When your baby is born in Korea, there are several administrative steps to take care of, starting even before you leave the hospital. From birth registration to foreigner registration and applying for various benefits, working through them one by one in order makes the process much more manageable. Even if Korea’s administrative system is still unfamiliar to you, this guide will walk you through each step.

Step 1: Get the Birth Certificate

When your baby is born, the hospital will issue a birth certificate (출생사실확인서). You will need this document for every subsequent step, so keep it somewhere safe.

Step 2: Birth Registration

If one parent is Korean

Your child will acquire Korean citizenship, so the Korean parent must register the birth at the nearest city, town, or village office (주민센터, the local community service center). In principle, registration must be completed within one month of the date of birth.

If both parents are foreign nationals

Your child will follow the parents’ nationality and will not acquire Korean citizenship. Because no Korean family register (가족관계등록부) is created in this case, you must report your child’s birth to your home country’s embassy or consulate.

  • Procedures and required documents vary by country, so please contact your home country’s diplomatic mission directly.
  • You will need to obtain a passport in your child’s name before you can proceed with any residence-related procedures.

Birth Notification System (in effect from 19 July 2024)

From 19 July 2024, the Birth Notification System (출생통보제) requires medical institutions to automatically notify the local government of a birth. However, the current system applies only to children with Korean citizenship; it does not yet apply to foreign national children.

Protected Birth System for At-risk Pregnant Women, and Helpline 1308

Alongside the Birth Notification System, the Protected Birth System (보호출산제) also came into effect on 19 July 2024. Pregnant women in crisis — facing economic, psychological, or physical difficulties that make pregnancy and parenting feel overwhelming — can receive support to safely access prenatal care and give birth, even when they are not able to disclose their identity. This service is available to anyone regardless of nationality or residence status. Call the 24-hour helpline 1308 to be connected to a counseling center near you.

Step 3: Foreigner Registration for Your Child

Foreign national children who will remain in Korea for more than 90 days must complete foreigner registration. First obtain a passport in your child’s name, then visit the nearest Korea Immigration Service (KIS, 출입국·외국인청) office to apply.

  • Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the date residence status is granted.
  • Required documents: child’s passport, birth certificate, parents’ Alien Registration Cards (ARC), application form, etc.
  • Additional documents may be required depending on the type of residence status.

For the exact list of required documents and procedures, check HiKorea or call the Immigration Contact Center (1345), where assistance is available in multiple languages.

Step 4: Applying for Birth Support Benefits

The Korean government operates various support programs for families with newborns. Foreign national families may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on their residence status.

Main support programs

ProgramDetails
First Meeting Voucher (첫만남이용권)2,000,000 KRW for the first child, 3,000,000 KRW for the second child or more (National Happy Card voucher)
Parental Benefit (부모급여)1,000,000 KRW per month for children under 1 year; 500,000 KRW per month for children aged 1
Child Allowance (아동수당)100,000 KRW per month for children under 9 years of age (expanded from under 8 to under 9 in 2026)
Postpartum Care Service (산모·신생아 건강관리 서비스)A postpartum care worker visits the home after birth to help with newborn and maternal health

Eligibility requirements for foreign nationals

For foreign nationals, eligibility depends on residence status. In many cases, people holding long-term residence statuses such as F-2 (residential), F-5 (permanent residence), or F-6 (marriage migrant) are included. Recognized refugees (F-2-4) should also check separately to confirm eligibility.

Applications can be submitted by visiting your local Jumin Center or through the Government24 Happy Birth one-stop service.

Benefit amounts, application deadlines, and eligibility conditions may change from year to year. Please verify the latest information with the Immigration Contact Center (1345) or your local KIS office before applying.

Step 5: Enrolling Your Child as a Dependent in Health Insurance

After your baby is born, you need to register the child as a dependent (피부양자) under your health insurance so that the child can receive medical coverage. Once your child’s ARC has been issued, contact the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) at 1577-1000 or visit the nearest branch office to complete the registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I am undocumented. Will reporting my child’s birth lead to enforcement action against me? Korean law does not yet have sufficiently clear protective provisions explicitly stating that a parent’s residence status will not be reported to immigration authorities when registering a foreign national child’s birth. Many people understandably feel anxious about this. If you are in this situation, it is advisable to seek help first from a specialized counseling organization (such as the migrant support groups listed in the reference links below) before proceeding.

Q. Where do I register my child’s nationality? At your home country’s embassy or consulate. You can find contact details for embassies in Seoul on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at https://www.mofa.go.kr.