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U.S. Citizens with emergencies, please call (02)397-4114. Outside of South Korea: +82-2-397-4114
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.
The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.
The Department of State helps the family and friends of U.S. citizens who die abroad. We inform the U.S. citizen’s next-of-kin of the death and we provide information on arrangements for local burial or the return of remains to the United States and on disposition of estates and personal effects. We also issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad, an official record of death.
International Parental Child Abduction
The Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues works to resolve and prevent cases of international parental child abduction and to help children and families involved in abduction cases. For more information, see our international parental child abduction page on travel.state.gov.
The Department of State helps U.S. citizens who are victims of crime overseas. We connect crime victims with police and other services and provide information and resources to assist with physical, emotional, and/or financial injuries from crime.
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 in need of emergency financial assistance while abroad should first attempt to contact their family, friends, banking institution, or employer. Our American Citizen Services unit can assist in this effort, if necessary.
Use a commercial money transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram., to wire money overseas. Money transfer cost comparison tools online can help you identify the best option. The person receiving the money will need to present proof of identity such as a passport. Link text: Be wary of International Financial Scams.
Sending Money through the U.S. Department of State
When the commercial options listed above are not available or feasible, family or friends may send funds via the U.S. Department of State for delivery to a destitute U.S. citizen abroad at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State assesses a $30 fee to establish an account and transfer funds.
Destitute U.S. citizens may be eligible for a loan from the U.S. government to travel to the United States. Repatriation loans must eventually be paid back to the U.S. government. Your U.S. passports will be limited at the time the loan is issued and in most cases you will not be issued a new passport until the loan is paid in full. Contact us for more information.
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 United States is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, an international treaty which seeks to ensure that intercountry adoptions are made in the best interests of the child and that safeguards are in place for their protection. All adoptions in another country must take place according to both U.S. and local laws for the adopted child to be eligible to immigrate to the United States. You should work with a U.S. adoption service provider specifically authorized to facilitate intercountry adoption. You can find more information about
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 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 Translators and Interpreters Driving in Korea Identity History Summary Checks(Rap sheets)The 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 following link of Translators and Interpreters has been prepared by the U.S. Embassy to assist American citizens.
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.
Identity History Summary Checks(Rap sheets)
Identity History Summary Checks(Rap sheets) – Formerly Known as an “FBI Criminal Background Check”
Consular Affairs (CA) is the public face of the Department of State for millions of people around the world. We provide many services, and the most common are listed below.
U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.
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.
If you are a U.S. dual citizen or U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you can register with the Selective Service System.
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.
U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services.
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: +82-2-397-4114
Emergency Contact – All Locations Get Travel Alerts International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance