[US Life] What To Do After U.S. Citizenship Acquisition

미국시민권을 취득한 후 해야할 절차 총 정리

Things To Do After U.S. Citizenship Acquisition

 

After receiving the "Certificate of Citizenship" at the U.S.Citizenship ceremony, there are additional procedures to proceed. It would be nice to receive only a certificate of citizenship at the swearing-in ceremony and complete all administrative procedures, but after this, important procedures must be done directly by the individual.

 

 

First of all, if you participated in the oath ceremony and received the citizenship certificate, you should proceed with 3 additional things. Since this is an essential part of the U.S. administrative process, we recommend doing it without delay. 

 

 

1. Apply for a U.S. passport (visit to a nearby post office - obligation)

2. Renewing Social Security Number (direct visit to the Social Security office nearby - Mandatory)

3. Apply for voting rights (direct visit, mail, online - recommended)

 

 

In addition, the Korean administrative process of reporting loss of nationality should be carried out in principle, and if necessary, the visa for overseas Koreans (F-4) and the application for residence certificate can be carried out as well. 

 

 

1. U.S. Passport Application and Issuance

After the citizenship oath ceremony, even if you don't plan to go abroad right away, it's very important to obtain a U.S. passport. If you look at the "Welcome Packet" distributed at the civil rights oath ceremony in almost every state, the passport application is enclosed. If you don't have it or you lose it, you can download it at any time from the www.state.gov website (Form DS-11). 

 

To apply for a passport, you need to go to the post office and apply for it.

(1). Preparation of a completed passport application document (DS-11) (Signature spaces should be left blank because they are done in front of the person in charge when submitting the document.)

(2). Passport photo x2 (CVS can be taken with Self Service)

(3). Original Certificate of Civil Rights

(4). Fees (refer to the government website that calculates fees / No credit cards, only check, money order, debit card)   

*(Optional) If you want the express procedure, you can proceed with an additional fee. You should tell the person in charge when submitting the document. I also applied for an express because I have an overseas business trip scheduled. It came out quickly and was confirmed quickly, so I personally felt that I did a good job even after paying extra.

 

(5) A document to identify yourself (ex. driver's license) 

 

 

  Submit the application form and pay for all expenses. You also have to submit the original copy of the citizenship certificate you carried with you. Don't worry too much about it, as it will be re-encomposed when the U.S. passport is delivered by parcel post. In some states, passports are delivered first, and within a few days, the original copy of the citizenship certificate is delivered separately. I thought the original passport and citizenship certificate were coming together, so I was worried if something was wrong when the passport was sent first, so you don't have to worry. Within a few days, the certificate of citizenship came right away.
Usually it takes about five to six weeks, but if you apply for an express procedure, your passport will arrive with your citizenship certificate in about two to three weeks. 

 

 

 

 

2. Renew of Social Security Number

Once you have received your passport, you must visit your local Social Security office with your American passport or citizenship certificate and renew your Social Security status as an American citizen. It is recommended that you fill out the renewal application form (form SS-5) / in advance, as you have to visit in person, and it usually takes a long time to wait due to high administrative and civil complaints. In my VA, there are so many people waiting inside the office, so they block the entrance so that they can't enter the room, they control the number of people waiting inside. This was a bit absurd, but I waited outside for a while.

 

(1) Go to the office and register that you are here to change the Social Security Status after the citizenship oath ceremony, and wait your turn.

(2). When it's your turn, follow the office and submit the prepared documents. (Request time approximately 10 minutes)

- Social Security Renewal Application (Form SS-5)
- Evidence of Age, Identity (Identification to prove one's age and identity: passport, driver's license, etc.)
- Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (Certificate of Citizenship)

(3). The SSN renewal administrative registration process will be completed automatically after 1 Business Day by receiving and archiving a certificate of change to Social Security. 

 

Form SS-5

Social Security Change of Information

                                                          

 

 

3. Application for the Right to Vote

The application for the right to vote is also included in the Welcome Packet, which comes out during the citizenship oath ceremony. It varies slightly from state to state, but it's easy to explain online, so it's not a big deal. There are various application methods as shown below, but I applied online, and a few days later, the voting certificate letter was sent by mail.

 

(1). Apply online (see VA Note link)
(2). Apply to Mail
(3). Application by direct visit.

 

 

 

4. Loss of Nationality

(1). A person who has lost his or her Korean nationality shall report his or her loss of nationality along with his or her loss of nationality report to the Ministry of Justice's national affairs office, immigration office, or overseas missions (the embassy or consulate general).

