South Korean nationals who act as directors or people with significant control, known as PSCs, of UK companies must complete Companies House identity verification.

The deadline depends on the person’s role and when Companies House recorded that role.

After a successful identity check, Companies House issues an 11-character personal code. The code belongs to the individual rather than to one company.

Therefore, the same personal code can be used for every UK company where the person acts as a director or PSC. However, it must be connected separately to each company appointment and role.

Quick Answer for South Korean Directors and PSCs

For most South Korean nationals, a valid Republic of Korea biometric passport provides the clearest Group A identity document.

A current physical South Korean driving licence may also provide Group A evidence under a person-led Option 2 check. However, the exact licence must match a model listed on PRADO and pass the required validity and document checks.

By contrast, the South Korean Resident Registration Card does not currently appear on PRADO. Therefore, it should not automatically replace the formal Companies House document combination.

Mobile versions of the Resident Registration Card and driving licence may support the wider identity review. Nevertheless, applicants should not rely on them as the formal evidence unless they clearly fall within a published Companies House category.

For a person-led remote check through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, or ACSP, the applicant normally needs either:

• two Group A photographic identity documents; or
• one Group A photographic identity document and one Group B supporting document.

The most practical combinations for South Korean directors and PSCs are often:

• South Korean passport and PRADO-listed physical South Korean driving licence;
• South Korean passport and UK photocard driving licence;
• South Korean passport and eligible UK immigration document;
• South Korean passport and bank statement;
• South Korean passport and utility bill;
• South Korean passport and mortgage statement;
• South Korean passport and insurance policy;
• South Korean passport and official birth evidence;
• South Korean passport and official marriage evidence; or
• one South Korean biometric passport through a suitable technology-led Option 1 process.

Direct answer: The strongest person-led route will usually use a South Korean passport together with either an exact PRADO-listed physical driving licence or an accepted Group B supporting document.

South Korean Identity Documents at a Glance

The position differs according to the document.

South Korean Passport

A current biometric passport:

• provides Group A evidence;
• may work through GOV.UK One Login;
• may qualify under technology-led Option 1;
• may be used under person-led Option 2; and
• provides direct evidence of South Korean nationality.

Resident Registration Card

A physical Resident Registration Card:

• is an important South Korean government identity document;
• contains a photograph and personal information;
• can support the wider review;
• does not currently appear on PRADO; and
• should not automatically replace the formal Group A or Group B combination.

South Korean Driving Licence

A physical South Korean driving licence:

• may provide Group A evidence under person-led Option 2;
• must match an exact PRADO-listed model;
• must remain current;
• does not prove South Korean nationality by itself; and
• does not fall within the Option 1 category for UK and EU driving licences.

Mobile Identity Documents

A mobile Resident Registration Card or mobile driving licence:

• has official domestic use in South Korea;
• may assist with supplementary checks;
• should be displayed live rather than through a screenshot; and
• should not replace the accepted physical document combination for Companies House.

Family and Civil-Status Certificates

An official certificate from South Korea’s Family Relations Registration System may potentially provide Group B evidence where it clearly performs the function of a birth or marriage certificate.

However, the ACSP must review the exact certificate type and its contents.

Republic of Korea Biometric Passports

The Republic of Korea ordinary passport provides the strongest and clearest identity-verification route for most South Korean directors and PSCs.

The current passport is:

• biometric;
• machine-readable;
• issued to Republic of Korea nationals;
• protected by physical and electronic security features; and
• suitable for both technology-led and person-led identity checks.

Current South Korean Passport Model

The current ordinary passport model is:

KOR-AO-04001

The Republic of Korea first issued this model on 21 December 2021.

PRADO records that it:

• is an ordinary passport;
• is issued to Republic of Korea nationals;
• remains a valid document model;
• has maximum validity of ten years;
• has a blue cover;
• contains an integrated personal-details card;
• contains a black-and-white primary photograph;
• contains a colour secondary image;
• contains a transparent window;
• contains a hologram;
• contains optically variable ink;
• contains a variable laser image; and
• includes ultraviolet security features.

South Korean Passport Page Options

Republic of Korea multiple-use passports can be issued with:

• 26 pages; or
• 58 pages.

A short-validity multiple-use passport may be limited to the 26-page format.

The number of pages does not affect the passport’s identity status. However, the ACSP should still inspect the exact physical document presented.

South Korean Passport Validity

The current ordinary passport model has maximum validity of ten years.

However, the individual validity period depends on matters such as:

• the applicant’s age;
• whether the passport is multiple-use or single-use;
• the reason for issue;
• restrictions applying to the holder; and
• whether the passport was issued as an emergency or short-validity document.

Always check the printed expiry date rather than assuming that every passport has ten-year validity.

The Blue Passport

The current passport has a blue cover.

This helps distinguish it from the previous green Republic of Korea passport generation.

It also has a polycarbonate personal-details card rather than the earlier laminated paper biodata page.

Because of these improvements, the current passport usually provides the clearest route for:

• chip reading;
• facial comparison;
• security-feature inspection;
• identity document validation technology; and
• remote video verification.

Previous Green South Korean Passport

The previous relevant ordinary passport model is:

KOR-AO-03002

It was first issued on 25 August 2008.

PRADO records that this passport:

• has a green cover;
• contains 48 pages;
• has maximum validity of ten years;
• cannot be extended;
• contains a colour facial image;
• contains a secondary ultraviolet image;
• contains optically variable ink;
• contains ultraviolet printing; and
• remains listed as a valid document model.

Can an Older Green Passport Still Be Used?

Potentially.

An individual green passport may provide Group A evidence where:

• its printed expiry date has not passed;
• it has not been cancelled;
• it has not been replaced;
• it was not reported lost or stolen;
• its photograph remains suitable;
• its personal-details page remains clear;
• it remains in good condition; and
• its details match the applicant’s current identity.

The fact that South Korea now issues blue passports does not automatically invalidate every unexpired green passport.

However, if the holder has already received a replacement blue passport, the older green passport must not be used as the current identity document.

Much Older South Korean Passports

PRADO also lists earlier passport models, including KOR-AO-02001 and KOR-AO-01001.

These older designs will usually be relevant only as historical or linking evidence in 2026.

They may help connect:

• a former name;
• a previous passport number;
• an earlier photograph;
• a previous Romanised spelling;
• old visas; or
• earlier immigration records.

They should not be treated as current identity evidence unless the individual document still falls within a specific Companies House passport-expiry exception.

South Korean Passports Issued in London

A South Korean national living in the United Kingdom may apply for passport services through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London.

A passport issued after an overseas application remains a Republic of Korea passport.

It is not a lower-status document merely because the holder applied outside South Korea.

The verifier should check:

• exact passport model;
• passport number;
• date of issue;
• expiry date;
• biometric-passport symbol;
• chip functionality;
• personal-details page;
• machine-readable zone;
• facial image;
• physical condition;
• observation pages;
• any additional name information; and
• whether another passport has replaced it.

Using a South Korean Passport With GOV.UK One Login

A South Korean national can normally try the GOV.UK One Login app using a current biometric passport.

The app route generally requires the applicant to:

1. photograph the passport’s personal-details page;
2. scan the biometric chip;
3. scan their face;
4. complete a live identity comparison; and
5. answer any remaining identity questions.

The original physical passport must be used.

The app does not accept:

• a photocopy;
• a scanned PDF;
• a screenshot;
• a passport photograph displayed on another device;
• a passport number without the passport;
• a cancelled passport;
• a replaced passport; or
• an expired passport.

What If the Passport Chip Cannot Be Read?

A failed chip scan does not automatically mean that the passport is false or invalid.

