Korean Job Discussion Forums

[deadhead]

So, my girlfriend and I have recently decided to get married! We have the rings, an appointment for our pictures, and the wedding place reserved.

I am now living in Korea.

Any other people from the US know what the next step is? Do I have to go to the US embassy for anything, or does she have to go to the Korean embassy? We plan to stay in Korea for several more years. I have no idea what to do next on her end or mine.

Thanks a lot in advance!

[tzechuk]

You are in Korea?

Then don't worry, I am sure she'll take care of everything.

Congratulations.

[deadhead]

Ah yes! good point! I am in Korea. Thanks for the congrats!

[mimis]

http://seoul.usembassy.gov/getting_married.html

[deadhead]

Thanks mimis! I found this before, but I am not sure when I do it. Do I do this before or after the wedding? Do you know? Thanks a lot!

[mimis]

Oh sorry, I'm not American Just thought I'd help ya out by searching for a useful link But from reading this:

Requirements for an American to Marry in Korea
The documents listed below are required by the Korean government, as you will be married under the laws of Korea. These documents essentially replace the Family Census Registry that a Korean citizen presents when s/he wants to get married.

PROOF OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP: A valid United States passport is sufficient to prove U.S. citizen for the purpose of marriage. If you have no valid U.S. passport at the time of marriage, you must submit the appropriate document below to prove your U.S. citizenship:

An original Certificate of Naturalization for Naturalized citizens.
A certified copy of a Report of Birth Abroad or an original Certificate of Citizenship for American citizens born abroad.
A certified copy of a birth certificate from the Vital Records Office of your State of birth, with the raised seal or seal of the State on the copy, for native-born American citizens. Information on obtaining vital records can be found on the preceding link.

A completed Affidavit of Eligibility for Marriage. You'll need one copy to be notarized by the U.S. Embassy. (Here are instructions for completing the form)


A completed Report and Certificate of Marriage. You'll need three copies, two of which will be notarized by the U.S. Embassy, and one for retention at the Korean Ward Office.(Here are instructions for completing these forms)


Proof of identity: for example, a driver's license, military I.D., etc.

Proof of termination of any prior marriage(s), including an original or certified copy of a divorce decree, annulment or death certificate for your previous spouse. Here's how to obtain vital records from the U.S.

If the American Citizen is under the age of 18, written permission to marry from both parents is required.

The fee for the notarizations, $90, which can be paid at the Embassy in dollars or in won, or by credit card. No personal checks please. There is no fee for military members who are assigned to U.S. Forces, Korea.

I would assume you need to start preparing now- getting all the necessary documents, etc.

Have you tried using the search function on Dave's? I know it doesn't always work well, but there are loads of threads about Americans marrying Koreans, could be useful.

Good luck and congrats!!! (^__^)/♥

[Forward Observer]

User name reminded me of this song

Well I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life
Run me out in the cold rain and snow
Rain and snow, run me out in the cold rain and snow

Cold Rain and Snow

[CentralCali]

OP: What is you nationality? You need to check with your country's embassy for the procedure. The "wedding hall" ceremony has no legal effect in Korea. The Republic of Korea only has civil marriage and does not empower any clergy or judicial official to celebrate marriage.

[deadhead]

FORWARD OBSERVER

haha good one! That song's also a good one! As of now, she isn't any trouble... but she isn't my wife yet

CENTRALCALI
I am American.

MIMIS
Thanks for your help, and the congrats!

[definitely maybe]

You can do it whenever you want, but before the wedding probably wouldn't be bad idea. That way you won't run into any unforeseen headaches after you get "married" at the wedding hall. As long as you have the documentsin order and a morning free, it's really easy to take care of everything at the embassy and Jongno-gu Office before lunch.

[dannylelievre]

I did it in March as a US citizen. What is important is that you do it in America first, by America, I mean the US embassy near Gwanghwamun.

here's the process:

1) get your future wife to gather all the documents AND have them translated into English. (The US embassy doesn't accept Korean writing ones, obviously. I learned this when I showed up. But, they let me type it up myself in English, it didn't have to be official.) Make sure you have 3 copies of everything.

2) go to the US embassy and turn in the paperwork and money (they take won or dollars)

3) take the paperwork to the Korean office next door and have it completed there. They have to sign it and give it back to you.

4) take all the papers back to the US embassy and give them to the clerk.

5) wait a bit for the paperwork to be signed and stamped

6) go home and get married

7) apply for f-2 visa at immigration with most of the paperwork you had for marriage.

good luck and congrats. make sure you get to the US embassy as early as possible cause you might run into a little delay at Korean embassy and then won't be able to get back to the US embassy before the end of the day, which I think is 1pm.

[deadhead]

wow awesome! Thanks a lot for the help! That's what I needed... a step-by-step for dummies!

[goesslry]

ok here is what you have to do.

Go to the US embassy, and fill out some forms. You need to then take them just down the street to the district office (like a 5 minute walk). You will sign some papers, they will fill out the US embassy forms with the correct stamps/signatures, etc).

You then take that back to the US embassy, pay some money, and they say "yippey yippey, happy marriage" (if you're lucky). Then you're married.

Quite simple actually. You choose when to do it. Ceremonies have no legal merit, so it doesn't matter if you do before or after the ceremony.

My wife and I did the legal paperwork in May a year and a half ago, but didn't have the ceremony until September.

Congrats. Let me know if you need help.

[CentralCali]

[deadhead]

Thanks for all the help everyone!!

I just have a couple more questions:
1)Has anyone gotten a F2 visa recently? Can I just change my visa from E2 to F2?
2)Do I have to get a new criminal check?
3)My contract finishes next September and the wedding is in Apil. Do I need to show a certain amount of money to get the F2, and will the remainderof my contract be enough to cover this amount?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!