South Korea Consular Services / U.S. Travel Considerations
South Korean Passport Renewal in USA 2026 (MOFA, Fees & Military Rules)
Country-specific renewal information, document guidance, fees, processing considerations, and U.S.-based consular submission information.
Consular Authority Info
Official Processing Authority:Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) / Embassy and Consulates General of the Republic of Korea in the United States
Note on Terminology: Korean missions generally describe this service as applying for or reissuing a passport rather than simply 'renewing' an old passport. A new passport is issued when an existing passport is replaced, including when it expires or when additional pages, a new validity period or other passport changes are needed.
2026 Official Consular Fee Schedule
| Passport Category | 58-Page Booklet | 26-Page Booklet |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (10-Year Validity) | $52.00 USD | $49.00 USD |
| Minor (8 to 17 Years - 5-Year Validity) | $44.00 USD | $41.00 USD |
| Minor (Under 8 Years - 5-Year Validity) | $35.00 USD | $32.00 USD |
| Remaining Validity Reissue | $27.00 USD | |
| Emergency Passport (Single-Journey Non-Electronic) | $50.00 USD (Single 1-Year Non-Electronic) | |
• Fee Schedule: Official 2026 Consular Fee Schedule (Effective March 1, 2026)
| Passport Category / Applicant Age | 58-Page Booklet (USD) | 26-Page Booklet (USD) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (Age 18 and older) | $52.00 USD | $49.00 USD | 10 Years |
| Minor (Ages 8 to 17) | $44.00 USD | $41.00 USD | 5 Years |
| Child / Minor (Under 8 years) | $35.00 USD | $32.00 USD | 5 Years |
| Remaining Validity Reissue (Loss / Damage / Correction) | $27.00 USD | Remaining Period | |
| Emergency Single Passport (Non-Electronic) | $50.00 USD (Single 1-Year Non-Electronic) | Within 1 Year | |
| Travel Certificate (여행증명서) | $25.00 USD | Single Trip | |
• Effective Period: Official 2026 Consular Fee Schedule (Effective March 1, 2026) (consular fee adjustment).
• Payment Methods: Cash, Credit Card (accepted at Washington Embassy excluding Amex; check local consulate).
• Delivery & Return: In-person pickup (~3–4 wks), USPS Priority Mail (~4 wks), or expedited DHL Passport Express (~1 wk).
🚀 Step-by-Step Application Process
1
Identify Your Consular JurisdictionLocate the Korean Embassy in Washington, DC or Consulate General (NY, LA, SF, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Seattle, Houston, Honolulu) covering your state.
2
Verify Military Status (Male Applicants)Korean males aged 25–37 subject to military service must ensure valid Overseas Travel Permission (국외여행허가서) from the MMA.
3
Book Appointment OnlineReserve an appointment slot on the 365 Overseas Korean Portal (g4k.go.kr / consul.mofa.go.kr) for your consular visit.
4
Gather Required DocumentsPrepare your current passport, photo copy of data page, U.S. legal status proof (Green Card / visa), and one 3.5x4.5cm photo.
5
Attend In-Person AppointmentSubmit application and documents at the mission. Fingerprint verification and digital signature are completed on-site.
6
Pay the Official Consular FeePay $52 (58-page) or $49 (26-page) for 10-year adult passport via Cash or Card at the consular cashier.
7
Choose Pickup or DeliveryOpt for in-person collection (~3–4 weeks), USPS mail return (~4 weeks), or expedited DHL Passport Express (~1 week).
8
Receive Next-Generation e-PassportVerify all biographical information upon receipt; old passport will be returned safely cancelled.
📋 Document Checklist
The following documents are required for this country's renewal application. Confirm specific requirements before submitting originals.
Korean Passport Application Form (Mandatory)Completed in Korean with accurate biographical details and resident registration number.
Current Physical Korean Passport (Mandatory)Original passport being replaced plus one clear photocopy of the biographical photo page.
One Official Passport Photograph (Mandatory)3.5 cm x 4.5 cm color photo on pure white background (on-site photo booth available at Washington Embassy).
Proof of Lawful U.S. Residency / Status (Mandatory)Valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), valid U.S. visa, or U.S. Passport for dual citizens.
Overseas Travel Permission (국외여행허가서) (For Males 25–37 Liable for Service)Required for Korean male citizens subject to military service obligations who have not completed service.
Prepaid Return Postage (Optional for Mail Return)Prepaid USPS Priority Mail postage or DHL Passport Express confirmation for home delivery.
South Korea Consular Posts & Jurisdiction
Applicants must apply through the Korean Embassy or Consulate General having jurisdiction over their residence.
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington, D.C. (DC, MD, VA, WV)
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York (NY, NJ, PA, CT, DE)
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles (Southern CA, AZ, NV, NM)
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco (Northern CA, CO, UT, WY)
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago (IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta (GA, AL, FL, NC, SC, TN, PR, USVI)
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Boston (MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle (WA, OR, ID, MT, AK)
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Houston (TX, AR, LA, MS, OK)
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Honolulu (Hawaii)
Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Hagåtña (Guam, CNMI)
Critical Consular Guidelines & Warnings
- Official 2026 fee for adult 10-year passport is $52 (58 pages) or $49 (26 pages) — old $53/$50 figures are outdated.
- Standard passport applications must be submitted in person by appointment — online-only renewal is not available for U.S. missions.
- Korean male citizens aged 25–37 liable for military service must obtain Overseas Travel Permission (국외여행허가서) from the Military Manpower Administration (MMA).
- Repeated passport loss (e.g. 3 losses in 5 years) triggers mandatory investigation and can take up to 2 months for resolution.
- Expedited 1-week processing is available through the official DHL Passport Express delivery service.
- Minor passport validity is 5 years, with age-based fees of $44/$41 (ages 8–17) and $35/$32 (under 8).
Safe Filing Guidelines
Before submitting a physical passport, keep secure copies of your passport identification page, relevant U.S. immigration documents and any visa pages that you may need for your records.
Use only the payment method, payee name and payment instructions specified by the issuing government's official embassy, consulate or authorized service provider for the particular application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
From March 1, 2026, an adult passport valid for 10 years costs $52.00 USD for 58 pages or $49.00 USD for 26 pages at Korean overseas missions. Applicants under 18 have lower age-based fees: $44/$41 for minors aged 8–17, and $35/$32 for children under 8.
Not as a general online-only service. The Consular Services Portal is used for various overseas consular functions, but the Washington Embassy's current passport procedure explicitly requires an in-person passport application. Other missions may have different administrative procedures, so the jurisdictional mission's instructions control.
The Washington Embassy currently estimates about 3 to 4 weeks for in-person pickup, about 4 weeks for USPS return, and about 1 week after application through its DHL Passport Express option. Other Korean missions can publish different timelines.
A typical adult application requires the Korean passport application form, your most recent Korean passport and a copy of its photo page, one passport photograph, proof of U.S. residency/status and the applicable fee. Additional documents may be required for minors, dual nationals, military-service cases, lost passports or information changes.
Military-service rules can affect Korean male citizens subject to military obligations, but it is not correct to say that every male aged 18-37 must attach the same military document to every passport application. For applicable persons aged 25 and older who have not resolved their military obligations, an overseas-travel permit from the Military Manpower Administration may be required.
Yes, some Korean missions provide mail-return service. Washington currently offers USPS return and also provides instructions for DHL Passport Express. This does not mean the passport application itself can necessarily be submitted by mail; Washington requires in-person application.
Have questions about valid U.S. visas in expired passports, postal safety, or state DMV rules?
⬆️ Refer to FAQ Section Above Official Reference Portals
- https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-en/brd/m_27802/view.do?seq=3
- https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-ko/brd/m_4477/view.do?seq=1284301
- https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-atlanta-en/brd/m_4850/view.do?seq=1
- https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-atlanta-ko/brd/m_26349/view.do?seq=95
- https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-newyork-ko/brd/m_4216/view.do?seq=766336
- https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-newyork-ko/brd/m_4218/view.do?seq=1312351
- https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-ko/brd/m_4483/view.do?seq=1327906
- https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-en/brd/m_4505/view.do?seq=2
- https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-losangeles-en/brd/m_4394/view.do?seq=761563
- https://www.gov.kr/mw/AA020InfoCappView.do?CappBizCD=12600000001
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Guide At-A-Glance
Listed Fees$52.00 USD (58-pg) | $49.00 USD (26-pg) | Minor: $44.00 USD
Listed Processing TimeApproximately 3 to 4 weeks (In-Person Pickup) | ~4 weeks (USPS Mail Return)
Listed Submission MethodEmbassy and Consulates General of the Republic of Korea in USA
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