First, the applicant may try to:

• remove the phone case;
• confirm that near-field communication is active;
• move the phone slowly across the passport cover;
• place the phone over a different part of the passport;
• retry the scan; or
• use another compatible phone.

Where the app still cannot read the passport, an ACSP route may remain available.

For example, the passport may work:

• through another identity-document validation platform; or
• through a person-led Option 2 video check.

Expired South Korean Passports

An expired South Korean passport may still work in limited ACSP cases.

Technology-Led Option 1

A biometric or machine-readable passport may be up to six months expired where the identity-checking technology can still validate the relevant cryptographic features.

Person-Led Option 2

A passport may be up to 18 months expired.

However, the passport must not have been:

• cancelled;
• replaced;
• reported lost or stolen;
• cut or perforated;
• physically invalidated;
• seriously damaged; or
• altered.

A current passport will normally provide a simpler route.

Cancelled and Replaced South Korean Passports

A passport cannot be used after it has been cancelled or replaced by a newer passport.

This remains the case even where the earlier passport:

• has not reached its printed expiry date;
• remains physically intact;
• contains a readable chip;
• still contains valid visas;
• has been returned to the holder; or
• shows a former name that the person still uses professionally.

The earlier passport may help connect a former name or previous passport number.

However, it cannot provide the current formal identity evidence.

Lost and Stolen South Korean Passports

A passport reported lost or stolen should not be used.

This remains the case even if the holder later recovers it.

The document may already have been:

• cancelled;
• recorded as lost;
• entered into national or international databases;
• replaced; or
• made legally invalid.

Use the current replacement passport.

Damaged South Korean Passports

Damage requires careful review, especially where it affects:

• the integrated personal-details card;
• the primary photograph;
• the secondary image;
• passport number;
• machine-readable zone;
• expiry date;
• transparent window;
• biometric chip;
• binding; or
• observation pages.

A damaged chip may prevent a technology-led check.

Nevertheless, a person-led check may still be possible where:

• the passport remains legally valid;
• the physical security features can be inspected;
• the applicant matches the photograph;
• the personal information remains readable; and
• there is no sign of alteration.

Republic of Korea Emergency Passport

PRADO lists the current emergency passport under:

KOR-AP-04001

The Republic of Korea first issued this model on 6 July 2021.

An emergency passport may have:

• short validity;
• limited travel use;
• fewer electronic features;
• no compatible chip;
• special issue conditions; or
• a requirement for later replacement.

A current emergency passport may potentially provide passport evidence.

However, the ACSP must review:

• exact document model;
• reason for issue;
• holder’s nationality;
• current validity;
• photograph;
• security features;
• territorial restrictions;
• whether an ordinary passport later replaced it; and
• whether the issuing authority cancelled it.

A current ordinary biometric passport will normally provide a clearer route.

South Korean Resident Registration Card

The South Korean Resident Registration Card is called:

주민등록증

It is a central domestic identity document for Republic of Korea citizens.

South Korean law requires the card to contain information including:

• the holder’s name;
• identification photograph;
• Resident Registration Number;
• registered address;
• fingerprints;
• date of issue; and
• issuing authority.

The card is issued through the resident-registration system to eligible citizens aged 17 or over.

Can the Resident Registration Card Provide Group A Evidence?

Do not rely on the South Korean Resident Registration Card as one of the two formal documents under the current Companies House person-led route.

Companies House allows another photographic identity document listed on PRADO to provide Group A evidence.

However, PRADO’s current Republic of Korea page lists:

• passports;
• emergency passports;
• travel documents; and
• two driving-licence models.

It does not currently contain a Resident Registration Card category.

Therefore:

The Resident Registration Card may provide strong supplementary evidence, but it should not automatically replace the formal passport, driving licence or Group B document combination.

How the Resident Registration Card Can Support the Review

Although it is not automatically Group A, the card may help confirm:

• current Korean name;
• photograph;
• date of birth;
• Resident Registration Number;
• registered address;
• current citizenship identity;
• issuing authority;
• current or former name;
• consistency with the passport; and
• consistency with family-registration records.

Applicants should send clear images of the front and reverse only where the verifier requests them.

During the video call, they may also need to show the original physical card.

Protecting the Resident Registration Number

The full Resident Registration Number is highly sensitive.

Therefore, applicants should not send or publish the complete number unless the verifier specifically requires it for a lawful and necessary check.

In many cases, the passport, date of birth and supporting documents will provide the required identity evidence without unnecessary disclosure of the complete number.

Why the Resident Registration Card Does Not Qualify Under Option 1

Companies House limits the Option 1 identity-card category to biometric identity cards issued by:

• an EU country;
• Norway;
• Iceland; or
• Liechtenstein.

South Korea is not included.

Therefore, the Resident Registration Card does not qualify through this category merely because it:

• contains a photograph;
• is government issued;
• contains fingerprints;
• is connected with biometric information;
• can be checked through South Korean systems;
• has a mobile version; or
• is widely accepted within South Korea.

A South Korean national can instead use a biometric or machine-readable passport under Option 1.

Old, Damaged and Replaced Resident Registration Cards

Do not rely on a Resident Registration Card that:

• was reported lost;
• was reported stolen;
• has been replaced;
• is seriously damaged;
• has an unreadable photograph;
• has been altered;
• no longer reflects the current legal name; or
• cannot be matched reliably to the holder.

South Korean authorities allow replacement where an old card has become difficult to use because of damage or changes in the holder’s appearance.

An earlier card may still provide historical information. However, the current replacement card should be used for any supplementary review.

Mobile Resident Registration Card

South Korea now offers a Mobile Resident Registration Card.

The mobile card has the same legal validity as the physical Resident Registration Card for domestic South Korean purposes. It is accepted by government services, banks and other institutions.

The service became available nationwide in 2025. Citizens can obtain it through the relevant government application and local administrative services.

Can the Mobile Resident Registration Card Replace the Physical Card?

Do not rely on the mobile card as the formal Companies House Group A or Group B document.

The mobile credential:

• does not appear separately on PRADO;
• is not a passport;
• is not a UK or EU driving licence;
• is not a listed birth or marriage certificate; and
• is outside the specified Option 1 identity-card countries.

An ACSP may still review the live mobile card as supplementary evidence.

For example, it may help confirm:

• current identity details;
• photograph;
• control of the mobile credential;
• consistency with the physical card;
• current registered address; and
• current government identity status.

Mobile Card Validity

The mobile Resident Registration Card is normally limited to one smartphone and has a three-year validity cycle.

After the mobile credential expires, the holder must renew or reissue it through the relevant process.

Do Not Use a Screenshot

A screenshot does not provide the same security as a live mobile identity credential.

Do not rely only on:

• screenshot;
• screen recording;
• photograph of another phone;
• printed mobile card;
• copied QR code;
• exported image; or
• typed personal details.

Where the mobile card supports the review, the applicant should open the live official application during the video call.

Resident Registration Number

The Resident Registration Number is a South Korean personal identifier.

It is not:

• a passport;
• a photographic identity document by itself;
• a driving licence;
• a birth certificate;
• a marriage certificate; or
• a Companies House personal code.

Is the Resident Registration Number the Companies House Personal Code?

No.

The Resident Registration Number belongs to South Korea’s resident-registration system.

The Companies House personal code is a separate 11-character code issued after successful Companies House identity verification.

Do not enter any of the following when Companies House asks for the personal code:

• Resident Registration Number;
• passport number;
• Resident Registration Card number;
• South Korean driving-licence number;
• mobile identity information;
• UK National Insurance number;
• South Korean tax reference;
• company authentication code; or
• immigration application number.

South Korean Driving Licences

South Korea issues physical card-format driving licences.

Unlike the Resident Registration Card, South Korean driving licences currently appear on PRADO.

The listed models are:

• KOR-FO-03001; and
• KOR-FO-02001.

