After a move, the resident registration report is easy to put off until “the weekend.” Article 16(1) of Korea’s Resident Registration Act requires it within 14 days of moving in, and article 40(4) sets a fine of up to 50,000 won if you are late. The amount splits into five bands by how late you are. We read the Act and Annex 4 of its Decree as written.
1. The deadline is 14 days from the day you move in. The report goes to the mayor, county head or district head of the new address, and the person responsible is the head of household. If they cannot, the person managing the household, the resident themselves, or an authorised spouse or lineal relative may report.
2. Late reports cost 5,000 to 50,000 won. Reporting within 7 days after the deadline costs 5,000 won, within 1 month 20,000, within 3 months 30,000, within 6 months 40,000, and after 6 months 50,000 won.
3. A false move-in report is a crime, not a fine. Reporting false facts about resident registration carries up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won (art. 37(1)3-2).
Who, and by when — articles 16 and 11
Resident Registration Act article 16(1) Where all or some members of a household move residence, the person obliged to report under article 11 or 12 shall file a move-in report with the mayor, county head or district head of the new residence within 14 days of the day of moving in.
| Situation | Who reports | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary household | Head of household | Art. 11(1), main text |
| Head of household cannot report | The person managing the household · the resident · the head’s authorised spouse, lineal relative, spouse’s lineal relative or lineal relative’s spouse | Art. 11(1), proviso |
| Dormitories, care homes and other shared lodgings | The lodging’s manager (or the resident if not) | Art. 12(1) |
Moving only some household members still requires a report (“all or some”). On receiving it, the new office notifies the old one and asks for the registration record to be transferred (art. 16(2)), which reads as a structure where no separate move-out report is needed.
If late — Decree Annex 4, item (d)
| Reported after the 14 days | Fine | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Within 7 days | 5,000 won | Annex 4, 2(d)1) |
| Within 1 month | 20,000 won | (d)2) |
| Within 3 months | 30,000 won | (d)3) |
| Within 6 months | 40,000 won | (d)4) |
| After 6 months, or never | 50,000 won | (d)5) |
For example, if you moved on 1 March, the deadline is 14 days later, and reporting within a week after that falls in the 5,000 won band (our counting). The same item also applies to late reports under articles 11 to 13 (including corrections) and late applications under the first sentence of article 24(4).
Ignoring a reminder — item (c)
If you are given a reminder with a deadline, or named in a public notice, under article 20(2) and (3) and still do not report in time, the fine moves to article 40(3), up to 100,000 won. Annex 4 item (c) sets 10,000 won within 7 days, 30,000 within 1 month, 50,000 within 3 months, 70,000 within 6 months, and 100,000 won after 6 months — roughly double item (d).
When it can be reduced — general standard (c)
The authority may cut the fine by up to one half, or up to three quarters for people covered by article 2-2(1) of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Regulation of Violations of Public Order (such as basic livelihood recipients) or where economic circumstances need considering. Minor carelessness or error, little harm, and efforts to correct the breach are also grounds. There is no reduction while a fine is in arrears.
Checklist
- ☐ Note the day you moved in — 14 days from then
- ☐ Report even if only some members moved
- ☐ Renting on jeonse or monthly rent? Get the fixed date the same day — jeonse contract checklist
- ☐ Never register at an address you do not live in — false reports carry 3 years or 30 million won
Questions that remain
When do the 14 days start?
The article says “within 14 days of the day of moving in to the new residence.” The start is the day you actually moved, not the contract or final payment date.
Can someone report for me?
The proviso to article 11(1) lets the head of household’s authorised spouse, lineal relative and others report where the head cannot. The Decree sets the scope and documents, so check with the community service centre.
Sources
- Resident Registration Act [in force 22 Jul 2025] [Act No. 20677] — original text (checked 30 September 2026). Source for articles 11 and 12 (who reports), article 16 (14 days), article 20 (fact checks and reminders), article 37(1)3-2 (false reports) and article 40(3) and (4) (up to 100,000 and 50,000 won).
- Enforcement Decree of the Resident Registration Act [in force 28 Apr 2026] [Presidential Decree No. 36282] — original text. Source for article 58-2 and Annex 4, standards for fines (added 10 January 2023).
Where to check further
- Filing the report — the community service centre at the new address, or Government24.
- Registration certificates — resident registration copies.
Written on 30 September 2026. Articles and annexes are from the National Law Information Center; the tables and day counts are ours.
