How to Get Your Resident Registration Certificate in English (Korea 2026 Guide)

Are you living in Korea and suddenly asked to submit an “official document in English” that proves your address or household?

As of 2026, residents can request an English Resident Registration Certificate (등본, English version) or English Resident Abstract (초본, English version) online through Government24, or offline at the local district office. This guide explains, step by step, how expats, international students, and visa holders can get these documents smoothly.

Apply for Resident Registration Certificate (English)

👤 Who Really Needs an English Resident Registration Certificate?

In Korea, the resident registration system is the core proof of where you live and who you live with. The English version is especially useful if you:

Are applying for a visa at an embassy or consulate (in or outside Korea)
Need to submit address proof to a foreign employer or university
Are opening a bank account or investment account that requires English documentation
Are preparing immigration documents for another country
Need to prove your address and household information for international family or legal matters

If you are an expat, F-visa holder, or international student, getting this document once and saving a PDF often saves time when multiple institutions ask for “proof of residence in English.”

🔍 What Exactly Is the Resident Registration Certificate (English)?

There are two main types of documents. Both can be issued in Korean only or in English format if you choose the English option.

Type	Description	Typical Use Cases
Resident Registration Certificate (등본)	Shows information of all household members in one family unit	Family visa applications, school registration for children, housing contracts
Resident Abstract (초본)	Contains detailed info about one individual, including address history	Employment, immigration records, military service checks, driver’s license exchange

💡 Tip: If an embassy asks for “individual proof of address,” the Resident Abstract (초본, English) is usually more suitable. If they want to see your family together, choose the Resident Certificate (등본, English).

🌐 Where Can You Apply in 2026?

The table below summarizes the main ways to get your document, including fees and language options.

Method	Fee	Who Can Apply?	English Version?
Government24 (Online, PC & Mobile)	Free	Only for yourself (using your own login)	✅ Yes – choose “English” format when issuing
Local district office / community center	Approx. 400–500 KRW per copy	You or an authorized representative	✅ Yes – ask staff for English version
Unmanned document kiosk	Approx. 400 KRW	Yourself only (with ID)	❌ No English – Korean only

⚠️ Important: If you specifically need an English document, do not use unmanned kiosks. Go online via Government24 or visit your district office.

📎 Required Documents

🧍 If You Apply for Yourself

A valid ID (Resident Registration Card, Foreigner Registration Card, Passport, or Korean Driver’s License)
For online: PC or mobile with certificate login (공동인증서, 금융인증서, or a supported 인증 app)
Updated Government24 account with your name and registration information correctly linked

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 If Someone Applies on Your Behalf (Offline Only)

Your ID copy (front & back, if required)
Representative’s original ID (Resident Card, Foreigner ID, etc.)
A Power of Attorney (위임장) signed by you
Documents showing why the representative needs your certificate (e.g. legal case, real estate, family matters)

💡 Pro tip: For sensitive situations (divorce, inheritance, custody, etc.), bring any court documents or official letters to make the process smoother.

📄 How to Request the English Certificate on Government24 (PC & Mobile)

The fastest and cheapest way is through Government24. Below is a typical PC flow; the mobile app follows almost the same steps.

💻 Step-by-step on PC (English Resident Certificate)

Go to 👉 Government24 English Service.
Log in with your digital certificate or mobile authentication method.
In the search box, type “Resident Registration Certificate” or the Korean term “주민등록표 등본(영문)”.
Select the service for issuance (발급) of the certificate.
On the issue screen, find the language option and choose “영문 (English)”.
Check the included items (address, household members, previous addresses, etc.) and click Next / Issue.
Once processed, you can download the PDF or print directly – in most cases, there is no fee online.

📱 On Mobile (Government24 App)

Install the 정부24 (Government24) app from your app store.
Log in with mobile 인증 or certificate login.
Search the same service (주민등록표 등본·초본) and select the English issuance option.
Download the PDF to your phone or send it to your email/cloud before visiting the embassy or institution.