Therefore, an exact matching physical driving licence may potentially provide Group A evidence through person-led Option 2.

Current PRADO-Listed Driving Licence

The current model is:

KOR-FO-03001

It was first issued on 25 February 2020.

PRADO records that the licence:

• is issued in card format;
• remains a valid document model;
• contains a colour facial image;
• contains a secondary colour image;
• has variable validity; and
• serves as a driving licence.

Previous Driving-Licence Model

The previous relevant model is:

KOR-FO-02001

It was first issued in 2016.

PRADO records that the card:

• remains a valid document model;
• uses card format;
• contains a colour facial image;
• contains a secondary colour image;
• contains ultraviolet security features; and
• contains a holographic security feature.

Can a South Korean Driving Licence Provide Group A Evidence?

Potentially, under person-led Option 2.

The licence must:

• match a PRADO-listed model;
• belong to the applicant;
• remain current;
• contain a suitable photograph;
• remain in good physical condition;
• show no sign of alteration;
• not have been replaced;
• not have been cancelled;
• not have been suspended or revoked; and
• match the passport and Companies House information.

The passport should still be used where the verifier needs direct proof of South Korean nationality.

Does Every South Korean Driving Licence Qualify?

No.

A licence may fail where:

• its physical design does not match a PRADO-listed model;
• it has expired;
• it has been replaced;
• it was reported lost;
• it is seriously damaged;
• its photograph no longer supports reliable comparison;
• it has been cancelled;
• it has been suspended or revoked;
• the name does not match the current passport; or
• the verifier cannot inspect its security features.

Send clear images of the front and reverse before relying on the licence.

Why a South Korean Driving Licence Does Not Qualify Under Option 1

Option 1 accepts photocard driving licences issued by:

• the United Kingdom;
• Channel Islands;
• Isle of Man; or
• an EU country.

South Korea is not an EU country.

Therefore, a South Korean driving licence does not qualify through the standard Option 1 driving-licence category.

Its stronger route is person-led Option 2 as another photographic document listed on PRADO.

South Korean Driving-Licence Renewal

South Korean driving licences generally follow a ten-year renewal cycle.

However, shorter periods apply to older drivers.

Current law provides:

• a five-year cycle for many drivers aged 65 to 74; and
• a three-year cycle for drivers aged 75 or over.

The expiry and renewal dates printed or recorded for the individual licence must always be checked.

Mobile Driving Licence

South Korea offers an official mobile driving licence.

The mobile licence was introduced as part of the country’s mobile identity programme and can be used for approved domestic identity and driving checks.

However, the mobile licence should not replace the physical PRADO-listed card for the formal Companies House document combination.

An ACSP may review it as supplementary evidence of:

• current licence status;
• current photograph;
• licence number;
• driving categories;
• expiry information; and
• consistency with the physical card.

Do not rely only on:

• screenshot;
• screen recording;
• printed mobile licence;
• copied QR code;
• digital-wallet image; or
• photograph of another device.

Foreign Resident Registration Cards

A Foreign Resident Registration Card is issued to a person who is not a South Korean citizen but has qualifying immigration status in South Korea.

It does not prove Republic of Korea nationality.

Therefore, it should not be described as:

• a South Korean national identity card;
• proof of South Korean citizenship;
• a Resident Registration Card issued to a South Korean citizen; or
• automatic evidence that the holder is a South Korean national.

A foreign national living in South Korea should normally use their own national passport for Companies House verification.

Who Must Complete Companies House Verification?

The requirement applies to South Korean nationals who are:

• directors of UK limited companies;
• becoming directors of UK companies;
• directors of overseas companies registered in the UK;
• registered as PSCs;
• becoming PSCs;
• forming UK companies as directors or PSCs; or
• applying to become Companies House authorised agents.

Identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025.

However, that date began a phased transition rather than creating one identical deadline for every person.

Existing Directors

An existing director normally provides the personal code through the company’s next confirmation statement.

Where the person is a director of several companies, the code must be connected separately to each company appointment.

Companies House will not accept the company’s confirmation statement until all directors have completed the required identity verification.

New Directors

A new director provides the personal code during the appointment process.

Similarly, a proposed director of a newly formed company must provide the code during incorporation.

PSCs

PSCs have separate 14-day compliance periods.

The correct period depends on:

• whether the PSC is also a director;
• whether the person became a PSC before or after 18 November 2025;
• when Companies House recorded the PSC; and
• the company’s confirmation statement date.

Verification Routes for South Korean Nationals

South Korean applicants can use one of two main routes.

GOV.UK One Login

Companies House offers a free identity-verification service through GOV.UK One Login.

Depending on the applicant’s documents and circumstances, the service may ask them to:

• use the GOV.UK One Login app;
• answer security questions online; or
• attend a participating UK Post Office.

Verification Through an ACSP

An ACSP can verify the applicant:

• remotely;
• by video call;
• in person; or
• through supported identity-document validation technology.

ACSPs can include regulated solicitors, accountants and company service providers.

A South Korean director does not need to travel to the United Kingdom solely for a remote ACSP identity check.

Can You Use a Resident Registration Card in GOV.UK One Login?

No published GOV.UK One Login app route currently lists the South Korean Resident Registration Card as an accepted app document.

The app route normally accepts documents such as:

• UK passport;
• non-UK biometric passport;
• UK photocard driving licence;
• specified UK biometric immigration documents; or
• UK Frontier Worker permit.

The Resident Registration Card does not become an accepted app document merely because it contains a photograph, fingerprints or official identity information.

Can You Use a South Korean Driving Licence in the App?

No.

The GOV.UK One Login app accepts a UK photocard driving licence rather than a South Korean driving licence.

A South Korean licence may still provide Group A evidence through an ACSP person-led Option 2 check where it matches a PRADO-listed model.

Answering Security Questions

Some South Korean nationals living in the United Kingdom may receive the option to answer security questions online.

The service may use information connected with:

• UK bank accounts;
• credit cards;
• loans;
• mortgages;
• mobile phone contracts;
• benefits;
• tax records; or
• other UK financial information.

A South Korean director living outside the UK or with limited UK financial history may find this route less practical.

Name differences can also cause matching problems.

For example, records may differ because of:

• Korean and Western name order;
• Hangul and Latin spelling;
• different Romanisation;
• joined and hyphenated given names;
• a former surname;
• a professional name;
• an alternative foreign name;
• omitted spaces;
• an additional English name; or
• an incorrect division between given name and surname.

Post Office Verification

GOV.UK One Login may offer some applicants a Post Office route.

The applicant must first:

1. begin the Companies House service online;
2. enter the requested identity details;
3. receive confirmation that the Post Office route is available;
4. obtain the customer letter or QR code;
5. attend a participating Post Office; and
6. present the original document specified in the instructions.

A South Korean biometric passport will normally provide the clearest Post Office document route.

Do not assume that the Post Office will accept:

• Resident Registration Card;
• mobile Resident Registration Card;
• South Korean driving licence;
• mobile driving licence;
• family-relations certificate;
• certificate of residence;
• photograph of a passport; or
• government-app screenshot.

The applicant must follow the exact instructions generated for their individual case.

How Many Documents Are Required?

Option 1: Technology-Led Check

One photographic document may be enough where suitable identity technology can validate it.

Eligible categories include:

• biometric or machine-readable passport;
• UK or EU photocard driving licence;
• biometric identity card from the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein;
• specified UK biometric immigration documents;
• UK Frontier Worker permit; or
• eVisa.

For a South Korean national, the strongest Option 1 document is usually:

• Republic of Korea biometric passport.

Other possible Option 1 documents include:

• UK photocard driving licence;
• eligible UK immigration document; or
• eVisa.

