How to Register Your Marriage with a Vietnamese Spouse in Korea: Procedures and Precautions
1. Can You Start an International Marriage with a Vietnamese Citizen in Korea?
International marriage involves a lot of paperwork and procedures, which can seem overwhelming. However, nowadays, many foreigners living in Korea are opting to register their marriages here first. In this guide, we’ll explore how a South Korean man can navigate the marriage registration process with a Vietnamese woman.
2. Registering Your Marriage with a Vietnamese Spouse in Korea
Interestingly, Vietnam allows couples to register their marriage either in Korea or Vietnam. However, since many individuals are balancing work and studies in Korea, it’s common for couples to complete the marriage registration process in Korea before proceeding to register in Vietnam.
2-1. Key Document: Certificate of Eligibility to Marry
To register a marriage with a Vietnamese citizen in Korea, you will need a special document known as a “Certificate of Eligibility to Marry.” This officially states that you are in a legal position to marry. Most countries only require a single document, such as a certificate of unmarried status, but Vietnam has a two-step process:
- Obtain a “Certificate of Marital Status” (Giấy xác nhận tình trạng hôn nhân) from Vietnam.
- Present this document to the Vietnamese Embassy in Korea to apply for the Certificate of Eligibility to Marry.
2-2. Required Documents
Document preparation can be quite intricate and often involves translation, notarization, and consular verification. Here’s a checklist of what you’ll need to gather:
- For the Vietnamese partner: Birth certificate, identity card, Certificate of Marital Status, passport copy, etc.
- For the Korean partner: Basic certificate, family relationship certificate, and marriage relation certificate (to prove unmarried status).
Typically, families back in Vietnam manage these documents, or many opt to leverage local agencies for assistance. Given that the embassy may have stringent requirements, it’s often wise to consult with an expert from the beginning to save time and money.
3. Registering Your Marriage at a Local Municipality in Korea
Once you have the Certificate of Eligibility to Marry, you can proceed to register your marriage at any city hall or district office in Korea—there’s no need to worry about jurisdiction; registration can be done nationwide. Both partners need to fill out the marriage registration form, which requires the signatures of two witnesses. After submission, the registration is typically processed within 5 to 7 days, and your spouse will officially be listed on your family relationship certificate.
4. Preparing for the F6 Visa Application
With your marriage registration complete, you can also apply for an F6 visa, often referred to as a marriage visa. This visa allows for long-term residency in Korea. Both partners must go together to the immigration office, where you’ll need to supply several documents and go through an interview process. Just having the marriage registration in Korea is sufficient; you can take care of any Vietnamese registration later on.
5. When to File Your Marriage Registration in Vietnam
If you plan to visit Vietnam in the future, you can complete the marriage registration at that time as well. Simply have your marriage certificate and basic certificate from Korea translated and notarized before submission. Following this guideline ensures that you will be legally recognized as a couple in both Vietnam and Korea.
6. Final Tips
International marriages are romantic but require careful planning and attention to detail. The procedures can be complex, yet if you tackle each step one at a time, you can navigate through it smoothly. The marriage eligibility certificate from Vietnam can be somewhat demanding, so it’s highly advisable to seek professional help or thoroughly prepare your documents in advance. Additionally, when applying for the F6 visa post-registration, you should also verify the requirements tied to the visa (like income, language requirements, and any other conditions).
This information is accurate as of the time of writing, but be aware that government policies may change. This article serves purely for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For further advice, you can reach out through the 1:1 consultation board here.