Dual Citizenship

Korean adoptees are eligible to restore their Korean nationality and become dual citizens.

The Campaign

G.O.A.’L. understood that the Korean adoptees had not voluntarily renounced their Korean nationality. This is why G.O.A.’L. launched an initiative that successfully changed the law and allowed Korean adoptees to reclaim their Korean citizenship without losing the citizenship of their adoptive country.

Before this new law, the system that allowed Korean adoptees to keep their dual nationality was not widely known. And even so, at the age of 20 or 22 (depending on gender), the adoptee had to choose one of their nationalities. Korean nationality was lost without consent. With this new law, Korean adoptees now have the choice to regain their Korean nationality as a fundamental individual right.

Campaign History

  • Fall 2007, the Dual Citizenship campaign was launched when G.O.A.’L. began studying various nationality laws of the countries where the adoptees were sent.
  • May 2008, G.O.A.’L. launches a petition and informs the Korean media, asking the Ministry of Justice to collaborate with G.O.A.’L. for the campaign
  • In the summer of 2008 and 2009, the Ministry of Justice held two public hearings in which Dae-won Kim (former Secretary General of G.O.A.’L.) represented the Korean adoptee community.
  • June 2009, the first draft of a new nationality law is presented
  • November 2009, the revised law is submitted to the National Assembly, which was approved by the Legislative and Judicial Committee
  • April 22, 2010, the law was revised and approved in plenary by the National Assembly
  • May 4, 2010, the law is officially announced
  • January 1, 2011, the law is officially effective
  • November 2020, it was made possible to apply to for dual citizenship for those residing outside of Korea with the local Consulate or Embassy.

Restoring Your Korean Citizenship

Since 2011, G.O.A.’L. has assisted hundreds of adoptees through the process of restoring their Korean citizenship. In order to apply for Korean citizenship, you will need the following documents:

APPLICATION FORMS

  1. Application to Recover Korean Citizenship (κ΅­μ νšŒλ³΅ν—ˆκ°€ μ‹ μ²­μ„œ)
  2. Personal Statement (General) (κ΅­μ νšŒλ³΅μ§„μˆ μ„œ(일반))
  3. Personal Statement (μ‹ μ›μ§„μˆ μ„œ)
  4. Family Relationship Notification Letter (κ°€μ‘±κ΄€κ³„ν†΅λ³΄μ„œ)

DOCUMENTS

  • (A) Removed Registry (μ œμ λ“±λ³Έ) (less than 6 months old)
    ~OR~
    (B) Korean Family Registry (가쑱관계증λͺ…μ„œ)
    and Basic Certificate (기본증λͺ…μ„œ) (less than 6 months old)
  • Passport – original + color copy (Valid for 3+ years)
  • If applying in Korea, F-4 Visa (외ꡭꡭ적동포 κ±°μ†Œ 증 사본) – original + color copy
  • Certificate of Citizenship / Naturalization + color copy
    • If it is not in ENGLISH or KOREAN, a translated copy of Citizenship / Naturalization citizenship is needed.
  • Adoption Certificate (μž…μ–‘μ‚¬μ‹€ν™•μΈμ„œ) (Less than 3 months old)
    • In case of an individual adoption: court decree on adoption, birth certificate, and all other adoption-related documents
  • Criminal Background Check + Apostille from your adoptive country (Less than 6 months old)
    • Exempt if over 60 years of age
  • Any and all other documents related to name change, birth date change, marriage certificate, etc.

ETC.

  • Three photos 3.5cm x 4.5cm (Less than 6 months old, must be identical)
  • Processing Fee – 200,000 KRW*
    *This is the cost for applying in Korea, but if applying overseas, please check with your Consulate/Embassy

For a step-by-step guide, translated English versions of the applications, and further assistance, please become a member!

Become a member
SearchPostsLogin