The South Korean Resident Registration Card and South Korean driving licence do not fall within the specified Option 1 country categories.

Option 2: Person-Led Check

A trained person can inspect the original documents remotely or in person.

The applicant must provide either:

• two Group A photographic documents; or
• one Group A document and one Group B supporting document.

Anyone living outside the United Kingdom must provide at least one government-issued document.

A passport may be up to 18 months expired where it has not been cancelled or replaced.

Other documents normally need to remain current.

Group A Documents for South Korean Nationals

Republic of Korea Passport

A current biometric passport normally provides the strongest Group A evidence.

Relevant models include:

• KOR-AO-04001;
• KOR-AO-03002 where the individual green passport remains current; and
• another valid Republic of Korea passport model following individual review.

PRADO-Listed South Korean Driving Licence

A current physical South Korean driving licence may potentially provide Group A evidence under person-led Option 2.

Relevant models are:

• KOR-FO-03001; and
• KOR-FO-02001.

UK Photocard Driving Licence

A South Korean national living in the United Kingdom may use a valid UK photocard driving licence as another Group A document.

A South Korean passport and UK driving licence can provide two strong photographic identity documents.

Eligible UK Immigration Document

An eligible UK photographic immigration document may provide another Group A option.

Examples may include:

• qualifying biometric residence permit;
• biometric residence card;
• UK Frontier Worker permit;
• photographic government-issued work permit;
• photographic immigration document;
• photographic visa; or
• eVisa through the relevant technology-led route.

Documents That Should Not Replace Formal Evidence

The following items may provide useful supporting information. However, they should not automatically replace accepted Group A or Group B evidence:

• physical Resident Registration Card;
• Mobile Resident Registration Card;
• Resident Registration Number;
• South Korean mobile driving licence;
• screenshot of a mobile identity document;
• foreign resident card;
• resident-registration record;
• certificate of residence;
• family-register certificate without confirming its function;
• seal-registration certificate;
• health-insurance document;
• national pension document;
• tax certificate;
• student card;
• employee card;
• professional membership card;
• bank payment card; or
• screenshot of a South Korean government service.

Group B Supporting Documents

Where the applicant has only one suitable Group A photographic document, they can provide one Group B document.

Accepted Group B categories include:

• birth certificate;
• adoption certificate;
• marriage certificate;
• civil partnership certificate;
• non-photographic immigration document;
• non-photographic visa;
• non-photographic work permit;
• bank or building society statement;
• mortgage statement showing the current address;
• utility bill showing the current address;
• insurance policy showing the current address;
• UK council tax statement; or
• qualifying UK social-housing rental agreement.

A South Korean document must be genuine, complete, clear and capable of validation.

South Korean Bank Statements

A South Korean bank statement may provide Group B evidence.

The statement should:

• show the applicant’s name;
• identify the bank;
• display a recent statement date;
• show genuine account activity;
• remain complete;
• remain legible;
• contain no sign of editing; and
• show the current address where it is relied on as address evidence.

A complete official PDF or statement issued by the bank will normally provide stronger evidence than:

• mobile-banking screenshot;
• cropped transaction list;
• photograph of a bankbook;
• cash-card image;
• transfer receipt;
• balance shown on a phone; or
• copied account details.

Name Differences on Bank Statements

A South Korean bank statement may:

• show the name in Hangul;
• use Latin letters;
• place the family name first;
• place the family name last;
• omit a hyphen;
• join a two-part given name;
• use a different Romanisation;
• use initials;
• show a professional name; or
• use a former surname.

These differences do not automatically make the statement unacceptable.

However, the ACSP must connect the statement to the passport and other records.

South Korean Utility Bills

A South Korean utility bill may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the applicant’s current residential address.

Examples may include:

• electricity bill;
• gas bill;
• water bill;
• fixed-line telephone bill; or
• household internet bill.

The verifier must be able to identify:

• service provider;
• account holder;
• service address;
• billing date;
• account information; and
• connection to the applicant.

A payment receipt, banking entry or mobile-payment record does not necessarily amount to the complete utility bill.

A bill in another household member’s name will not normally prove the applicant’s address without further evidence.

South Korean Mortgage Statements

A South Korean mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows:

• applicant’s name;
• identifiable lender;
• current residential address;
• statement date; and
• genuine mortgage information.

The following documents are not automatically the same as a mortgage statement:

• property-register extract;
• purchase agreement;
• title information;
• property-tax notice;
• loan approval letter;
• repayment estimate; or
• building-management statement.

These records may provide supplementary information. However, the formal Group B mortgage category should normally use an actual mortgage statement.

South Korean Insurance Policies

A South Korean insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it identifies the applicant and shows the current residential address.

Examples may include:

• home insurance;
• fire insurance;
• buildings insurance;
• contents insurance;
• vehicle insurance; or
• another genuine policy.

A quotation, premium invoice, insurance card, payment receipt or renewal reminder may not amount to the complete policy.

South Korea’s Family Relations Registration System

South Korea replaced its former family-register system with the Family Relations Registration System on 1 January 2008.

The current system records important civil-status events for individuals, including:

• birth;
• adoption;
• marriage;
• divorce;
• death;
• parent-child relationships;
• nationality changes;
• name changes; and
• other family relationships.

The Supreme Court of Korea oversees the system.

Main Certificate Types

Available certificate types include:

• Family Relations Certificate;
• Identification Certificate;
• Marriage Relations Certificate;
• Adoption Relations Certificate;
• Full Adoption Relations Certificate; and
• English Certificate of Family Relations.

Certificates may be issued in general, detailed or specific forms.

The correct document depends on what the applicant needs to prove.

South Korean Birth Evidence

South Korea does not always use one stand-alone birth certificate in exactly the same way as the United Kingdom.

Instead, birth information may be established through one or more official family-registration certificates.

Identification Certificate

The Identification Certificate may provide information about:

• birth;
• death;
• nationality;
• recognition of parentage;
• parental authority;
• name changes;
• correction of date of birth;
• correction of the Korean identity number; and
• other personal-status matters.

The general certificate contains essential current information.

The detailed certificate can include previous and amended information.

A specific birth certificate may focus on birth, death, disappearance and corrected birth information.

Family Relations Certificate

The Family Relations Certificate may show:

• applicant’s name;
• date of birth;
• parents;
• spouse;
• children;
• Korean identity information; and
• place-of-registration details.

It can help connect the applicant to parents and family relationships.

English Certificate of Family Relations

The English Certificate of Family Relations includes information on:

• the applicant’s birth;
• name;
• gender;
• date and place of birth;
• parents;
• current spouse;
• current marriage; and
• related identity details.

Can These Certificates Provide Group B Evidence?

Potentially.

An Identification Certificate, English Certificate of Family Relations or another official certificate may provide Group B evidence where the ACSP is satisfied that it clearly performs the function of a birth certificate.

However, the verifier must review:

• exact certificate type;
• general, detailed or specific version;
• applicant’s name;
• date and place of birth;
• parents’ details;
• issuing authority;
• issue date;
• authenticity information;
• amendments; and
• connection to the current passport.

A generic family certificate should not automatically be treated as a birth certificate merely because it comes from an official register.

South Korean Marriage Evidence

The Marriage Relations Certificate provides official information about marriage and divorce.

General Marriage Relations Certificate

The general version provides information on:

• the spouse; and
• the applicant’s current marriage.

Detailed Marriage Relations Certificate

The detailed version may include:

• current marriage;
• previous marriage;
• spouse information; and
• divorce information.

Specific Marriage Relations Certificate

A specific certificate can focus on a selected marriage.

English Certificate of Family Relations

The English certificate includes current marriage information, including the spouse and date of marriage.

