Step-by-Step Guide: Applying for Adoption Information Disclosure

Last Updated: October 2025

Starting in September 2025, all adoptees must pursue adoption document disclosure that was previously run through individual adoption agencies of Eastern Social Welfare Society, Holt Children's Services, Korea Social Service, and Korea Welfare Services / Social Welfare Services via Korean Adoption Services' website which can be found here.

Below is a handy guide on how to fill the forms out. This guide is split up into 4 sections:

• Before you begin

• How to fill out the "Adoption Information Disclosure" Forms

• After Submission

• NCRC's Contact Information

Before you Begin

GAIN CONSENT FROM YOUR ADOPTIVE PARENTS IF YOU WISH TO VIEW THE PARTS OF YOUR FILE PERTAINING TO THEM (OPTIONAL, UNLESS UNDER 18)

If you would like the section of your adoption file that includes information specific to your adoptive parents, including their application and subsequent updates such as pictures and reports sent to the adoption agency, please be sure your adoptive parents fill out the "Adoptive Parents' Consent Form". Here's how:

1. This can be found by clicking "Adoption Information Disclosure," then "Information."

2. Click "Adoptive Parents' Consent Form"

3. Have your adoptive parents fill out the form. Scan the image and save the file to attach to the "Adoption Disclosure of Information" forms.

DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE MEDICAL REASONS FOR SEEKING INFORMATION & GATHER PAPERWORK (OPTIONAL)

If your doctor resides outside of Korea: If there is a medical reason for seeking birth family information, you must get a notarized Korean translation of a doctor’s statement or medical certificate issued within the past 6 months.

If your doctor resides in Korea: If there is a medical reason for seeking birth family information, you must get a doctor’s statement or medical certificate issued within the past 6 months.

What qualifies as a medical reason for seeking birth family information? Cases where verifying the identity of the birth parents is necessary for diagnosis and treatment of a disease, specifically where information is required concerning congenital or genetic disorders, rare diseases, or the possibility of organ transplantation.

CREATE A KOREAN ADOPTION SERVICES ACCOUNT (REQUIRED)

Ensure you have signed up for a Korean Adoption Services account or sign into your existing account.

Please Note, when signing up for a new account:

• Whatever your ID is, it will be case sensitive when you re-enter it to sign in. Make sure it's something you can remember.

• For the birthday field, the Korean structure for dates is YYYY/MM/DD

• Assuming you are a person and not an organization, for Authorized Organization, click "No"

How to fill out the "Adoption Information Disclosure" Forms

1. Once signed into your account, click "Adoption Information Disclosure" from the top Menu Bar, then click "Apply"

2. On the "Apply" screen, click "Agree" and scroll down

3. Assuming you would like information about your birth family (if it is actually in your file), be sure to check "Disclosure INCLUDING information on birth parents"

If you DO NOT want information about your birth family (regardless of whether your file contains the information), be sure to check "Disclosure EXCLUDING information on birth parents".

4. Assuming you would like any and all adoption documents and any and all information about your birth family on file, you will need to check all the boxes.

Uncheck any boxes of items you do not want.

You may fill out "Other" with the following copy-pastable text:

All documentation in my file, including but not limited to: police reports; City hall documentation; birth certificate; Hojuk; travel documents; medical reports for self and/or birth mother; official child summary; documents mentioning relatives and/or petitioners; any and all supplemental documents such as notes and/or pictures; any and all documents relating to birth family, birth circumstances, circumstances of my abandonment, foster family & orphanages. PLEASE INCLUDE ALL DOCUMENTS.

5. Fill out your preferred method of receiving the files.

If you plan to visit NCRC in person

1. Select "Viewing" and "In-person Visit" and any relevant files you would like to receive

2. Check Agree for "Method of Disclosure and receipt are subject to change following consultation with the caseworker."

For more information on visiting NCRC in person, please view the PDF file on their website here.

If you are in the United States or Korea and do not intend to visit NCRC

1. FOR EMAIL: Select "Electronic file" and the method in which you wish to receive the file. For email, select "Information & Communication Network"

2. FOR SNAIL MAIL: Select "Copy/Print out" and "Postal Mail"

3. FOR BOTH: Check Agree for "Method of Disclosure and receipt are subject to change following consultation with the caseworker."

If you have Medical Reasons for Seeking Adoption Disclosure

Check the box relevant to whether you have medical reasons for seeking birth family information. If there are medical reasons, such as a genetic disorder, rare disease, or need for organ transplant, you must get a doctor’s statement or medical certificate issued within the past 6 months. If the doctor resides outside of Korea, you must get a notarized Korean translation of the certificate or statement.

6. Open the Signing document by clicking "Sign"

7. To E-sign the document, click the word "Sign"

   
   

   A window should open which should allow you to write your signature

8. Click "Download" and save the file as a PDF to your desktop. You will need the PDF file for the next step.

9. Scroll to "File Attachments" Section. Re-upload the PDF document you just saved.

   
   

   Friendly Reminder:

   • The allowed File Types are: PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF, ZIP, HWP, DOC, PDF 

   • The upload size limit is: 1GB 

10. Attach an image of your Driver's License or Alien Registration Card. It can be an iPhone image.

11. If you have obtained Doctor's statements or Medical Certificates, attach them or copies of them.

If your doctor resides outside of Korea: If there is a medical reason for seeking birth family information, you must get a notarized Korean translation of a doctor’s statement or medical certificate issued within the past 6 months.

If your doctor resides in Korea: If there is a medical reason for seeking birth family information, you must get a doctor’s statement or medical certificate issued within the past 6 months.

12. Fill out the Captcha.

13. Press Submit.

14. After pressing submit, you should see 2 pop-ups. Click OK for both. The final pop-up will confirm that KAS has received your files.

After Application Submission

Timelines

You will receive notice, within 15 days, that the KAS has received your request. If you have requested disclosure including birth parent information, receiving your files will take up to 15 days. If you have NOT requested disclosure including birth parent information, receiving your files will take up to 45 days, per the FAQ. During high volume times, an extension of 30 days can be applied, bringing the total time to receiving files up to 45 days and 75 days, respectively.

Check the status of your application by navigating to "Progress"

It may take up to 15 days for this section to populate.

NCRC's Contact Information

Adoption Information Disclosure Support Department

Email: familysearch@ncrc.or.kr

Phone Number: +82-6454-8637~8640,8642,8649

Headquarters Address

G Square, 7th Floor

12, Sejong-daero 22-gil Jung-gu,

Seoul, ROK

Postal Code: 04525