Today, we will learn about international marriage in Cambodia.
In the case of international marriage in Cambodia, marriage registration must be done in Cambodia before you can register the marriage in Korea, and then you can apply for a marriage visa.
Also, to register the marriage in Cambodia, both parties to the marriage must attend an interview at the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, so the Korean husband (spouse) needs to prepare the necessary documents and travel to Cambodia.
Furthermore, marriage through matchmaking agencies is prohibited, and the Korean spouse (husband) must have an annual income of more than $2500, which must be proven with official documents.
The basic procedures are as follows, and we will look into the documents and methods required to carry out each procedure.
International Marriage with Cambodian and Procedures
Preparation of documents by the husband in Korea + Notarization of English translation → Consular confirmation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea → Authentication by the Cambodian Embassy in Korea → Departure to Cambodia → Consular confirmation by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia → Completion of marriage application form at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs → Visit to the Cambodian Ministry of Interior (Interview) → Marriage registration at the local government office in Cambodia (based on the Cambodian spouse's registration location) → Return to Korea and marriage registration at the district office of the residence → Application for marriage visa (F-6) at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia
1. Preparation of documents by the husband in Korea + Notarization of English translation
① Marriage Relationship Certificate (detailed) / Family Relationship Certificate (detailed)
② Criminal Record Certificate (must be issued for the purpose of international marriage)
③ Income proof documents - Certificate of Income Amount, Withholding Receipts, Certificate of Employment, etc.
2. Translation and notarization of the above documents into English for consular confirmation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea
Address: 4th floor, Korean Re Building, 60, Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Phone: 02-2100-7600
Business hours: 9:00~17:00 (Mon-Fri)
3. Authentication of the documents confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Cambodian Embassy in Korea
Address: 20-gil, Embassy Road, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Phone: 02-3785-1041
Business hours: 9:0012:00, 14:0017:00 (Mon-Fri)
4. Consular confirmation by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia
- With the passport and the documents authenticated by the Cambodian Embassy in Korea, travel to Cambodia and visit the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia to apply for a single-status affidavit consular confirmation. - The application documents for single-status affidavit consular confirmation are valid only within three months from the date of consular confirmation by the Cambodian Embassy in Korea. Address: Phum no.14(Koh Pich), Tonlebassac, Chamkamon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phone: 023-219-900~903
Document submission: 8:30~11:30 (Mon-Fri), Document issuance: Next morning
5. Completion of marriage application form at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Prepare the following documents along with the single-status affidavit issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia and visit the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to fill out the marriage application form available at the Ministry (attach a 4*6 photo to the application form)
Address: No.3 St. Samdech Hun Sen, Tonle Basac, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phone: 023 302 999, 013 313 145, 016 353 053
Business hours: 8:0011:30, 14:3017:30 (Mon-Fri)
1. Documents prepared by the Korean
① Marriage Relationship Certificate (detailed) / Family Relationship Certificate (detailed)
② Criminal Record Certificate (must be issued for the purpose of international marriage)
③ Income proof documents - Certificate of Income Amount, Withholding Receipts, Certificate of Employment, etc.
④ Passport and Cambodian entry visa (issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia)
2.Documents prepared by the Cambodian spouse
① Family Relationship Certificate
② Copy of Birth Certificate
③ Certificate of Single Status
④ Health Certificate (issued by the designated hospital)
⑤ Cambodian ID card
6. Interview at the Cambodian Ministry of Interior
- With all the prepared documents and the documents issued by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both parties to the marriage (groom and bride) visit the Cambodian Ministry of Interior for an interview.
- After the interview, the review is conducted, and a marriage permit is issued.
Address: National Road no.1 Pum Beoung Chhouk Sangkat Nirouth, Chba Ampov, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phone: 023-987-139
Business hours: 8:3010:30, 14:0016:30 (Mon-Fri)
7. Marriage registration at the local government office in Cambodia
- With the documents issued by the Cambodian Ministry of Interior (marriage permit), proceed to the local government office based on the Cambodian spouse's registration location for marriage registration.
