How is a report of loss of nationality carried out?

Hello. This is an overseas immigration attorney at Daeryun Law LLC.

Loss of nationality takes effect under the law when certain grounds arise, but administratively it is a matter that must be settled through a separate reporting procedure.

Therefore, acquiring a foreign nationality does not automatically result in the loss of Korean nationality, and you must file a report of loss of nationality in order for various family relations registers and administrative records to be settled.

Cases requiring a report of loss of Korean nationality include where a Korean national voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality, where a person who has acquired Korean nationality does not renounce their foreign nationality within six months, or where a dual national does not choose one nationality within the nationality selection period, among others.

In such cases, grounds for loss of nationality arise under the law, and the procedure for confirming and recording this administratively is precisely the report of loss of nationality.

For the report, you basically need one copy of the application, documents proving acquisition of the foreign nationality, and documents related to the family relations register (materials corresponding to the former family register certificate).

The application is filed with the competent immigration and foreigner office, such as the nationality affairs branch office within the immigration office, and it is thereafter reviewed and processed by the Ministry of Justice.

If you delay the report of loss of nationality, unnecessary confusion may arise in matters such as domestic real estate registration, inheritance issues, financial transactions, and the settlement of military service status.

In particular, where a state of dual nationality remains unresolved for a long time, it may lead to an administrative fine or administrative disadvantages, so it must first be established that you accurately check your current legal status of nationality.

The issue of loss of nationality can expand into a complex legal matter connected to military service, inheritance, taxation, and the transfer of overseas assets, so it is advisable to proceed after reviewing together the time of acquisition of the foreign nationality and the status of settling domestic interests.

Our firm collaborates with law firms in various locations abroad and provides comprehensive international legal advisory services, including the report of loss of nationality as well as the resolution of multiple nationality, the transfer of overseas assets, international inheritance, and residence status issues.

We recommend obtaining a preliminary review of your current legal status before proceeding with the procedure.