When you get a new passport or change school or employer, the details on your registration card no longer match reality. If you do not file a change report within 15 days, you can be fined. This is a different duty from the residence change report you file when you move, so it is easy to miss. This guide covers who must report, how, and the fines for being late.
Key points
- A registered foreign national must file a change report with the office for their place of residence within 15 days when registered details change (Article 35).
- It covers (1) name, sex, date of birth and nationality, (2) passport number, issue date and validity, and (3) matters set by Ministry of Justice rule.
- Violation can bring a fine of up to KRW 1 million (as of October 2026, Article 100(2), item 1).
- The report on moving house (Article 36) is a separate duty. See the residence change report guide as well.
1. Which changes must be reported?
Article 35 sets these reportable items.
- Name, sex, date of birth and nationality
- Passport number, issue date and validity period
- Matters set by Ministry of Justice rule
Enforcement Rule Article 49-2 lists for item 3:
- A change of or addition to the institution or organization (including a name change) for holders of Culture and Arts (D-1), Study (D-2), and General Training (D-4) through Trade Management (D-9)
- A change in school enrollment
- The start of training or a change of training institution for Job Seeking (D-10) holders
- The first start of work, or a change of individual or business employing, for Visiting Employment (H-2) holders
- A change of occupation or annual income (for the relevant holders only)
Examples include receiving a new passport, a student changing school, or your employer changing its name. This is separate from permits or reports for workplace change or addition (Article 21); see the guide on activities outside status and your office's guidance to tell which applies.
2. How to report
Under Enforcement Decree Article 44, submit a change report form with your registration card and passport to the office head for your place of residence. On receipt the head updates the record and, if name, sex, date of birth or nationality changed, reissues the registration card and notifies the local government office. Booking methods and extra documents may differ by office, so check before visiting.
3. What if you are late?
Article 100(2), item 1 provides a fine of up to KRW 1 million for violating Article 35 (as of October 2026). Enforcement Decree Annex 2 standards depend on how late you are.
| How late | Standard fine |
|---|---|
| Under 3 months | KRW 100,000 |
| 3 to under 6 months | KRW 300,000 |
| 6 months to under 1 year | KRW 500,000 |
| 1 year or more | KRW 1 million |
The Minister of Justice may waive the fine considering age, circumstances, motive, result and ability to pay (Article 100(5)). The office head imposes the fine (Article 100(4)); if you receive one, check the notice for how and by when to object. A similar procedure is described in the fine notice response guide.
4. Checklist before reporting
- Confirm the date of the change. The 15 days run from the date of change.
- Confirm the new details with documents. A new passport, a school change confirmation or employer change papers may be needed.
- Bring your registration card and passport together. Both go with the form.
- Book a visit to the office for your place of residence. Go to the office with jurisdiction over it.
- If you are already late, report right away. The standard amount rises with the delay.
5. What an administrative scrivener can do
We prepare and submit change report forms, check whether a change is reportable, translate foreign documents, and draft an explanation if you receive a fine notice. Investigation and criminal trial defense after a complaint is outside the scope of an administrative scrivener and we do not handle it.
If your passport or affiliation changed recently, start by counting the days. If 15 days have already passed, check how to report now.