Administrative Info

Certificate of seal impression

HOME Administrative Info Certificate of seal impression

In South Korea, a registered seal and certificate of seal impression are required for financial transactions (real estate transactions, bank loans, etc.). The seal used for financial transactions must be identical to the registered seal. This registration of an official seal helps protect the legal rights and properties of each individual involved in a legal transaction. Only one seal may be registered per person, and a copy of the seal cannot be used. The loss or negligence of a registered seal may lead to serious consequences. You are strongly advised not to lend your seal to others. Foreigners are allowed to make and register a seal to carry out commercial transactions in South Korea. Foreigners residing in Yongsan-gu may register their seal at the community service center with jurisdiction over their address of residence.

Registration of Seal Impression

  • Required Documents
    • ① Alien Registration Card or Overseas Korean Resident Card
    • ② Passport
    • ③ Seal (the width and length of which shall be between 7 mm and 30 mm)
  • Location: Community service center with jurisdiction over the individual’s address of residence
  • Fee: None

Change of Seal

  • Required Documents
    • ① Alien Registration Card or Overseas Korean Resident Card
    • ② Passport
    • ③ Seal (the width and length of which shall be between 7 mm and 30 mm)
  • Location: Community service center with jurisdiction over the individual’s address of residence
  • Fee: KRW 600

Restrictions

  • The width and length of the seal shall be between 7 mm and 30 mm.
  • Seals made of copper plates, rubber, or other materials that can easily be changed, cannot be used.
  • The name on the seal shall be the same as the name on the Alien Registration Card.
  • Seals with the name written in Korean may be used as well.
  • In principle, only the letters used in the name on the Alien Registration Card may be used for the seal. Company names and/or titles (such as CEO or Lawyer) cannot be used (Article 10-3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Certification of Seal Imprint Act.
  • Chinese characters and symbols denoting the phonetic pronunciation of Chinese characters cannot be registered.
  • Seals that are worn or severely damaged cannot be registered (Article 10 of the Enforcement Decree of the Certification of Seal Imprint Act).
  • A minor may not register a seal without the consent of a legal guardian.

Registration of Certificate of Seal Impression

  • In person
    • ① Place of Registration: City hall, county office, district office or community service center
    • ② Required Documents: Alien Registration Card or Overseas Korean Resident Card
    • ③ Fee: KRW 600 per copy
  • By proxy (when the principal agent is currently located in South Korea)
    • ① Where to Apply: City hall, county office, district office, or community service center
    • ② Required Documents
      • Power of Attorney (signed or sealed by the principal agent)
      • Alien Registration Card or Overseas Korean Resident Card of the principal agent
      • ID card of the proxy
  • By proxy (when the principal agent is currently located overseas)
    • ① Place of registration: City hall, county office, district office or community service center
    • ② Required Documents
      • Power of Attorney confirmed by the diplomatic establishment abroad (signed or sealed by the principal agent)
      • Alien Registration Card or Overseas Korean Resident Card of the principal agent
      • ID card of the proxy
  • Proxy for the Issuance of the Certificate of Seal Impression
    • In the ‘date’ section, enter the date that the proxy was consigned by the principal agent.
  • Foreigners whose period of stay has expired may not register a Certificate of Seal Impression.