- Both parties to the marriage (groom and bride) must visit in person to print their fingerprints and register the marriage, receiving the marriage certificate in return.
8.Return to Korea and marriage registration at the district office of the residence
- Translate and notarize or verify the translation of the marriage permit issued by the Cambodian Ministry of Interior and the marriage certificate issued by the local government office in Cambodia into English or Korean. - Fill out the marriage registration form and, along with the translated and notarized marriage permit and marriage certificate, bring the IDs (passports) of both parties to the marriage to the district office of the residence for marriage registration. ※ In Korea, marriage registration can be done by one party to the marriage, i.e., the Korean spouse alone.
※ The documents required for marriage registration in Korea may vary slightly from one district office to another, so it is recommended to inquire directly with the district office of your residence.
9. Application for marriage visa (F-6)
Now that the marriage registration is complete, you can apply for a marriage visa.
If the spouse is legally staying in Korea on a long-term visa or is a holder of a short-term visa (C-3) for humanitarian reasons (pregnancy/birth), you may apply for a change of residence status within Korea.
Otherwise, you must apply for an F6 marriage visa at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia.
The following are the basic required documents for applying for an F6 marriage visa.
Documents for applying for a marriage visa (F-6) with a Cambodian
<Korean spouse prepared documents>
1. Mandatory basic submission documents
1) Marriage Relationship Certificate (detailed), Family Relationship Certificate (detailed), Basic Certificate (detailed), Resident Registration Copy each
2) Identity Guarantee Certificate: Guarantee period is 2 years from the date of entry
3) Invitation letter for foreign spouse
4) Health Certificate (issued by the designated hospital by the Ministry of Justice)
5) Completion certificate of the International Marriage Guidance Program
6) Copy of passport
2. Documents related to income and housing requirements
1) Common documents
- Income Amount Certificate (issued by the National Tax Service)
- Credit Information Inquiry Certificate (issued by Korea Credit Information Services)
- Real estate registry or lease contract
2) When utilizing labor income
- Mandatory submission documents: Withholding receipt and Certificate of Employment
- Optional submission documents: Certificate of Career, Copy of Business Registration Certificate, Others (bankbook copy, salary statement, health insurance eligibility loss/gain confirmation, etc.)
3) When utilizing business income
- Mandatory submission documents: Business Registration Certificate (excludes agriculture, forestry, and fisheries)
- Optional submission documents: Farmland register, Cooperative member certificate, Agriculture and fisheries fact confirmation certificate, etc.
4) Other income and property related
- Optional submission documents: Real estate registry, Land (building) register, Publicly notified land price confirmation documents, etc.
※ The validity period for submitted documents such as invitation letters and Marriage Relationship Certificates is within 3 months from the date of issuance (However, the health certificate is valid within 6 months)
<Cambodian spouse prepared documents>
1. Mandatory basic submission documents
1) Passport and copy of the passport, 1 passport-size photo, visa application form
2) Statement of marriage background of the foreign spouse
3) Family Relationship Certificate (1 copy in Khmer, 1 translated copy in English)
4) Birth Certificate (1 copy in Khmer, 1 translated copy in English)
5) Criminal Record Certificate (1 copy in Khmer, 1 translated copy in English)
6) Health Certificate (issued by the designated hospital)
7) Family photo taken with the Korean spouse
8) Copy of Cambodian ID card, fee $40
2. Communication related documents (choose one)
- Korean Language Proficiency Test TOPIK score certificate
- Korean language degree certificate
- Documents confirming past residence in Korea for more than 1 year
3. Cambodian marriage-related documents (if marriage registration procedures were conducted between the two countries)
1) Marriage permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior (1 copy in Khmer, 1 translated copy in English)
2) Marriage certificate issued by Cambodian local government (1 copy in Khmer, 1 translated copy in English)
3) Copy of the notebook in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued after the Embassy's consular confirmation of the Korean's single status affidavit
※ English translation is required for documents at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs