What to say at a Korean 주민센터 (전입신고 / jeonip singo)

You get the keys. Then you have two clocks, not one. Move-in registration — 전입신고 (jeonip singo) — at the 주민센터 (jumin senteo) is generally within 14 days. A registered foreigner also reports a change of stay — 체류지변경신고 (cheryuji byeongyeong singo) — within 15 days. One filing does not replace the other.

The Korean district office phrase page has the short lines for the queue. This is the visit. Korea's government study portal states the 15-day address change for registered foreigners on its residence page. The civil petition for a foreigner's stay-address change is listed on 정부24: immigration office, district office, or 읍·면·동 주민센터 (eup / myeon / dong jumin senteo), with the lease or a host confirmation.

Which desk, which clock

전입신고 (jeonip singo) is the domestic address. It is also how a lease starts to count against third parties under housing-lease protection — the confirmed date stamp 확정일자 (hwakjeong ilja) is the paper people mean when they say “protect the deposit.” 체류지변경신고 (cheryuji byeongyeong singo) is immigration. Call 1345 if you are past the deadline and do not guess.

• 전입신고를 하고 싶습니다. (jeonipsingoreul hago sipseumnida) — I want to file a move-in report.
• 체류지변경신고도 해야 하나요? (cheryuji byeongyeongsingodo haeya hanayo) — Do I also need to report a change of stay?
• 예약을 해야 하나요? (yeyageul haeya hanayo) — Do I need an appointment first?
• 계약서를 가져왔습니다. (gyeyakseoreul gajyeowatseumnida) — I brought the contract.

Bring the alien registration card if you have one, the lease in your name, or a signed 숙소제공확인서 (sukso jegong hwaginseo) if you are on someone else's contract.

At the counter

안녕하세요. (annyeonghaseyo) Put the folder down. They will ask which address and whose name is on the lease.

• 어떤 서류가 필요합니까? (eotteon seoryuga piryohamnikka) — What documents do I need?
• 이 서류를 이해하지 못하겠습니다. (i seoryureul ihaehaji mothagetsseumnida) — I do not understand this document.
• 조금 더 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? (jogeum deo cheoncheonhi malsseumhae jusigesseoyo) — Could you speak a little more slowly?
• 확정일자를 받고 싶습니다. (hwakjeongiljareul batgo sipseumnida) — I would like the confirmed-date stamp.

Ask whether this visit also stamps 확정일자 (hwakjeong ilja). The immigration report and the deposit-protection stamp are different marks, even when they happen at the same counter.

If something is missing

• 서류가 하나 부족합니다. 어떤 건가요? (seoryuga hana bujokhamnida. eotteon geongayo) — I am missing a document. Which one?
• 오늘 오후에 복사본을 가지고 와도 될까요? (oneul ohue boksaboneul gajigo wado doelkkayo) — Can I come back this afternoon with a copy?
• 증명서를 받으러 왔습니다. (jeungmyeongseoreul badeureo watseumnida) — I am here to collect the certificate.

Photograph every stamp before you leave. The next office that asks for 전입신고 (jeonip singo) will not care that you almost finished it on Tuesday.

The Korean that matters is short: I am here to report the move-in, here is the contract, please go slower. Practise it out loud the night before.