AsisatGetting a Korean passport renewal in USA is as simple as saying jack! Each Korean citizen’s biometric information is stored on a microchip included in their passport. Biometric information consists of identifying details about an individual, typically relating to his or her physical appearance and behavior. This necessitates an in-person visit to either the Korean embassy or one of its consulates here in the United States to apply for or renew a Korean passport.
The purpose of this is to check your identity and perhaps collect further biometric information. This means that renewing your Korean passport cannot be done through the mail. This also implies that you are not able to have someone else submit your application on your behalf.
Korean Passport Renewal In USA- Cost & How To Apply
If your South Korean passport has to be renewed, the first thing you should do is locate the Korean consulate that has jurisdiction over your current location. That they can help and serve you is what this means. This consulate is normally the closest one to your location. Washington is home to Korea’s embassy. There are a further 10 consulates of Korea across the world. You can find these consulates in:
- New York
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- Boston
- Chicago
- Seattle
- Hagatna
- Honolulu
- Houston
- Atlanta
Here you may research the area of authority and contact information for each consulate. If you need to renew your South Korean passport, you should first contact or visit the consulate in question to find out its policies, hours of operation, and whether or not an interview is required.
Necessary Paperwork
Obtaining a passport requires the completion of an application, which you can get from the website of the relevant consulate. If not, then you should get in touch with your consulate and ask them to mail you one. If that isn’t how they do things, you can fill out an application while waiting for your interview at the embassy. To complete your application at the Korean embassy or consulate, you’ll also need the following documents:
Your current South Korean passport that has expired.
A passport photograph
A photocopy of documentation establishing U.S. residency, such as a green card, work permit, visa stamp, etc.
If necessary, a photocopy of a familial relationship document (your consulate can tell you this)
Fee for obtaining a passport
Please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope so that your replacement passport can be sent back to you by express mail.
Make sure your passport photo for your South Korean passport application won’t be rejected
When applying for a passport, many people neglect to properly prepare their passport photos and instead treat them as an afterthought. Unfortunately, you’re wrong about this. If your passport photo doesn’t seem right, your entire passport application could be denied. Always remember these things:
Images must be 2 inches by 2 inches to fit in a passport.
Candidates must have their eyes and mouth closed and look directly into the camera (natural expression)
For best results, take photos on a white, shadow-free background.
All facial features, including those of the applicant, must be clearly visible.
You can go online and look for more instructions about that.
South Korean Passport Fees
There is a $53 charge to obtain a passport at the Korean embassy or consulate. After the passport has been processed, the applicant should go back to the consulate or embassy to pick it up. Passport applicants who want a return by mail must notify the passport officer of this preference and sign a waiver at the time of application. In addition, a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope that can be tracked must be provided.
If you live in a country where visiting the Korean embassy is not too much of a hassle, applying for a South Korean passport should be a breeze.
Confirmation of Passport Receipt
The e-passport application process currently takes around three to four weeks due to the high volume of requests. Your new passport will be ready for signing and pickup once processing is complete. At the time of application, you will be requested to sign a waiver if you know you won’t be able to pick up your passport at the embassy.
If you’d like your passport returned to you through the mail after being processed, you must let the passport officer know. Your passport can be mailed to you for an additional fee, but you must submit a self-addressed, stamped Express mail envelope for its return. We cannot accept plain envelopes without tracking information.
Conclusion
Republic of Korea citizens now have access to a more secure electronic passport (e-passport) thanks to new legislation passed by the country’s government. In July 2008, the e-passport became mandatory for all passport applications and renewals.