However, a detailed Korean Marriage Relations Certificate may provide stronger evidence where the applicant needs to establish:

• divorce;
• earlier marriage;
• former spouse;
• remarriage;
• name history; or
• a difference between current and earlier records.

Can a Marriage Relations Certificate Provide Group B Evidence?

Potentially.

An official Marriage Relations Certificate may provide Group B evidence where it clearly performs the function of a marriage certificate.

The ACSP should check:

• both spouses;
• date of marriage;
• current marital status;
• former marriages where relevant;
• divorce information;
• issuing authority;
• issue date;
• authenticity information; and
• consistency with the applicant’s passport and Companies House record.

Electronic South Korean Civil Certificates

Family-registration certificates can be issued electronically through the official South Korean system.

The Supreme Court provides a certificate-authenticity service.

Authenticity can normally be checked using the issuance number during the three-month period following the certificate’s issue.

Where an electronic certificate is used, provide the complete original file rather than:

• screenshot;
• converted image;
• cropped page;
• copied text;
• scanned printout; or
• printout that removes verification information.

South Korean Nationals Born Abroad

A South Korean national born outside South Korea may have:

• foreign birth certificate;
• Korean family-registration entry;
• Identification Certificate;
• Family Relations Certificate;
• English Certificate of Family Relations;
• South Korean passport;
• foreign passport; or
• evidence belonging to the South Korean parent or parents.

Useful evidence may include:

• complete foreign birth certificate;
• South Korean family-registration certificate;
• current South Korean passport;
• current foreign passport where relevant;
• official English translation; and
• documents connecting different versions of the name.

Time-Zone Differences in Overseas Birth Records

An overseas birth may occasionally appear under a different calendar date in the South Korean family register because of the time difference between the country of birth and South Korea.

For example, a child born late in the evening in the United Kingdom may have a South Korean registration date that falls on the following day in Korea.

Where this occurs, the ACSP should compare:

• foreign birth certificate;
• South Korean family-registration certificate;
• passport;
• date and time of birth;
• registration explanation; and
• Companies House date of birth.

A one-day difference should be resolved before the personal code is connected to the company role.

South Korean Nationals Married Abroad

A South Korean national married outside South Korea may have:

• foreign marriage certificate;
• South Korean report of marriage;
• updated Marriage Relations Certificate;
• updated Family Relations Certificate;
• current South Korean passport;
• former passport;
• foreign passport;
• official translation; or
• formal name-change evidence.

An official foreign marriage certificate may itself provide Group B evidence.

However, the ACSP may request South Korean linking evidence where:

• the foreign certificate uses a spouse’s surname;
• the South Korean passport uses another surname;
• the marriage has not yet appeared in the Korean register;
• Companies House uses a former name;
• another passport uses a different name; or
• the applicant needs to establish a divorce or remarriage.

English Translations

South Korean passports contain internationally standardised Latin-script identity fields.

However, many other documents contain important information only in Korean.

This may include:

• Resident Registration Card;
• driving licence;
• Family Relations Certificate;
• Identification Certificate;
• Marriage Relations Certificate;
• bank statement;
• utility bill;
• mortgage statement;
• insurance policy;
• court order; or
• name-change record.

The ACSP may request an English translation where it cannot clearly understand:

• document type;
• issuing authority;
• applicant’s complete name;
• former name;
• current address;
• date of birth;
• birth information;
• marriage information;
• divorce information;
• name-change information; or
• another material entry.

The translation supports the original document. It does not replace it.

Recommended Document Combinations

South Korean Passport and PRADO-Listed Driving Licence

This combination may provide two Group A photographic documents under person-led Option 2.

The passport provides:

• identity evidence;
• nationality evidence;
• date of birth;
• photograph; and
• international document status.

The physical driving licence provides a second photographic document where it matches:

• KOR-FO-03001; or
• KOR-FO-02001.

The ACSP must confirm:

• exact licence model;
• current validity;
• photograph;
• physical security features;
• licence status;
• whether it was replaced; and
• consistency with the passport.

South Korean Passport and Bank Statement

This combination provides:

• one Group A document; and
• one Group B document.

It often provides the clearest route where the applicant:

• does not have a PRADO-matching driving licence;
• has only a Resident Registration Card as another photographic document;
• has no UK driving licence;
• wants to show genuine financial activity;
• needs to establish a South Korean or UK address; or
• has a name-format difference across records.

South Korean Passport and Utility Bill

A utility bill may provide the required Group B document where it clearly shows the applicant’s current residential address.

South Korean Passport and Mortgage Statement

A South Korean mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the applicant’s current home address.

South Korean Passport and Insurance Policy

An insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it identifies the applicant and current address.

South Korean Passport and Birth Evidence

An official Identification Certificate, English Certificate of Family Relations or suitable foreign birth certificate may potentially provide Group B evidence.

This combination can help where:

• Companies House reverses the name order;
• Hangul and Latin spellings differ;
• a two-part given name is divided differently;
• the Romanisation has changed;
• the date or place of birth needs clarification;
• the applicant was born abroad;
• a time-zone difference affects the birth date;
• the applicant changed their name; or
• the verifier needs stronger civil-status evidence.

South Korean Passport and Marriage Evidence

An official Marriage Relations Certificate, English Certificate of Family Relations or foreign marriage certificate may potentially provide Group B evidence.

It can help connect:

• current and former surnames;
• current and earlier marriages;
• divorce;
• spouse information;
• South Korean and foreign records;
• another nationality’s passport; or
• an earlier Companies House appointment.

South Korean Passport and UK Photocard Driving Licence

A South Korean national living in the United Kingdom may use a valid UK photocard driving licence as the second Group A document.

South Korean Passport and UK Immigration Document

An eligible UK photographic immigration document may provide another Group A document.

An eVisa may qualify through the technology-led route.

South Korean Names and Name Structure

South Korean identity records require careful name checks.

A South Korean legal name normally consists of:

• one surname; and
• one given name.

The Korean naming system does not generally use a separate British-style middle name.

However, the given name may contain two syllables or more than one Romanised element.

As a result, a UK system may incorrectly divide part of the given name into a middle-name field.

Korean and Western Name Order

South Korean records commonly place the family name before the given name.

For example:

Kim Minjun

may appear in a UK system as:

Minjun Kim

A change in order does not automatically indicate a different person.

The ACSP should compare:

• labelled passport fields;
• machine-readable zone;
• Resident Registration Card;
• driving licence;
• family-registration certificate;
• bank statement; and
• Companies House record.

Hangul and Latin-Script Names

A South Korean legal name is recorded in Korean script.

The passport then displays the name in Latin letters for international use.

Different systems may therefore contain:

• Hangul name;
• official passport Romanisation;
• another English spelling;
• a spelling used in older documents;
• a foreign passport spelling; or
• a professional name.

The current passport’s Latin-script fields should normally provide the main reference for Companies House verification.

Romanisation Differences

The same Korean name may appear in more than one Latin spelling.

For example, separate records may use forms such as:

• Kim and Gim;
• Lee, Yi and Rhee;
• Park, Pak and Bak;
• Jeong, Jung and Chung;
• Choi and Choe;
• Yu, Yoo and Ryu; or
• another family-selected spelling.

These examples do not automatically prove that two records belong to the same person.

The ACSP must connect the versions through reliable identity documents and civil records.

Joined, Hyphenated and Spaced Given Names

A two-part Korean given name may be written in several ways.

For example:

• Minjun;
• Min-Jun; or
• Min Jun.

Likewise, another name may appear as:

• Seoyeon;
• Seo-Yeon; or
• Seo Yeon.

A UK system may:

• remove the hyphen;
• insert a space;
• join the two elements;
• place one element in the middle-name field;
• omit one element; or
• use only an everyday form.

These differences do not automatically create a different identity.

