Anyone with a prior e-passport issuance record can now apply online, regardless of age; legal guardians may apply on behalf of minors through Government24, reducing the need for in-person district office visits
Seoul's Gangbuk-gu district office said it has expanded online passport renewal applications to include minors, making the service more convenient for residents.
Previously, only those aged 18 or older with a prior electronic passport issuance record were eligible to apply online. Under the revised system, any citizen with an e-passport issuance history may now apply online regardless of age.
Applications can be submitted through the Government24 portal by the applicant or, in the case of a minor, by a legal guardian following identity verification. Applicants must prepare a passport photo file, and an online payment system fee will be charged in addition to the standard passport issuance fee. However, first-time electronic passport applicants and those applying for diplomatic, official or emergency passports are excluded from the online option.
Using the online renewal service means residents need to visit the district office only once — to collect the finished passport — eliminating the previous requirement to appear in person twice for both application and pickup.
The renewed passport must be collected in person by the applicant or, for a minor, by a legal guardian. Applicants whose existing passport still has remaining validity must bring it when collecting the new one. Residents with questions about the online renewal process may contact the Civil Affairs and Passport Division.
"Expanding the online passport renewal service means more residents can use civil affairs services conveniently, without being constrained by time or location," district mayor Lee Soon-hee said. "We will continue to strengthen digital administrative services to build a resident-centered, convenient civil affairs environment."
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