📝 Apply for Resident Registration Certificate (English) on Government24

🏛️ How to Apply Offline at the District Office

If you are not comfortable with online services or your certificate login does not work, you can visit the district office (구청), eup/myeon/dong community center, or resident service office.

Steps at the Counter

Bring your original ID (and power of attorney if you are a representative).
Take a waiting ticket for civil affairs / certificate issuance.
When called, say clearly: “영문 주민등록등본(또는 초본) 발급받고 싶습니다.”
Tell the staff whether you need Household certificate (등본) or Individual abstract (초본).
Check the printed information on the spot (name spelling, address, date of birth, etc.).
Pay the small fee in cash or card and receive the document.

✅ Good to know: Many offices now have staff who can guide you in simple English, especially in big cities like Seoul, Busan, and Incheon. When in doubt, prepare the Korean service name on your phone and show it at the counter.

⏱️ Processing Time in 2026

Online (Government24): In most cases, immediate issuance once verification is complete.
Offline (district office): Usually issued within 10–20 minutes during working hours.
Peak times (lunch, late afternoon): You may wait longer at the office, so try morning hours if possible.

🌍 For overseas submission, some embassies accept recent PDFs printed at home. Others may prefer an original paper copy with a fresh issue date. Always check their instructions in advance.

📞 Official Help Lines & Useful Channels

Government24 Call Center: 1588-2188 (Weekdays, 09:00–18:00)
National Call Center (Korea): ☎ 110 – basic guidance about online services
Immigration Contact Center (HiKorea, multi-language): 1345 (from Korea)
Government24 English Portal: https://www.gov.kr/portal/foreigner/en
HiKorea (Visa & immigration): https://www.hikorea.go.kr

💡 When calling 1345 or 110, you can ask for English service. They can walk you through which menu to choose on Government24 if you are unsure.

🧭 Pro Tips for Expats in Korea

Always check that your address is updated at the district office before issuing any certificate.
Save a PDF copy in cloud storage (Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) so you can resend it quickly.
If an institution insists on “recent issuance,” re-issue the document within 1–2 weeks of submitting.
For legal use abroad, ask if you also need notarization or an Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can a foreigner without Korean nationality get this document?

If you are registered in the Korean system (for example, you have a Foreigner Registration Number and appear on a resident record), you can usually issue the English certificate. If you are unsure, visit your district office and ask staff to check.

2. My name spelling is different from my passport. Is that a problem?

Yes, it can be a problem for visas and bank accounts. Ask the district office to correct your English name in the system first, then issue a new English certificate so that all documents match your passport spelling.

3. The website is only in Korean. How can I navigate it?

Use a browser with built-in translation (Chrome, Edge, etc.), or access the Government24 English portal. If you still feel lost, call 110 or 1345 and follow their step-by-step guidance.

4. Is a screenshot of the PDF enough?

Some organizations may accept a clear screenshot, but for official or legal purposes, always send or print the original PDF file without cropping or editing.

✅ Summary: Quick Facts (2026 Version)

🆓 English resident certificates are free online via Government24 for your own use.
🏢 Offline issuance at the office costs around 400–500 KRW per copy.
📱 Unmanned kiosks do not support English – Korean only.
📄 Both household (등본) and individual (초본) can be printed in English.
🌍 For overseas use, check if you need notarization or Apostille on top of the certificate.

📌 Related Posts for Life & Travel in Korea

Read these posts to combine beauty care, paperwork assistance, and real local exploration — all in one connected journey across Korea.

If this 2026 guide helped you secure your documents with less confusion, save it as a bookmark and share it with another foreigner in Korea—good information makes life abroad feel a lot more like home.

*Some links in this post are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.*

🔍 이 블로그 검색 (Search)

Bite Voyage: Travel, Food & Vibes

⭐ 추천글 (Editor’s Picks)

🌏 Top 10 Real Korean Experiences You Can’t Miss

🗂️ How to Get English Version of Resident Registration Certificate in Korea – Government24 Guide