Nevertheless, the complete documents must support one consistent person.

South Korean Passports and Romanised Names

The Romanised name in a South Korean passport is based on the Korean name recorded in the family-relations system.

South Korean passport rules limit when an established Romanised spelling can be changed.

Therefore, an applicant may have:

• current passport spelling;
• older spelling in a previous passport;
• a different bank spelling;
• another spelling under a foreign nationality; or
• a professional spelling used in business.

Where the spellings differ, provide:

• current passport;
• former passport;
• family-registration certificate;
• court name-change evidence where relevant;
• bank statement; and
• documents showing the Companies House name.

No Standard Middle Name

South Korean civil naming does not normally include a separate legal middle name.

However, a UK form may incorrectly treat:

• the second syllable of the given name as a middle name;
• one part of a spaced given name as a middle name;
• an English name as a middle name;
• a former surname as a middle name; or
• an alternative foreign name as a middle name.

The labelled passport fields provide the main guide.

Marriage and South Korean Surnames

Do not assume that marriage automatically changed a South Korean national’s legal surname.

Instead, check:

• current passport;
• Family Relations Certificate;
• Marriage Relations Certificate;
• court-approved name-change evidence;
• former passport;
• foreign passport where relevant; and
• Companies House record.

A spouse’s surname may appear in foreign or professional records even where the South Korean passport continues to show the registered Korean surname.

Former and Alternative Names

A South Korean applicant may have:

• former surname;
• court-approved new name;
• professional name;
• English name;
• religious name;
• foreign-passport name;
• former passport spelling; or
• alternative Romanisation.

A shorter or different name does not automatically establish a separate identity.

However, the applicant must provide reliable linking evidence.

Useful documents may include:

• current passport;
• former passport;
• detailed Identification Certificate;
• Family Relations Certificate;
• court order;
• marriage certificate;
• foreign passport;
• Resident Registration Card; and
• bank or professional records.

Formal Name Changes

South Korean name changes generally require formal approval and registration.

The detailed Identification Certificate can record matters such as:

• change of name;
• change of surname;
• changes connected with family origin;
• nationality changes; and
• other personal-status amendments.

After a formal change, the person may need to update:

• passport;
• Resident Registration Card;
• driving licence;
• bank accounts;
• tax records;
• insurance policies;
• professional records; and
• Companies House information.

Professional and Business Names

A South Korean person may use a professional or business name that differs from the formal passport name.

This may occur in:

• academia;
• publishing;
• entertainment;
• international business;
• email addresses;
• professional registrations; or
• overseas employment.

A professional name does not automatically become the legal identity.

Where Companies House records the professional name, provide documents connecting it to the formal passport identity.

Korean Honorifics

Honorifics and titles such as:

• Mr;
• Ms;
• Dr;
• Professor;
• ssi; or
• seonsaengnim

do not normally form part of the legal name.

They should not be entered as a given name, surname or former name unless an official identity document clearly treats the wording as part of the registered legal identity.

Passport Machine-Readable Name

The machine-readable zone may format the South Korean name differently from the visible personal-details page.

It may:

• remove hyphens;
• remove punctuation;
• merge spaces;
• shorten a long name;
• divide surname and given names differently; or
• omit an additional visual notation.

The ACSP should compare:

• visible passport name;
• machine-readable zone;
• passport chip;
• Resident Registration Card;
• family-registration certificate;
• driving licence;
• bank statement; and
• Companies House record.

Multiple Nationality

South Korea permits multiple nationality only in limited circumstances.

A person may hold more than one nationality where specific legal requirements are met.

Therefore, a second passport should not be presented as a routine document without reviewing:

• how each nationality was acquired;
• whether both passports remain legally valid;
• whether the person remains a Republic of Korea national;
• any nationality-selection obligations;
• differences in names;
• differences in places of birth; and
• whether either passport has been cancelled.

Check the Date of Birth

The date of birth linked to the Companies House personal code must match the date held by Companies House.

Problems may arise where:

• someone made an error during incorporation;
• Companies House holds the wrong date;
• a foreign birth certificate and Korean register differ by one day;
• the passport and company record differ;
• a civil record contains a correction;
• the ACSP submits incorrect details; or
• the applicant enters the wrong personal code.

Use:

• current passport;
• Identification Certificate;
• English Certificate of Family Relations;
• foreign birth certificate where relevant;
• Resident Registration Card as supplementary evidence; and
• other official civil records.

Where the Companies House date of birth is wrong, correct the register before trying to connect the personal code.

Companies House currently warns that a date-of-birth correction may take up to 20 working days.

South Korean Addresses and Address History

The ACSP must collect:

• the applicant’s current home address; and
• address history for the previous 12 months.

A South Korean applicant’s documents may show different addresses because:

• the passport does not show a residential address;
• the Resident Registration Card shows an earlier address;
• the applicant now lives outside South Korea;
• the bank uses a correspondence address;
• a utility bill is in another household member’s name;
• the person recently moved;
• the address is written in Korean order;
• a building name is omitted;
• the road-name and older land-lot address differ; or
• the applicant has both South Korean and UK homes.

The actual current residential address must be provided.

Where the Resident Registration Card or domestic register shows an old address, use a current accepted Group B document.

Korean and English Address Order

South Korean addresses may be written differently in Korean and English.

A Korean address may move from the larger geographical area to the smaller location.

An English version may reverse or reorganise the order.

Different records may also use:

• road-name address;
• older land-lot address;
• building name;
• apartment number;
• district abbreviation;
• city abbreviation; or
• postal code in a different position.

This does not automatically create an address mismatch.

However, the ACSP must be satisfied that both versions describe the same residence.

Same-Day Remote Verification

Ginkgo Advisory is registered with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.

Our solicitor-led service can arrange remote Companies House identity verification by video call for South Korean directors and PSCs.

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where:

• the documents are reviewed and approved in advance;
• the applicant provides all required information;
• the document combination meets the Companies House standard;
• the applicant has the original documents;
• the verifier can validate them;
• the applicant appears clearly on camera;
• the Companies House information matches; and
• no unresolved identity or compliance concern remains.

Strong person-led combinations include:

• South Korean passport and PRADO-listed physical driving licence;
• South Korean passport and bank statement;
• South Korean passport and utility bill;
• South Korean passport and mortgage statement;
• South Korean passport and insurance policy;
• South Korean passport and suitable birth evidence;
• South Korean passport and suitable marriage evidence;
• South Korean passport and UK photocard driving licence; or
• South Korean passport and eligible UK immigration document.

The Resident Registration Card, mobile Resident Registration Card and mobile driving licence may support the review. However, they should not replace the formal accepted combination.

Remote Verification Process

Step 1: Send the Documents

For a passport, provide:

• complete personal-details page;
• complete machine-readable zone;
• observation pages;
• pages showing former or alternative names;
• name-amendment information; and
• relevant endorsements.

For a South Korean driving licence, send the front and reverse.

Where requested, also send the front and reverse of the Resident Registration Card.

For a Group B document, send the complete file rather than a cropped image.

Applicants must also provide:

• full name;
• all former names;
• date of birth;
• current residential address;
• previous 12 months of address history; and
• individual email address.

Step 2: Confirm the Document Combination

The review may cover:

• passport model;
• blue or green passport;
• passport page count;
• passport chip;
• passport expiry date;
• whether the passport was cancelled or replaced;
• emergency passport;
• Resident Registration Card;
• mobile Resident Registration Card;
• South Korean driving-licence model;
• whether the licence matches PRADO;
• mobile driving licence;
• Group B evidence;
• Hangul and Latin names;
• Korean and Western name order;
• joined, hyphenated and spaced given names;
• Romanisation differences;
• married and former names;
• family-registration evidence;
• current residential address; and
• Companies House information.

