Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The most common questions about Korean passport English name decisions.
- Q1. Should I use Kim or Gim on my passport?
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially recognizes Kim as an accepted conventional spelling. The strict 2000 standard would be Gim, but Kim has been used internationally for over 100 years and maintains better continuity for family records and overseas documents.
- Q2. For the surname Lee (이), which is correct: Lee, Yi, or Rhee?
- Lee is the most widely accepted conventional spelling. The 2000 standard gives "I," but Yi, Rhee, Ree, and Li are also accepted variants. The key factor is consistency with how other family members' names are registered.
- Q3. Can I put a space in my given name (e.g., Gil Dong)?
- A space is not recommended. The 2000 standard allows GILDONG (no separator) or GIL-DONG (hyphen). A space like GIL DONG may cause airlines to treat the second part as a middle name, which can create issues with ticket bookings.
- Q4. Does my airline ticket have to match my passport exactly?
- Yes, absolutely. The name on your ticket must match your passport exactly, including hyphens. Airlines may automatically convert hyphens to spaces or remove them, so if there is a mismatch, contact the airline immediately to correct it.
- Q5. What if parents and children use different surname spellings?
- Different spellings can create problems for visa applications, family-based entry, and school enrollment abroad — you may be asked for an official English translation of your family register. It is strongly recommended to unify spellings at first issuance.
- Q6. Should the syllable "선" be romanized as Seon or Sun?
- The 2000 standard is Seon, but many people choose Sun for better recognition by English speakers. Sun has the advantage of being an English word, though it may be misread as a feminine name. Base your decision on personal preference and family usage.
- Q7. Can I change my passport English name after issuance?
- In principle, no. Changes are only permitted for limited reasons such as correcting a typo, unifying a surname with family members, or adding a foreign spouse's surname. A change request form and supporting documentation are required, and may be rejected if you have travel history.
- Q8. Can I add my foreign spouse's surname to my passport after marriage?
- Yes. Under the Passport Act Enforcement Decree, you may add a foreign spouse's family name to your English name (e.g., KIM LEE SOO-YEON). An English translation of your marriage certificate is required.
- Q9. Can I include Chinese characters (hanja) in my passport?
- Since 2023, hanja is not included by default. If you need it for travel to China, Taiwan, or similar countries, you can request it separately, but it is not recommended for general travel purposes.
- Q10. Where can I look up hanja for my name?
- Only hanja listed in the Supreme Court's approved personal name character list (approximately 8,142 characters as of 2024) can be registered in the family register. Use the Hanja Lookup tab on this site to find common options by syllable, including meanings and stroke counts.
- Q11. Can I split my given name into First and Middle on foreign forms?
- The passport name field is a single unified entry. However, when filling out foreign forms (visas, bank accounts, school applications), you can split the name yourself as First and Middle. Typically the first syllable goes in First Name and the second in Middle Name.
- Q12. What if my given name is only one syllable (single character)?
- The rules are the same. Example: 홍단 → HONG DAN. There is no special rule for single-syllable given names — they follow the same romanization as two-syllable names.
- Q13. How do I romanize a compound surname (두 글자 성, e.g., 남궁)?
- Compound surnames like Namgung, Seonwoo, Sagong, Dokgo, Jegal, and Hwangbo are written as one word. Example: 남궁민수 → NAMKUNG MINSU. Splitting compound surnames (NAM KUNG) is non-standard.
- Q14. If I legally change my name, do my hanja and English name change too?
- Yes. Once a court approves a name change, the family register is updated and a new passport is issued with the new name. Your existing passport is invalidated and you can choose a new romanization for the new name.