Restricting Access to a Domestic Violence Victim's Resident Registration Records — Designating Restricted Persons and Supporting Evidence

Procedure

1. 1. Check eligibility

   The applicant is a victim under Article 2(5) of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Domestic Violence Crimes, meaning a person directly harmed by a domestic violence crime. The application is only possible when the victim's registered address differs from the offender's, so a victim who has moved should first complete the move-in report. Violence between former spouses, lineal ascendants and descendants, and relatives living together also counts as domestic violence.

2. 2. Designate restricted persons

   Restricted persons are designated from among those listed in Article 29(2)5 of the Resident Registration Act: the spouse and lineal blood relatives of the head of household, lineal blood relatives of the head of household's spouse, spouses of the head of household's lineal blood relatives, and the spouses and lineal blood relatives of household members. For each restricted person, the application states the relationship to the applicant (as shown in the family relations register), name, and address or resident registration number. Household members and lineal ascendants and descendants who will also be protected are listed in the applicant section and sign the form.

3. 3. Prepare supporting evidence

   Prepare one of the documents set by law, such as a counseling confirmation from a domestic violence counseling center or emergency call center, an admission confirmation from a domestic violence victim shelter, a certified copy of a court decision on temporary measures or a victim protection order, a notice of the disposition of a complaint or accusation, a police notice of investigation results, or a copy of a final court judgment. If a confirmation from a crime victim protection facility is submitted, a medical certificate from a medical institution or a document issued by a police office explaining the domestic violence damage must be submitted with it.

4. 4. Apply in person at the community service center

   The victim personally presents an identification document, such as a resident registration card, at an eup or myeon office or a dong community service center and submits the application and supporting evidence. Processing is immediate and there is no fee. Once the restriction is applied, the head of the issuing office notifies the restricted person of the reason in writing.

5. 5. Effect and lifting of the restriction

   Restricted persons cannot inspect or obtain certified copies or abstracts of the resident registration records of the protected victim and family, and abstract requests based on interests such as debts and claims are also restricted. To lift the restriction, the applicant files a lifting application; if the applicant has died, household members, lineal ascendants and descendants, or the restricted person may apply for lifting if they meet the conditions set by law, such as consent from all family members at the same address.

Required documents

• Application for restriction of inspection or issuance of certified copies and abstracts of resident registration records (Enforcement Rule of the Resident Registration Act, Annex Form No. 14-3)
• Identification document (resident registration card, mobile resident registration card, etc., presented)
• One supporting document: counseling confirmation, shelter or emergency refuge admission confirmation, notice of a decision to change the resident registration number, certified copy of a temporary measure or victim protection order decision, notice of the disposition of a complaint or accusation, notice of investigation results, copy of a final court judgment, etc.
• When submitting a confirmation from a crime victim protection facility: a medical certificate from a medical institution or a police-issued document explaining the domestic violence damage
• For lifting: application for lifting the restriction (same Enforcement Rule, Annex Form No. 14-4), and for lifting after the applicant's death, a consent form (Annex Form No. 14-5)

Fees

Industry fees range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand won. We quote after consultation based on how much evidence is already available, the number of family members to protect along with the restricted persons, and whether a lifting application is also needed. There is no government fee for this application.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Resident Registration Act, Article 29
• Resident Registration Act, Article 7-4
• Enforcement Decree of the Resident Registration Act, Article 47-2
• Enforcement Rule of the Resident Registration Act, Article 13-2
• Enforcement Rule of the Resident Registration Act, Annex Form No. 14-3
• Enforcement Rule of the Resident Registration Act, Annex Form No. 14-4
• Enforcement Rule of the Resident Registration Act, Annex Form No. 14-5
• Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Domestic Violence Crimes, Article 2

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-09

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

• No application can be made while the victim and offender share the same registered address, so the victim should first change their registered address through a move-in report.
• Once the restriction is applied, the restricted person is notified of the reason in writing, so it is advisable to make a personal safety plan at the same time.

Frequently asked questions