional information if needed
• Guide you through the next steps

Processing times vary by location and how complex your case is.

Verify Your Eligibility First

Don't assume you qualify. Rules about descent citizenship, bloodline limits, and document requirements are specific. What works for one person might not apply to you.

Visit the official South Korean government immigration website before you spend time and money gathering documents. Contact your nearest South Korean embassy to discuss your specific family situation. They can tell you whether you have a real chance of approval.

This is general self-help information, not legal advice. Always verify current rules on the official government website.