Acquisition by Acknowledgment (인지) of a Korean Parent
Citizenship in South Korea
- Eligibility
- A foreigner who is acknowledged (인지/認知) by a ROK-national father or mother may acquire ROK nationality by NOTIFYING (신고) the Minister of Justice, provided BOTH requirements are met: (i) the person is a minor under the Korean Civil Act (미성년); and (ii) at the time of the person's birth, the father or mother was a ROK national.
- Timeline
- standard
- Renunciation
- Not required
Overview
A foreigner who is acknowledged (인지/認知) by a ROK-national father or mother may acquire ROK nationality by NOTIFYING (신고) the Minister of Justice, provided BOTH requirements are met: (i) the person is a minor under the Korean Civil Act (미성년); and (ii) at the time of the person's birth, the father or mother was a ROK national.
Who qualifies
- A foreigner who is acknowledged (인지/認知) by a ROK-national father or mother may acquire ROK nationality by NOTIFYING (신고) the Minister of Justice, provided BOTH requirements are met: (i) the person is a minor under the Korean Civil Act (미성년); and (ii) at the time of the person's birth, the father or mother was a ROK national.
How to apply
- The procedure for notification of acknowledgment-based acquisition under §3(1), and other necessary matters, are prescribed by Presidential Decree (Enforcement Decree of the Nationality Act). - Where a person who must file an application or report under the Nationality Act (including acknowledgment-based acquisition under §3 and transitional maternal-line acquisition) is under 15 years of age, a legal representative files on the person's behalf.
Legal basis
Primary statute: 국적법 제3조. Operative 1998-06-14–present. Authority: Minister of Justice (법무부장관); Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인정책본부).
Example scenarios
ELIGIBLE by notification while a minor
Nationality Act Art.3: a minor acknowledged by a Korean parent acquires nationality by notifying the Minister; constitutive at the time of notification.
NOT eligible via Art.3 (must be a minor)
Art.3(1)1 requires the person be a minor under the Civil Act at notification; an adult must instead naturalize (e.g. Art.7 special naturalization).
Still ELIGIBLE at birth (registration is declaratory, not constitutive)
Descent under 국적법 제3조 operates automatically at birth; late family-registry entry does not defeat the acquired status.
Informational summary compiled from primary legal sources — not legal advice. Citizenship law changes; verify with the competent authority before acting. Last verified 2026-06-22.
Track changes to this route
Descent and naturalization rules change. We'll email you in plain English when anything affecting South Korea updates — no spam.