Nationality Act Article 15
(Loss of nationality caused by gaining of foreign nationality)
· Korean nationals that voluntarily acquired foreign nationality must forfeit Korean nationality at the time of the acquisition.
· Korean nationals that belong to the following (but did not voluntarily gain foreign nationality), must declare willingness to maintain Korean nationality within 6 months from acquiring such foreign nationality. Failure to do so will result in loss of their Korean nationality.
- Those that married a foreigner and gained the nationality of the spouse
- Those that were adopted and gained the nationality of their foster parent.
- Those that gained the nationality of foreign parent through his/her recognition
- Spouse or children (minor) of those that gained a foreign nationality and lost Korean nationality that gained foreign nationality by extension, under the laws of the foreign country.
· Those that lost Korean nationality due to acquiring a foreign one, but does not know the exact date of acquisition, it will be defined as the date of the very first foreign passport issued to them.
· Those born as Korean nationals that voluntarily acquire foreign nationality through naturalization or other means of gaining foreign nationality will automatically forfeit Korean nationality upon said acquisition.
· If acquisition of foreign nationality was involuntary, they must report their willingness to maintain Korean nationality within 6 months of the said acquisition. Otherwise, they will automatically be considered to have lost their Koran nationality on the day of the acquisition of foreign nationality.
- Those that do declare their willingness to maintain Korean nationality within six months of acquiring foreign nationality will then be eligible for application of nationality choice system as dual nationality holder.
· Dual nationality holders that do not choose Korean nationality within the assigned period will forfeit their Korean nationality.
· Foreigners that acquire Korean nationality through naturalization or reinstatement of Korean nationality will forfeit it if they do not give up their original nationality within six months from the acquisition of Korean nationality.
Cautions in filing the loss of nationality report
· Reporting the loss of nationality is possible in overseas Korean Embassies / consulates.
· Reporting the loss of nationality is possible regardless of status of military service (applicable to males) or age (applicable to females).
· When reporting the loss of nationality, the name stated in family relation certificate must be used as the name of the applicant.
· If the name stated in family relation certificate and the name stated in passport differ by more than two letters, a legal document is needed to certify the change of name.
· If such document does not exist, name change certificate issued by corresponding Embassy or mother country must be reported. Alternatively, parents (or equivalent persons) must give written guarantee that both names refer to the same person (fixed with registered seals) with public certification as well as the certificate of seal impression of guarantor(s).
· Males between 18-38 years of age(from January 1st of the year he becomes 18 to December 31st of the year he becomes 38) that cannot provide foreign national’s certificate or military service certificate (documents showing fulfillment of military service, exemption from military service, or register as 3rd National Service) must instead provide certificate showing the date of gaining of foreign citizenship issued by corresponding foreign Embassy.
Application Center
· Immigration Office of Nationality department
· Those with foreign address may file the report to the head of Korean Embassies or consulates overseas.
Documents to be filed for the loss of nationality (국적상실신고시 제출서류)
All supporting documents and identifications must be original to verify the authenticity, then you will be allowed to submit photocopies of them. The Ministry of Justice may request additional documents during the application review process. Submitted documents will not be returned to applicants.
Regardless of gender or age, Loss of Nationality Report must be submitted officially when a formerly Korean national becomes a naturalized Danish citizen due to an adoption, marriage, or voluntarily acquiring the citizenship.
① Loss of Nationality Report Form 국적상실신고서 ※ You must write the form in Korean. (form attached)
② A copy of Foreign Passport (Passport must be valid for more than 1 year).
※ Please bring along your old Korean passport if applicable.
③ Applicant's Basic certificate 기본증명서, or a Certified Copy of Archived Family Register 제적등본, which must be issued within recent 3 months from the application date
※ Family-related documents can be applied in person at the Embassy by submitting required documents.
Per document, 7 DKK (Cash or Mobilepay)
※ However, you must know your Korean name and domicile (등록기준지) in Korea to apply. For adoptees, domicile is usually the address of the adoption Agency in Korea. Please check this information with the Agency.
④ Documents certifying the cause and date of acquisition of foreign nationality (loss of Korean nationality) (certificate of acquisition of Danish nationality, judgment, etc.) and translation in Korean.
※ This is required to determine and confirm the official date of naturalization.
⑤ 1 Passport Photo(2" by 2")
⑥ In cases of applicants whose names have changed after acquiring other nationalities, a certificate proving the name change ruling (e.g. marriage certificate, adoption certificate, etc.) and translation in Korean.
(Anyone who has officially changed name due to a marriage or naturalization, must provide a legal proof)
⑦ Same Name Confirmation Form 동일인확인서 (attached) (If applicable)
(Must complete the form if the name has been changed due to a petition or marriage)
⑧ Processing time: minimum 3 months and up to 8 months or more
- Competent Government Agency: Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea
⑨ Fees: free
※ Document in foreign language other than Korean must have a Korean translation with translator's information (name, mobile number, signature, etc). Translators can use the form attached ("Confirmation of Translators") to write about their information.
※ When the application is submitted on behalf of the applicant, the proxy(should be immediate family members) must bring along their most current valid passport, naturalization certificate, residence card, and a proof of their family relationship.