Where the documents do not meet the standard, a stronger combination will be identified before the video call.

Step 3: Attend the Video Call

During the call, the applicant must:

• appear clearly on camera;
• show the original documents;
• move or tilt them when requested;
• display visible security features;
• confirm personal details;
• complete the facial comparison; and
• answer relevant identity questions.

The verifier must be satisfied that:

• the applicant is a real person;
• the documents appear genuine;
• the identity belongs to the applicant; and
• the evidence meets the Companies House standard.

Step 4: ACSP Submission

After the checks, the ACSP submits the required verification information to Companies House.

The ACSP normally retains rather than submits copies of the identity documents.

The records must be kept for seven years.

These records include:

• copies of documents;
• supporting evidence;
• checks completed;
• unsuccessful verification attempts; and
• other required information.

Step 5: Receive the Personal Code

Companies House sends the personal code to the applicant’s individual email address.

The applicant should:

• confirm that the email address is correct;
• ensure that the account is accessible;
• check the spam or junk folder;
• keep the code secure; and
• share it only with a trusted solicitor, accountant or company administrator.

Companies House controls the timing of the code’s issue and delivery.

Using the Personal Code

Directors

An existing director normally connects the personal code through the company’s next confirmation statement.

A new director provides the code during appointment.

Where the person is a director of several companies, the code must be connected separately to each appointment.

PSCs

A PSC must connect the code separately to the PSC role.

This applies even where the same person has already used the code as a director.

Director and PSC of the Same Company

As a director, the person provides the code through the company’s confirmation statement.

As a PSC, the person uses the separate PSC service during the relevant 14-day period.

That period starts on the day after the company’s confirmation statement date.

PSC Who Is Not a Director

A PSC who is not a director of the same company normally provides the code during the first 14 days of their birth month.

New PSC

A new PSC may provide the code when first added to the Companies House register or within 14 days of being added.

How Ginkgo Advisory Can Help

Ginkgo Advisory can help South Korean nationals by:

• reviewing current Republic of Korea biometric passports;
• checking whether a passport matches KOR-AO-04001;
• reviewing older green South Korean passports;
• checking 26-page and 58-page passports;
• assessing whether a passport should work through GOV.UK One Login;
• checking passport-chip problems;
• reviewing expired South Korean passports;
• checking whether a passport has been cancelled or replaced;
• reviewing emergency passports;
• reviewing Resident Registration Cards as supplementary evidence;
• explaining why the Resident Registration Card does not automatically qualify as Group A;
• reviewing Mobile Resident Registration Cards;
• explaining why a screenshot does not replace the live mobile credential;
• distinguishing the Resident Registration Number from the Companies House personal code;
• reviewing physical South Korean driving licences;
• checking whether a licence matches KOR-FO-03001 or KOR-FO-02001;
• explaining why a South Korean driving licence does not qualify under Option 1;
• reviewing mobile driving-licence information;
• distinguishing citizen Resident Registration Cards from foreign Residence Cards;
• confirming the correct Group A and Group B combination;
• reviewing South Korean bank statements and address documents;
• checking Family Relations Certificates;
• checking Identification Certificates;
• checking Marriage Relations Certificates;
• reviewing English Certificates of Family Relations;
• checking electronic certificate authenticity;
• reviewing foreign certificates for South Koreans born or married abroad;
• comparing Hangul and Latin-script names;
• checking Korean and Western name order;
• reviewing different Romanisations;
• checking joined, hyphenated and spaced given names;
• connecting married, former and professional names;
• reviewing multiple-nationality documents;
• identifying date-of-birth and address differences;
• arranging the video call;
• completing the ACSP checks; and
• submitting the verification to Companies House.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use My South Korean Passport?

Yes.

A current Republic of Korea passport provides strong Group A evidence.

The current ordinary passport model is KOR-AO-04001.

Is the South Korean Passport Biometric?

Yes.

The current passport contains a biometric chip and an integrated personal-details card.

What Colour Is the Current South Korean Passport?

The current ordinary passport has a blue cover.

The previous passport generation had a green cover.

How Long Is a South Korean Passport Valid?

The current ordinary passport model has maximum validity of ten years.

However, individual validity depends on age, document type and the reason for issue.

Always check the printed expiry date.

Does a South Korean Passport Have 26 or 58 Pages?

A multiple-use ordinary passport may have 26 or 58 pages.

The number of pages does not affect its identity status.

Can I Use My South Korean Passport in the GOV.UK One Login App?

Potentially.

The passport chip, document photograph and facial comparison must pass the app’s checks.

What If the Passport Chip Does Not Work?

The passport may still qualify through an ACSP.

A person-led Option 2 check may remain available where the original passport can be examined and validated.

Can I Use an Expired South Korean Passport?

Potentially.

Option 1 may permit a biometric or machine-readable passport that expired within the previous six months.

Option 2 may permit a passport that expired within the previous 18 months.

The passport must not have been cancelled or replaced.

Can I Use a Cancelled South Korean Passport?

No.

A cancelled passport may provide historical evidence but cannot provide current formal identity evidence.

Can I Use a Lost Passport That I Later Recovered?

No.

A passport reported lost or stolen should not be used.

Can I Use an Older Green South Korean Passport?

Potentially.

An individual green passport may remain valid until its printed expiry date.

However, it must not have been cancelled or replaced by a newer blue passport.

Can I Use a South Korean Passport Issued in London?

Yes.

A passport issued following an application through the Republic of Korea Embassy remains a standard South Korean passport.

Can I Use a South Korean Emergency Passport?

Potentially, but it requires individual review.

The ACSP must confirm its current validity, purpose and security features.

Can I Use My Resident Registration Card?

The card may provide useful supplementary evidence.

However, it should not automatically replace the formal Companies House document combination because PRADO does not currently list it.

Is the Resident Registration Card Group A?

Not automatically.

It does not fall within the current Option 1 identity-card countries and does not appear on PRADO.

Is the Resident Registration Card Group B?

No.

A foreign national identity card is not included in the published Group B list.

At What Age Is a Resident Registration Card Issued?

South Korean resident-registration law provides for issuance to eligible citizens aged 17 or over.

What Information Does the Resident Registration Card Show?

It can show information including:

• name;
• photograph;
• Resident Registration Number;
• registered address;
• fingerprints;
• issue date; and
• issuing authority.

Can I Use an Old Resident Registration Card?

It may provide historical information.

However, use the current card where the older one has been replaced or the photograph no longer supports reliable identification.

Can I Use a Lost Card That I Later Recovered?

Do not use it where the card was reported lost, invalidated or replaced.

Can I Use the Mobile Resident Registration Card?

Do not rely on the mobile card as the formal Companies House document.

It may provide supplementary live identity evidence.

Does the Mobile Resident Registration Card Have Legal Validity in South Korea?

Yes.

It has the same legal validity as the physical Resident Registration Card for approved domestic uses.

How Long Is the Mobile Resident Registration Card Valid?

The mobile credential normally has a three-year validity cycle.

Can I Send a Screenshot of My Mobile Resident Registration Card?

No.

The credential should be displayed live in the official application.

Can I Use My Resident Registration Number?

No.

The number is a personal identifier rather than a photographic identity document.

It is also different from the Companies House personal code.

Can I Use My South Korean Driving Licence?

Potentially under person-led Option 2.

The exact physical licence must match a PRADO-listed model and pass the required checks.

Which South Korean Driving Licences Appear on PRADO?

PRADO currently lists:

• KOR-FO-03001; and
• KOR-FO-02001.

Does Every South Korean Driving Licence Qualify?

No.

The exact card must match a PRADO-listed model. It must also remain valid, current and capable of physical inspection.

Can I Use an Expired South Korean Driving Licence?

Normally no.

