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‘ (κ°λͺ )?Β 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 (μμΈλΆλΆμ§λ°©λ²μ) which is the nearest to my place.
Requirements for Application for Change of Name
- μ£Όλ―Όλ±λ‘ λ±λ³Έ (Resident Registration)
- κ°μ‘±κ΄κ³μ¦λͺ μ (Family Registration)
- κΈ°λ³Έμ¦λͺ μ (Basic Registration)
- μ£Όλ―Όλ±λ‘μ¦ (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 λ―Όμλ building and go to κ°μ‘±κ΄κ³λ±λ‘κ³.
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, κ΅μ μ·¨λμ μ±κ³Ό λ³Έμ μ°½μ€νκ° μ μ²μ (this is for the application of your surname change)Β and κ°λͺ νκ° μ μ²μ (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 μΈλͺ μ©νμμ½λ 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 μ’ ν©λ―Όμμ€.Β 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 μ‘λ¬λ£ 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 κ°μ‘±κ΄κ³λ±λ‘κ³. Submit all your requirements after receiving your revenue stamp and a copy of your μ‘λ¬λ£ (it should be 2 copies if you both changed your surname and first name).
7. After submitting your requirements, you’ll receive this paper κ°λͺ λ° λ±λ‘λΆμ μ μ μ² μ΄ν μ‘Έμ. 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.Β 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, HyejinΒ
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You can also contact me by using thisΒ contact form.
Maria Teresa Figuerres says
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.
Karla Nina Mallannao says
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?
hyejin says
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.
www.WanderWoMom.com says
once you live there momsh.,, na legally shempre, at like citizen ka na, how asap do you have to change your name?
hyejin says
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.
Sheen says
That’s quite a process π May I know the meaning of your chosen name? I have Chinese students kasi and each character has a meaning.
Christianforemost.com says
I didnβt know this, but itβs super fascinating ah!!! Finally gonna be able to get a chance to pick my own name lol. Korea here i come
Blair villanueva says
This is so cool! May I ask how many times you are allowed to change your Korean name? And for what cases only?
hyejin says
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.
pacioalita9 says
I didnt know you can change your name into a korean one. This was an interesting read
hyejin says
Pwede basta you’ve acquired Korean citizenship na.
https://hazywanders.com says
Ohh so itβs 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 itβs not approved. Buti naman. π
Hazel says
Ohh so itβs 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 itβs not approved. Buti naman. π
hyejin says
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.
traveleatpinas says
This is interesting. My husband would love this, pero syempre pag citizen na siya dun.
Rox says
Hi! Is it also necessary to change your signature pag nagpachange name? So curious about that. Thanks ^^
hyejin says
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.
Ralph says
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.
Hyejin says
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.
korea2 says
Hi do i need to get permanent residency first and exams before applying naturalization citizenship and ung age required to apply thank you..
WANDER WITH JIN says
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 whoβs been working to big Korean companies.
korea2 says
So how long po do you for foreigners who are not
married to korean can get permanent residence .thank you πππ
WANDER WITH JIN says
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.