Marriage registration with a Chinese national must be completed in both China and Korea. Before proceeding, it is necessary to verify that both parties are unmarried in their respective countries.
1. Marriage Registration in Korea First, Then in China
1.Issuance of Unmarried Certification Document (Certificate of No Marriage) for the Chinese Spouse
This document certifies that the Chinese spouse meets the marriage requirements under Chinese law, i.e., that they are unmarried or not remarried. It must be notarized in Chinese and authenticated by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This document is required for marriage registration in Korea.
2. Marriage Registration in Korea
Submit the marriage registration form at the relevant city, county, or district office in Korea. Required documents include the Certificate of No Marriage (including authentication by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs), its translated version, the Chinese spouse's passport and ID, the original household registration book (Hukou), and the Korean spouse's resident registration card. It usually takes about 7 days to issue a marriage certificate.
3. Changing the Household Registration in China
If the marriage is registered first in Korea, no separate marriage registration process is required in China. The marriage certificate issued in Korea is used to change the marital status in the Chinese spouse's household registration to "married."
The process involves translating and notarizing the Korean marriage certificate, getting it authenticated by the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then by the Chinese consulate.
The Chinese spouse, with the necessary documents, visits the local police station in China to update their Hukou.
If the Chinese spouse cannot visit China, a proxy can be appointed for the process, but the power of attorney must also go through the same authentication process.
2. Marriage Registration in China First, Then in Korea
1. Issuance of Unmarried Certification Document (Marriage Relationship Certificate) for the Korean Spouse This document, proving the unmarried status of the Korean spouse, is issued by the local office in Korea and must be translated, notarized, authenticated by the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then by the Chinese embassy. 2. Marriage Registration at the Chinese Spouse's Hukou Location The marriage registration form is submitted at the Chinese spouse's Hukou location. Required documents include the translated and authenticated Marriage Relationship Certificate, the Korean spouse's passport and resident registration card, the Chinese spouse's ID and Hukou, and photos. Once the process is completed, a marriage certificate is issued, and the Chinese spouse can change their marital status in the Hukou. 3. Marriage Registration in Korea After completing the marriage registration in China, the Chinese spouse's marriage certificate is translated, notarized, and authenticated. This, along with the Chinese ID, passport copy, Hukou copy, and the Korean spouse's ID, is submitted to the relevant office in Korea.
Alternatively, the marriage certificate can be issued by the Korean consulate in the country of residence if both parties reside in China. This method is useful if both are living in China, but some regions in Korea might require authentication from within Korea. It's essential to confirm the requirements in advance. In all cases, updating the Hukou in China is mandatory.
The required documents for marriage registration can vary by region in China, so it's crucial to verify the specific requirements beforehand.
After completing the marriage registration, the next step is to apply for a marriage visa (F6). Let's look at the required documents for applying for an F6 visa with a Chinese spouse.
Required Documents for the Inviting Party (Korean)
1. Invitation letter for the foreign spouse (specified format)
2. Guarantee of identity (specified format) - Guarantee period: 2 years from the date of entry
3. Basic certificate, family relationship certificate, marriage relationship certificate (detailed version of each certificate), resident registration transcript
4. Real estate registration transcript or lease contract
5. Proof of financial capability
Mandatory: Income amount certificate (issued by the National Tax Service), credit information inquiry report.
(1)If using employment income
Mandatory: Withholding receipt (issued by the employer).
Optional: Certificate of employment or career, business registration certificate copy, bankbook copy, salary statement, health insurance payment confirmation, etc.
(2)If using business income
Mandatory: Business registration certificate.
Optional: Other documents proving income.
(3)Other income
Other documents proving income and assets, such as a deposit certificate.
◆ The income (before tax) of the inviter for the past year must meet the income requirements as per the table below.
Classification | Household of 2 | Household of 3 | Household of 4 | Household of 5 | Household of 6 | Household of 7 |
Income Criteria (KRW) | 19,560,510 | 25,168,206 | 30,726,480 | 36,147,090 | 41,442,024 | 46,683,552 |
6. Health examination certificate
- Including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, sexually transmitted diseases, personality disorders, drug addiction, and other mental illnesses.
7. Proof of genuine marriage relationship (photos of dating and marriage, emails, letters of guarantee, etc.).
8. Completion certificate or number of the international marriage guidance program.
Required Documents for the Invitee (Chinese)
1. Visa application form, photo, passport, ID.
- If the Hukou is in another region, additional residence permit required.
2. Statement of marriage background by the foreign spouse (specified format).
3. Marriage certificate and original Hukou (marital status must be indicated as "married" or "spouse").
- If divorced or widowed, additional documents such as divorce certificate, civil judgment letter, or medical death certificate are required.
4. Proof of communication requirements
<Exemption criteria>
- include having children born from the marriage or being pregnant for more than 20 weeks.
<Documentary Evidence for Communication Requirements>
- If the invitee has passed level 1 or higher in the Korean language proficiency test or has a related degree.
- If the invitee has completed the beginner's course (level 1 or higher) at a designated education institution (Sejong Hakdang).
- If the invitee is an ethnic Korean foreign national with proven Korean language skills.
- If the invitee has previously resided in Korea for more than a year.
- If the inviting party has previously resided in the country of the marriage immigrant for more than a year.
- If both the inviting party and the invitee have previously resided in a common country for more than a year.
- If the inviting party and the invitee share the same mother tongue (referring to the language of the country of nationality before naturalization in the case of the inviting party).
- If the inviting party and the invitee share a language other than Korean (additional review during visa examination).
- If the invitee holds a completion certificate of level 2 or higher in the Social Integration Program (KIIP).
※ In cases where the Korean language ability is deemed significantly lacking, a direct evaluation by the consulate may be conducted.
5. Criminal record certificate
※ Must be notarized, authenticated, and submitted in original or copy.
6. Health examination certificate - Including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, sexually transmitted diseases, personality disorders, drug addiction, and other mental illnesses.
7. Tuberculosis diagnosis certificate (issued by a designated hospital by the consulate).