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U.S. Citizens with emergencies, please call (02)397-4114. Outside of South Korea: +82-(02)-397-4114
This page contains information that may be useful for U.S. citizens seeking information on emergency assistance, passports and citizenship, legal and medical assistance, notarial services, and other local resources. For inquiries regarding specific cases that are not addressed on our website, please email us at SeoulinfoACS@state.gov.
International Parental Child Abduction
If your child has been abducted from the U.S. to Korea, speak with a U.S. State Department officer to discuss your case. We know what resources are available in different countries and can answer questions.
One of the highest priorities of the Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad. The Department of State is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas. We stand ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our authority in accordance with international, domestic, and foreign law. More information available at Travel.State.gov.
When an U.S. citizen dies abroad, the Bureau of Consular Affairs assists the family and friends. The Bureau of Consular Affairs attempts to locate and inform the next-of-kin of the U.S. citizen’s death. The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information on how to make arrangements for local burial or return of the remains to the United States. The disposition of remains is subject to U.S. and local (foreign) law, U.S. and foreign customs requirements, and the foreign country facilities, which are often vastly different from those in the United States.
When a U.S. citizen is the victim of a crime overseas, he or she may suffer from physical, emotional or financial injuries. It can be more difficult because the victim may be in unfamiliar surroundings, and may not know the local language or customs.
Emergency Financial Assistance
The American Citizen Services branch of the American Embassy can assist U.S. citizens who are temporarily destitute abroad due to robbery or other unforeseen circumstances. There are no facilities for cashing checks at the Embassy but if you find yourself in this situation there are a number of alternatives available.
U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports or apply for new passport.
Due to the global pandemic, the U.S. Embassy conducts the first loss of nationality interview by phone and has very limited availability to accommodate second interviews. Priority is given to individuals who reside in the Republic of Korea. If you wish to schedule an appointment, please contact SeoulINFOACS@state.gov – do not schedule using the online appointment system.
While recognizing the existence of dual nationality, the U.S. government does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Dual nationality may hamper efforts by the U.S. government to provide consular protection to individuals overseas, especially when they are in the country of their second nationality. Claims of other countries upon dual national U.S. citizens may place them in situations in which their obligations to one country conflict with the laws of the other. Public inquiries about the citizenship laws of other countries should be directed to the embassy or consulate of that country in the United States. U.S. law and regulations require that U.S. citizens enter and exit the United States on a U.S. passport, with certain limited exceptions.
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul strongly encourages all U.S. citizens who have children born in the Republic of South Korea to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) as soon as possible after the birth of the child. A CRBA is an official record confirming that the child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth. It can be issued only at a U.S. Embassy or a Consular Office overseas, and only before the child reaches 18 years of age. Please note that the U.S. Embassy Seoul can approve or deny CRBA applications only for children born in Korea. If a child was born in another country, we can only collect the application and supporting documents and forward them to the U.S. Embassy in that country for adjudication.
U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages in foreign countries. Depending on the law of the foreign country, local civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. Marriages performed overseas are considered valid in the country where they take place if they are entered into in accordance with local law. Recognition of the validity of marriages performed abroad depends on the laws of the place in which the marriage is to be recognized.
The Intercountry adoption process varies greatly, as it is governed by the laws of the countries where the adoptive parents and the child reside (which in the case of the United States means both federal and state law), and also in which of these locations the legal adoption is finalized. Additionally, if the child’s home country is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, the Hague processes of both countries must be followed. Prospective adoptive parents should consider all of these factors when evaluating what to expect.
The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Legal Assistance Medical Assistance Obtaining Vital Records & Other Legal Documents Driving in Korea Translators and Interpreters FAQThe following link of Korean lawyers has been prepared by the U.S. Embassy to assist American citizens desiring to retain Korean counsel.
A list of physicians and dentists known to speak acceptable English has been prepared by the U.S. Embassy to assist American citizens. This list is not meant to be an exhaustive one, nor should inclusion in the list be construed as official Embassy endorsement or recommendation of specific physicians and dentists. The U.S. Embassy in Seoul assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or hospitals whose names appear on the list.
Obtaining Vital Records & Other Legal Documents
This page is designed to help you locate the vital record documents you need. The Embassy cannot obtain documents on your behalf, and cannot provide translations of documents issued in Korean.
The Korean Drivers License Agency offers drivers training and tests in English. The examination office provides a car for the driving test. Learn more about applying for a drivers license in Korea.
The following link of Translators and Interpreters has been prepared by the U.S. Embassy to assist American citizens.
If you reside in Korea and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Manila, Philippines.
Service members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits services on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website at www.va.gov. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) can also be of assistance if Veterans and beneficiaries have questions about benefits and services.
If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you are a U.S. government employee working overseas, you cannot claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. For additional information, visit the IRS website.
U.S. embassies and consulates overseas assist the Selective Service System with its registration program abroad.
Now all U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, go to www.FVAP.gov to complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), print and sign the form then return it to your local election office in the United States. We recommend overseas U.S. citizens get in the habit of completing FPCAs each January. You should include your email address on the form so it’s easier for your election officials to reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, be sure to include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you’ll receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices.
Please call: (02)-397-4114
Outside of Office Hours, contact: (02)-397-4114
Outside of South Korea: +82-(02)-397-4114
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