Companies House does not provide a general expiry exception for South Korean driving licences.

Can I Use a Replaced Driving Licence?

No.

Use the current replacement card.

Can I Use My Mobile Driving Licence?

Do not rely on the mobile licence as the formal Group A document.

It may provide supplementary evidence of the licence’s current status.

Can I Use a South Korean Driving Licence in GOV.UK One Login?

Not as the app’s driving-licence document.

The app accepts a UK photocard driving licence.

Can I Use My South Korean Driving Licence Under Option 1?

No, not through the standard driving-licence category.

South Korea is not an EU country.

Can I Use a Foreign Resident Card?

A foreign Residence Card does not prove South Korean citizenship.

Use the holder’s national passport and record their actual nationality correctly.

Can I Use a South Korean Bank Statement?

Potentially.

A bank statement falls within Group B.

It must be genuine, complete, clear and capable of validation.

Can I Use a South Korean Bankbook?

It requires individual review.

A photograph of one bankbook page may not provide all the information required from a complete bank statement.

Can I Use a South Korean Utility Bill?

Potentially.

A utility bill falls within Group B where it clearly shows the applicant’s current home address.

Can I Use a South Korean Mortgage Statement?

Potentially.

A mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the current residential address.

Can I Use a South Korean Insurance Policy?

Potentially.

An insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it identifies the applicant and current address.

Can I Use a Family Relations Certificate?

Potentially as supplementary or formal Group B evidence, depending on the exact certificate and what it proves.

A generic Family Relations Certificate should not automatically be treated as a birth or marriage certificate.

Can I Use an Identification Certificate as Birth Evidence?

Potentially.

An Identification Certificate may provide information about birth, nationality, name changes and corrections.

The ACSP must confirm that the exact version performs the function of the Group B birth-certificate category.

Can I Use an English Certificate of Family Relations?

Potentially.

The English certificate includes information about the applicant’s birth, parents and current marriage.

Can I Use a Marriage Relations Certificate?

Potentially.

A Marriage Relations Certificate may provide Group B evidence where it clearly proves the marriage.

Which Marriage Certificate Version Should I Use?

A general certificate may show the current marriage.

A detailed certificate may provide stronger evidence where divorce, remarriage or former-spouse information matters.

Can I Use an Electronic Korean Civil Certificate?

Potentially.

Provide the original electronic document with its verification information intact.

How Long Can Certificate Authenticity Be Checked Online?

The South Korean Supreme Court’s service normally allows verification within three months of issue.

Can I Use a Foreign Birth Certificate?

Potentially.

Provide the complete official certificate together with any required translation and South Korean linking evidence.

Can I Use a Foreign Marriage Certificate?

Potentially.

Provide the complete official certificate together with any required translation and South Korean linking evidence.

Do South Korean Documents Need an English Translation?

Some documents may require translation.

The passport contains Latin-script information. However, Resident Registration Cards, driving licences, bank statements and civil certificates may contain material information only in Korean.

What If My Korean and English Names Appear in Different Orders?

Provide the complete passport and supporting documents.

Korean records may put the family name first, while a UK record puts it last.

What If My Given Name Is Joined on One Document and Hyphenated on Another?

Provide the complete document set.

For example, Minjun, Min-Jun and Min Jun may refer to the same registered Korean given name.

What If My Romanised Name Is Spelled Differently?

Provide the current and former passports together with civil records.

Different Romanisations may be legitimate, but the ACSP must connect them through reliable evidence.

Does a South Korean Name Have a Middle Name?

South Korean legal naming does not normally use a separate British-style middle name.

A UK system may incorrectly treat part of a two-syllable given name as a middle name.

What If Companies House Omits Part of My Given Name?

Provide the passport and family-registration documents.

A shortened Companies House record may still relate to the same person.

What If I Use an English Name?

Provide evidence linking the English name to the formal South Korean passport identity.

An everyday or professional English name does not automatically become the legal identity.

What If I Use a Professional Name?

Provide documents connecting the professional name to the formal passport name.

What If I Changed My Name?

Provide:

• current passport;
• former passport;
• detailed Identification Certificate;
• court name-change evidence;
• Resident Registration Card where relevant; and
• documents showing the Companies House name.

Does Marriage Automatically Change a South Korean Surname?

Do not assume that it does.

Review the current passport, Marriage Relations Certificate, Family Relations Certificate and any formal name-change evidence.

Can I Use Two Passports?

Potentially, but the case requires careful review.

South Korea permits multiple nationality only in specified circumstances.

The ACSP must confirm that both passports remain legally valid.

What If My South Korean and British Passports Show Different Names?

Provide both passports and the civil-status or name-change documents connecting the names.

The ACSP should establish the current legal identity and review the nationality position.

What If My Date of Birth at Companies House Is Wrong?

Correct the Companies House record before trying to connect the personal code.

The date of birth linked to the code must match the company record.

What If My Foreign Birth Certificate and Korean Register Differ by One Day?

Provide both documents and an explanation of the time-zone difference.

The correct Companies House date must be established before the personal code is connected.

What If My Resident Registration Card Shows an Old Address?

Use a current Group B address document.

The applicant must provide the actual home address and the previous 12 months of address history.

Can I Use a Korean Certificate of Residence?

It may provide useful supplementary address evidence.

However, a foreign residence certificate is not expressly listed as a Companies House Group B document.

Can I Verify My Identity While Living in South Korea?

Yes.

An ACSP can complete the process remotely where the documents meet the Companies House standard and the video process allows the verifier to confirm the applicant’s identity.

Do I Always Need Two Documents?

Two documents are required for person-led Option 2.

One eligible document may be enough under technology-led Option 1.

Must I Post My Original South Korean Passport?

Usually not for an approved remote video process.

Clear images are sent first, while the original documents are shown during the video call.

Can I Use One Code as Both Director and PSC?

Yes.

However, the code must be connected separately to each role.

Can the Verification Be Completed on the Same Day?

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where the complete document set is approved in advance.

Companies House controls the later issue and delivery of the personal code.

Need Companies House Verification for a South Korean Director or PSC?

South Korean nationals will usually have one of these practical routes:

• Republic of Korea biometric passport and PRADO-listed physical driving licence;
• South Korean passport and accepted Group B supporting document;
• South Korean passport and UK photocard driving licence;
• South Korean passport and eligible UK immigration document; or
• one eligible Republic of Korea biometric or machine-readable passport under Option 1.

Applicants should not currently rely on:

• Resident Registration Card as the formal second Group A document;
• Mobile Resident Registration Card as the formal document;
• Resident Registration Number;
• mobile driving licence without the physical card;
• foreign Residence Card as proof of South Korean nationality;
• generic family-register evidence without confirming its function;
• certificate-of-residence document as automatic Group B evidence; or
• screenshots from South Korean government services.

Some cases need extra care, including those involving:

• unreadable passport chips;
• blue and green passport models;
• 26-page and 58-page passports;
• expired passports;
• cancelled or replaced passports;
• lost or stolen documents;
• emergency passports;
• old Resident Registration Cards;
• lost or replaced Resident Registration Cards;
• mobile identity screenshots;
• driving licences that do not match PRADO;
• expired or replaced driving licences;
• Korean and Western name order;
• Hangul and Latin-script differences;
• joined, hyphenated and spaced given names;
• different Romanisations;
• professional or English names;
• married or former names;
• multiple-nationality documents;
• family-registration certificates;
• foreign birth or marriage records;
• one-day date-of-birth differences;
• incorrect Companies House date of birth;
• old South Korean address information; or
• details that do not match the Companies House register.

Ginkgo Advisory can review the documents, confirm the most suitable route and arrange remote Companies House identity verification by video call.

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where the applicant provides a complete and suitable document set.