 

(2). Required Documents (see link)

 

1). Attach one photo after filling out the nationality loss report (one original copy, one copy)
2). Two copies of U.S. citizenship
3). Two copies of U.S. passports
4) Two family relation certificates of the applicant's own (no original copy required)
5). Applicant's two basic certificates (no original copy required)
6). If the Korean name of the family relationship (basic) certificate is not in the name of the U.S. citizenship, two documents of the same person (e.g., a copy of the Petition for name change, marriage certificate, etc.)
7). There is no fee.
8). Return envelope (English name, address, stamp attached) 

  Korea strictly adopts monolithicism, except for those aged 65 or older who have returned to Korea. According to Article 15 of the Nationality Act, "Any person who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality as a citizen of the Republic of Korea loses his or her Korean nationality when he or she acquires that foreign nationality, and is obliged to file a loss of nationality under Article 16 (1) of the same Act." 

 

 

 

5. F-4 Visa

The qualification for overseas Koreans is a newly established status for foreign nationals who are subject to the Overseas Koreans Act to receive special benefits in entering and staying in Korea. This will be issued only if foreign nationals want it and will be given a two-year stay due to a valid five-year multiple investigation certificate. All employment activities in Korea are allowed except for simple labor and gambling activities. However, even permitted employment activities must be qualified when certain prices are required (lawyers, doctors, etc.) by domestic law.

 

※ After 2018.5.1, if a Korean man who has not fulfilled his military duty leaves his Korean nationality or loses his Korean nationality, the issuance of overseas Korean visas will be restricted until January 1 of the year he turns 41 years old.

 

1. As the Act on Entry and Exit and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans goes into effect in 2018.5.1, the issuance of overseas Korean visas will be restricted to 12.31 years of age when Koreans leave or lose their Korean nationality after 2018.5.1 without fulfilling their military duty.

2. If you have already left Korea before the enforcement date of the revised law of 2018.5.1, or if you have obtained U.S. citizenship, you can issue a visa for overseas Koreans as you are now.

     o Departure from nationality: When the Minister of Justice accepts a report of departure from nationality;
     o Loss of nationality: Date of citizenship acquisition on the U.S. citizenship certificate
     o However, in the case of women who do not have military service obligations, a visa for overseas Koreans is issued in the same manner as it is now. 

 

(1). Application required documents (see link)

 

1). An application for visa issuance

2). 1 photo

※ Specifications are 2"X2", the color photo in front of it should be within the last 6 months without wearing a hat, hood or colored glasses. Scanning your computer or color copy is not allowed.

3). Passport and one copy of passport (photo)

4) A copy of the U.S. Citizenship

※ If the basic certificate differs from the U.S. citizenship certificate, please submit additional documents (ex. Petition For Name Change)

5). Each copy of the family relation certificate and basic certificate (must be registered as national loss)
※ 1 copy of the registration copy of the person who reported loss of nationality before January 1, 2008
※ If you do not report a loss of nationality, you must go to this website, territorial affairs, and nationality and prepare the documents according to the instructions.
※ In the case of a person whose parents or grandparents withheld Korean nationality: Add a copy of the parent or grandparents' documents and birth certificate of the United States of America, which have been reported to have lost their nationality.

6). Fee: $45 (Check, Money Order Only, cash payable on direct visit)
※ Money order payment address is Korean Consult General / Fees cannot be returned even if visa application is canceled or not issued.)

7). Return Letter w/ Stamp
※ If you apply by mail, write down the name and address of the recipient and recommend safe types of mail (USPS Express, Certified Mail, etc.) since the consulate is not responsible for the loss of mail. 

 

 

 

6. Certificate of Residence

  The certificate of residence is an identification card that allows overseas Koreans of Korean nationality or foreign nationality residing in Korea to enjoy virtually all of the rights that the Republic of Korea can enjoy, except for the right to vote. If you have a certificate of residence, you can easily open a bank account and obtain a driver's license under the Overseas Koreans Act, and if you stay more than 90 days after obtaining a certificate of residence, you can also subscribe to medical insurance. Furthermore, you can buy and sell real estate and open a middle-right account.

Of course, it is not mandatory to apply for a certificate of residence even if you stay for a long time, but if you acquire it, you can enjoy the same rights as Koreans in many ways.

Applicants who wish to apply must apply for a certificate of residence for foreign nationals in Korea according to their nationality and for citizens, a certificate of residence for overseas Koreans in Korea must be required to apply for a certificate of residence for overseas Koreans. For reference, 'foreign nationality' means a person who has a nationality of the Republic of Korea or who has obtained a foreign nationality as a direct descendant.

*Required documents for residence registration: declaration, passport copy, visa copy, and two photos
*Receipt request letter format

총영사관 국적상실 담당자분께.docx

0.01MB