Overview:

To obtain a marriage certificate as an Indian citizen residing in South Korea through the Indian Embassy in Seoul, the process involves two main steps: registering your marriage with the local Korean authorities and then reporting the marriage to the Indian Embassy for consular records.

List of Documents to be submitted along with the application-

• Duly filled-in notice for intended Marriage Form.

• Declaration form to be submitted in duplicate by both the prospective bride and groom.

• Sworn affidavit to be submitted in duplicate by each party.

• Two identical recent passport-size photographs of each party. At least one must hold a valid residence visa for South Korea.

• Three witnesses with valid residence visas for South Korea; at least two must be Indian nationals. Each must present their original passport and a photocopy.

• If one party is not an Indian citizen, they must provide a No Objection Certificate or affidavit regarding their marital status and consent to marry an Indian. This must be apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Korea.

• Bachelorhood affidavit must be submitted in person by the applicant for apostille/attestation. Alternatively, a bachelorhood certificate from the SDM/Tahsildar of the applicant’s jurisdiction may be used for apostille/attestation.

• All five individuals (couple + 3 witnesses) must appear in person before the Marriage Officer with original passports and photocopies at the time of form submission and at the time of marriage solemnization. Passport photocopies are required only during form submission.

• After submitting the application, both individuals must publish a marriage notice in a local English newspaper in South Korea and an English newspaper in India (or the country of their permanent residence as per passport).

• If divorced in India: a decree of divorce apostilled in India is required.

• If divorced in South Korea: a divorce certificate with a legal translation, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice, Government of South Korea, is required.

• Misc. Form

Fees Details

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. What is a Marriage Certificate issued by the Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC)?
   A Marriage Certificate issued by ICAC serves as a legal document verifying the marriage of Indian nationals residing in South Korea as per Indian law.
2. Who can apply for a Marriage Certificate at ICAC in South Korea?
   Indian nationals who have registered their marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act, Special Marriage Act, or any other applicable Indian law can apply for a Marriage Certificate at ICAC.
3. Can the Marriage Certificate be issued if the marriage was conducted in South Korea?
   No, the Marriage Certificate issued by ICAC is based on marriages registered in India. Marriages conducted in South Korea must be registered with the local authorities.
4. How long does it take to process the Marriage Certificate?
   Processing typically takes 5-7 working days after submission of all required documents and verification.
5. Is the Marriage Certificate issued by ICAC valid internationally?
   Yes, the Marriage Certificate issued by ICAC can be used internationally, but it may need to be apostilled for legal recognition in other countries.
6. Can a Marriage Certificate be issued for a marriage conducted under Islamic or Christian laws?
   Yes, as long as the marriage is registered under a recognized Indian law, such as the Special Marriage Act, a certificate can be issued.
7. What is the fee for obtaining a Marriage Certificate?
   The fee varies based on the number of copies and processing time. Applicants can refer to the ICAC fee schedule for the latest information.
8. Can I apply for a Marriage Certificate if my spouse is not an Indian national?
   Yes, but you will need to provide additional documentation, such as a notarized declaration and proof of the spouse’s nationality.
9. Can I apply for a duplicate Marriage Certificate in case the original is lost?
   Yes, a duplicate Marriage Certificate can be issued upon submission of a police report and a formal request explaining the loss.
10. Can the Marriage Certificate be issued in both English and Korean?
    ICAC generally issues the certificate in English, but applicants can request a Korean translation, which may incur additional charges.
11. Can a Marriage Certificate be issued retrospectively for marriages conducted several years ago?
    Yes, as long as the marriage was legally registered in India and sufficient documentation is provided, ICAC can issue a certificate retrospectively.