Did you know that once you acquire Korean citizenship you can also apply to change your name to a Korean name and here’s how?
Did you know that changing names in Korea is legal and it is called ‘gaemyeong‘ (개명)? A lot of Koreans applied for a petition of changing their names due to some reasons like they don’t like it or their name if they have the same name as a revealed serial killer.
But for a foreigner like me, it is not possible to change your name if you don’t have Korean citizenship. But after receiving your Korean ID and you have a problem with your long name, you may also apply for a change of name. Like us Filipinos, we have a given name, middle name, and surname, that’s why when you write it in Korean it’s very long. That is the reason why I decided to change my name to a Korean name.
First I prepare the requirements that I need then I went to Seoul Northern District Court (서울북부지방법원) which is the nearest to my place.
Requirements for Application for Change of Name
- 주민등록 등본 (Resident Registration)
- 가족관계증명서 (Family Registration)
- 기본증명서 (Basic Registration)
- 주민등록증 (Identification Card/Registration Card)
You need to prepare 2 copies of the first three requirements and 2 photocopies of your identification card.
How to Change Your Name into Korean Name
1. First prepare all the documents you need and visit the nearest court.
2. Look for the 민원동 building and go to 가족관계등록계.
3. Fill up the application form for your last name and name. Don’t be mistaken with the application for a change name because the applications for Koreans are a bit different.
So you need to find these two application forms, 국적취득자 성과 본의 창설허가 신청서 (this is for the application of your surname change) and 개명허가 신청서 (for your first name).
4. You all need to prepare your chosen Korean name of course and don’t forget that you need also to write it in Hanja (Chinese characters).
TIP: If you don’t know how to write in Chinese, you need to go to the personnel and tell them your Korean name. You will receive a 인명용한자코드 where you need to choose and encircle the hanja of your name. After encircling, follow the characters and write it on your own since they are not allowed to do it for you. If you think you can’t do that, bring your husband with you when you apply.
5. When you finish signing up for your application, you need to go 종합민원실. Get your Revenue Stamp and pay 30,600 won each (change of surname and name) a total of 61,200 won.
You also need to fill in the 송달료 with your name, how much you’ve paid, the name of the bank, bank account, and holder name because you’ll get a refund once your change of name has been done.
6. Go back to 가족관계등록계. Submit all your requirements after receiving your revenue stamp and a copy of your 송달료 (it should be 2 copies if you both changed your surname and first name).
7. After submitting your requirements, you’ll receive this paper 개명 및 등록부정정 신청 이후 졸자. Your application number is also written here and the other details you need to do after your application.
8. Lastly, will receive a text message stating that your application is already received. You just need to wait up to 3 months for the result.
Happy waiting and Goodluck! If you are applying for citizenship and don’t know where to start you can read my article How to Apply for Korean Naturalization?. But if you are preparing for KIIP final test you can also check my story about My KIIP Citizenship Test Experience.
Xoxo, Hyejin 
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I’ve been learning a lot about Korean ways and culture (which includes changing names) from watching a lot of K-dramas on Netflix. It would be interesting to have a Korean name like you, Hyejin.
Ang cool!!! Totoo, ang hahaba ng pangalan ng mga Filipino. Kahit ako nahahabaan din sa pangalan ko. HAHA. Btw, may choices ba ng pangalan o pwedeng ikaw ang mag-isip?
Yung iba nagpapagawa ng name yung binibigay ung birthdate at oras ng kapanganakan which is may bayad. Tsaka ung kapalaran nung name kung bagay ba or hindi. Pero ako I made my mine kasi may free naman sa naver then ako pumili ng hanja nya then may scoring kasi if bad, good or best ung name ganun. Will share next time about sa pagpili ng name.
once you live there momsh.,, na legally shempre, at like citizen ka na, how asap do you have to change your name?
Pwedeng hindi ka din magchange mamsh kaso kasi sa legal documents pag mahaba ang name laging putol kaya may option na magpalit ng name. Ung name ko before sa aliencard eh okay na kaso sa immigration inaccept nilang name eh name ko nung dalaga which is very long kaya pag nagsulat ako at pirma ang haba haba ng sinusulat ko. But actually the earlier the better kasi pag dumami na amg legal docs mo like bank accounts, licenses etc mahirap na magpalit ng name kasi marami ka aasikasuhin.
That’s quite a process 😁 May I know the meaning of your chosen name? I have Chinese students kasi and each character has a meaning.
I didn’t know this, but it’s super fascinating ah!!! Finally gonna be able to get a chance to pick my own name lol. Korea here i come
This is so cool! May I ask how many times you are allowed to change your Korean name? And for what cases only?
Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses pwede maybe twice. About sa cases naman yan ung may mga kaso before then gusto nila magchange name hindi sila na-aapproved.
I didnt know you can change your name into a korean one. This was an interesting read
Pwede basta you’ve acquired Korean citizenship na.
Ohh so it’s legal pala sa Korea! How about your passport and other legal documents, you also have to change those right? Will it show your original name or hindi na, like yung Korean name na yung gagamitin sa mga legal docs? Also, ang mura lang magpa change ng name.. if i computed it right nasa less than 3k pesos. Tama ba? And ang galeng na they will refund if it’s not approved. Buti naman. 🙂
Ohh so it’s legal pala sa Korea! How about your passport and other legal documents, you also have to change those right? Will it show your original name or hindi na, like yung Korean name na yung gagamitin sa mga legal docs? Also, ang mura lang magpa change ng name.. if i computed it right nasa less than 3k pesos. Tama ba? And ang galeng na they will refund if it’s not approved. Buti naman. 🙂
Yes, ung legal docs sila na nagpapalit nun like ung sa family certificate, residence certificate and basic certificate. Tas pag okay na you’ll get your new id na korean name na ung nakalagay. Tas ikaw na mag aasikaso ng update ng name sa bank, insurance at phones.
This is interesting. My husband would love this, pero syempre pag citizen na siya dun.
Hi! Is it also necessary to change your signature pag nagpachange name? So curious about that. Thanks ^^
I didn’t change mine actually pero pag lumabas kasi ung korean name mo, you’ll make a dojang (stamp indicated ung korean name mo) kasama nung paper from bobwon na isubmit mo po sa cityhall.
Hi po! Ask lang po something is it possible po ba na to change my full name into korean legally or can i just create/choose my full name is it will be permanent if i change my full name as a student.Thank you po.
Hi Ralph! Changing of name to Korean is only applicable to Korean citizens. If you are a Korean citizen you are allowed to apply to change your name to a Korean.
Hi do i need to get permanent residency first and exams before applying naturalization citizenship and ung age required to apply thank you..
If your husband is Korean you need to take the program (KIIP) and pass the tests until you reach the permanent residency and citizenship. You can choose between the two. For foreigners who are not married to Korea they can apply for Permanent residency but usually this is given to expat who’s been working to big Korean companies.
So how long po do you for foreigners who are not
married to korean can get permanent residence .thank you 😊😊😊
Not all foreigners can apply for that. Meron designated visa for that so they can apply for resideny. Depende din sa points mo and requires a huge amount of money sa bank and annual income din.