NCRC Guide to Requesting Your Adoption Files
Updated: Sep 11
Step-by-Step Guide to Requesting Your Adoption Files
Step 1: Log in to the ENGLISH Portal
Navigate to the official English NCRC portal and log into your account you set up
On the main navigation or quick menu, click on Adoption Information Disclosure.
Step 2: Fill Out the Application Details
Fill out all available information in the disclosure form (Korean name stated on your adoption file required):
NAME (KOREAN): Input, to the best of your ability, your given Korean name stated on your adoption file
Name (English): Input the adopted/English name given to you
DATE OF BIRTH (YYYYMMDD): Make sure to check the box stating "Check if you do not currently hold South Korean nationality" if applicable
RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:
When inputing your current state of address, you will need to choose between two checkboxes: "Search Address" and "Enter Manually"
Applicants currently living in Korea are the only ones who are able to search their address (first checkbox) while all those living outside the country will need to select the alternative checkbox.
*If you do not have a postal code, enter identifiable information from your mailing address, it's okay to enter the same information on line two of the address.
PHONE NUMBER
EMAIL ADDRESS:
**This is broken into two boxes, enter your email address and then the hosting/domain address (i.e. gmail.com, icloud.com, etc.)
ADOPTIVE COUNTRY: Where you were adopted to. Not where you are currently living.
APPLICATION TYPE: Select "New Application"
ADOPTION AGENCY: The agency you were originally from in Korea.
REQUEST TYPE (CRUCIAL FIELDS): You will be given checkboxes regarding what data you want released. To request original documents containing your biological parents' details, check the box that explicitly states "Disclosure including information on birth parents."
This means that NCRC will be requesting the consent from BOTH birth parents and their approval/disapproval/state of being will depend on whether their information will or will not be disclosed.
Note: If you do not wish to request your biological parents' information, then you can request "Disclosure excluding information on birth parents," — this may or may not expedite your application request; however, do note that if you wish to find your birth parents' information after receiving your initial paperwork, you will need to refill out this application and start the search process again, putting you back in the queue.
DISCLOSURE METHOD: You will choose how you want to receive the files. Select Electronic File. Note: Because international mail delivery to overseas addresses can be slow, unreliable, and expensive, NCRC recommends choosing electronic files to securely receive scanned copies of your original documents.
METHOD OF RECEIPT: Select "Information & Communication Network (Email, etc.)"
Note: Both Disclosure Method and Method of Receipt may be changed after consultation.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (E.G., MEDICAL REASONS): If you require birth parent identifying information strictly for a critical medical emergency (e.g., diagnosing a congenital/genetic disease, rare illness, or finding an organ transplant match), you can bypass standard consent by uploading an official doctor's medical statement issued within the last six (6) months stating this exact necessity.
DISABILITY STATUS
APPLICATION FORM: A hand-signed copy of the Application for Disclosure of Adoption Information. (You can fill it out digitally but YOU MUST HAND-SIGN THE SIGNATURE BLOCK BEFORE UPLOADING).
COPY OF IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT: A clear, color scan of your current, valid foreign passport (photo and detail page), driver's license, resident registration card, or residence card.
Note for Minors: If you are under the age of 18, you must also upload a hand-signed consent form from your adoptive parents, a copy of their IDs, and a legal document proving adoptive parenthood (such as an adoption certificate or family relations document).
MEDICAL OPINION OR DIAGNOSIS: Only for those who have a special circumstance/medical reason (e.g., diagnosing a congenital/genetic disease, rare illness, or finding an organ transplant match) to upload their officIal doctor’s medical statement within the last six (6) months in order to bypass standard consent.
IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT THE PRIVACY LAW
It is deeply important to understand Korean privacy law limitations regarding birth parent information so you know what to expect:
THE CONSENT REQUIREMENT: Under the Special Act on Domestic Adoption, the NCRC cannot legally hand over the unredacted names, resident numbers, or contact details of your birth parents without their explicit, signed consent.
IF CONTENT IS MISSING: When you submit this request, the NCRC will use the legal details in your archive to attempt to locate your biological parents and ask for their permission to release their data.
WHAT YOU RECEIVE FIRST: Initially, you will receive your “Adoption Background Information.” This includes everything except your birth parents' identifying details — such as their ages at the time of your adoption, the general city or region they lived in, and the documented reasons for your adoption.
VIEWING YOUR ORIGINAL FILES IN PERSON: When your application is approved, and you wish to see or review the original physical documents or scanned files, YOU CANNOT SIMPLY WALK INTO THE NCRC OFFICE IN SEOUL.
Once your results are processed, you must use the portal to submit a Visit Reservation. You are only allowed to schedule an in-person file review after your initial official information disclosure application has been reviewed and a “Notice of Results” has been officially issued to you.
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