Korean Documents Translation UK Visa: 2026 Guide
South Korea scrapped the hojuje family registry in 2008. Civil records now come as eight set certificate types, issued by the Family Relation Registration System. UK visa applicants must pick the right certificate, and get the name spelling exactly right. This guide walks you through the whole translation process for UKVI and Ecctis.
The Eight Core Korean Certificates
| Certificate (Korean) | What It Shows | UK Visa Use |
|---|---|---|
| 기본증명서 (Basic Certificate) | Birth, nationality, death | Any visa — birth evidence |
| 가족관계증명서 (Family Relation) | Parents, spouse, children | Spouse, dependant visas |
| 혼인관계증명서 (Marriage Certificate) | Marriage history + current status | Spouse visa, marriage evidence |
| 입양관계증명서 (Adoption) | Adoption records | Adopted dependant visa |
| 친양자입양관계증명서 | Full adoption (closed) | Closed adoption evidence |
| 주민등록등본 (Resident Reg) | Address and household composition | Cohabitation evidence |
| 혼인신고접수증 | Marriage registration receipt | Same-day marriage evidence |
| 출생신고접수증 | Birth registration receipt | Newborn dependant evidence |
Detailed vs Brief — Request the Right Version
Each certificate comes in a 일반 (general) and a 상세 (detailed) version. UKVI often asks for the 상세 version, because it lists past entries such as earlier marriages and divorces. Ask for the 상세 version whenever your family history is complicated.
Name Romanisation: Revised vs McCune–Reischauer
South Korea officially uses the Revised Romanisation of Korean (2000). But you choose your own spelling when you first get a Korean passport. So many names use the older McCune–Reischauer style (Kim, Lee, Park) or a family spelling (Yi instead of Lee). Your translation must match the passport exactly, not the official Revised Romanisation.
| Hangul | Revised | McCune–Reischauer | Passport Common |
|---|---|---|---|
| 김 | Gim | Kim | Kim |
| 이 | I | Yi | Lee |
| 박 | Bak | Pak | Park |
| 최 | Choe | Ch'oe | Choi |
Apostille from MOFA Korea
Korea is a Hague Convention member. Get your civil certificates apostilled at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you have them translated, not after. Most local gu, gun and si offices can also issue certificates in English. But UKVI often will not accept those English versions on their own. You usually still need a certified translation from a qualified UK translator.
Academic and Employment Documents
- 졸업증명서 (Graduation Certificate) — Student or Skilled Worker
- 성적증명서 (Academic Transcript) — Ecctis equivalence
- 재직증명서 (Employment Certificate) — Skilled Worker references
- 경력증명서 (Career Certificate) — detailed work history
- 급여명세서 (Payslip) — financial evidence
- 원천징수영수증 (Withholding Tax Receipt) — earnings proof
Chinese Characters on Old Documents
Hojuje documents from before 2008, and some other old certificates, mix hanja (Chinese characters) with hangul. The translator must put both into English, usually as "[Hanja: X meaning Y]". A translator who does not know hanja will miss detail that UKVI officers may ask about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the English version issued directly by the Korean government?
Some gu and gun offices issue English translations. UKVI sometimes accepts them, but often still wants a UK-certified translator statement. A separate certified translation removes that risk.
Do I need both the Basic Certificate and the Family Relation Certificate?
For most family-route visas, yes. The Basic Certificate confirms your birth and nationality. The Family Relation Certificate shows the marriage or parent link you are claiming.
How recent must Korean certificates be?
UKVI normally expects one issued within 3 months. If yours is over 6 months old, you can get a new one quickly from the online Gov.kr portal.
Does a North Korean-origin name differ?
No. North Korean defectors living in South Korea hold South Korean nationality and normal ROK certificates. Their translations follow the same rules as any other South Korean document.
Related Services
Translate Korean Documents
Native Korean translators with UKVI certification expertise.