Korean Job Discussion Forums

Drew345 · Joined: 24 May 2005

I think there was an old thread about "buying an apartment" that discussed the need to get a signature "stamp" or "chop" made and registered in the city office. I have searched and searched and can't find that thread again.
If anyone knows about needing to get a signature stamp made to buy an apartment, could you let me know if that is really necessary.
I see where I can get the stamp made at a nearby shop. Is there any need to get the stamp registered or made official in any way.
Thanks,
Drew

faster · Joined: 03 Sep 2006

I'm not sure you need one, but when you do weolsae or cheonsae you need to go to the neighborhood gov't office & get an official to stamp your contract - they run some background or financial checks and it acts, in a way, as a bit of a protection from losing your key money.

Col.Brandon · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Location: Seoul

A fingerprint should also acceptable. In my opinion, it's better than a stamp since it's too easy for someone to use your stamp without your permission if they get hold of it.

rokricky · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: Yongsan, Seoul

I thought I was the only foreigner in all of Korea that actually had an officially registered stamp.

First you have to go to any old 도장 place...I guess you would know by now they're the places with the big red stamp thing hanging outside the shop. After you get this made( 10-15mins) you need to go to City Hall (시종 sp?) and ask for "Ingam". They'll take your finger prints, signature, hair and stool sample and then, after to sign your soul away to the country, you're on your way.

It should take you about 1 hour. I ended up getting one all because of a misunderstanding. I was trying to get a certificate of income, but when I tried to explain this to the Korean staff at the tax office they understood "Ingam" and shuffled me over to city hall. I returned home that day with no certificate of income, an official stamp with my name on it, and a big huge question mark hanging over my head.

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

bigscott · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Location: Incheon

I bought an apartment last month without a registered stamp. The real estate agent said that it was no problem and the sale went through without a hitch. That being said, I also have my stamp registered at the local Gu office. It can be done with a minimum of fuss and about 2000 won.

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Are your stamp in English, Korean, or Chinese?

bigscott · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Location: Incheon

My stamp is in both English and Korean.

rokricky · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: Yongsan, Seoul

My stamp is only in Korean.

Drew345 · Joined: 24 May 2005

Just to give this some closure (from my part anyway). I ended up having to get the stamp made to buy the apartment.
The day before signing the contract for my apartment, I was told that a signature was OK. Then the day of signing I was told if I wanted to use my signature, I needed an official letter from my Ambassador!! Then take that to the local Gu office and register my signature. I hope that they meant a notirized letter from my embassy rather than letter from Ambassador, but still, way difficult.
So the easy way was to run to the local market, get a stamp made in 30 minutes, run to the Gu office, 15 more minutes, and I am good to go with my stamp. This was with 2 and 3 Koreans leading my way, would have taken a week without them.
Anyway, the stamp is expensive, 50,000 won; but I like it. It looks like a nice bamboo stick (ivory elephants are poplular with others).
So, if you plan to get (buy) an apatment, don't delay. Get that stamp registered. My advice anyway.
Drew

Drew345 · Joined: 24 May 2005

Oh, yeah, my stamp is my last name. My family name comes out 4 characters long in Korean. So we put those four characters in a square pattern. Seemed well received by all.