Consulate General, March 4 – March 25, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.: visting without appointment

There are a lot of documents to prepare in advance.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta (Consul General Sangpyo Suh) announced that in order to improve the convenience of civil affairs services for Koreans living in the southeastern region of the United States, it will temporarily implement a no-appointment in-person application system for applications for renunciation of nationality for those with dual citizenship born in 2007.

The consulate general has posted detailed instructions on its website. Those who are eligible can visit the consulate general without an appointment between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. from March 4 to 25.  

 The target is a person with congenital multiple citizenship born in 2007 who has completed the submission documents for reporting renunciation of nationality  . In the case of a person with congenital multiple citizenship, he or she must complete the report of renunciation of nationality by March 31 of the year in which he or she turns 18 years old to renounce nationality without military service obligation. After that, renunciation of nationality is possible only after military service obligation is relieved. For example, a person born in October 2007 has not yet turned 18, but must report renunciation of nationality by March 31, 2025, the year in which he or she turns 18, to renounce nationality without military service obligation.

Please note that if your father or mother was a Korean citizen (permanent resident, visa) at the time of birth in 2007, you are a congenital dual citizen  and must have your parents’ marriage registered and your own birth registered (registered in the family relations register) in order to renounce your citizenship. Marriage registration and birth registration take approximately 4 weeks and cannot be done at the same time as renunciation of citizenship.

 The required documents are ①  a report on renunciation of nationality  (download the form from the embassy website), ②  a certificate of foreign residence  (download the form from the embassy website), ③  a confirmation of renunciation notice  (download the form from the embassy website), ④  a certificate of identity verification  (download the form from the embassy website), ⑤  an original and copy of a foreign passport  (passport must be valid for at least 1 year),  ⑥  a family relationship certificate issued in the name of the applicant for renunciation of nationality within the past 3 months  , etc.

The Consulate General explained that, in particular, in order to renounce nationality, even if the birth was reported in the United States,  the birth must first be reported and registered in the family relations register in Korea , and renunciation of nationality is not possible without a family relations register, and family relations registration must be completed in advance through a birth report before the March 31st deadline for renunciation of nationality.

In addition, you must submit your own basic certificate (detailed) and each parent’s basic certificate (detailed) issued within the past 3 months → (total of 3 copies) .

Below are the links for each
     ※ Basic certificate issuance method
      – How to apply by visiting the consulate general (click)
      – How to apply for issuance online (same-day issuance) (click)
      – How to issue a joint certificate from an overseas mission (click)
      – How to report a birth at an overseas mission (click)

In addition, ⑧  original and copy of birth certificate, 1 copy each of Korean translation,  ⑨  original and copy of valid passport of parent , ⑩  proof of permanent residence of parent, etc.

As proof of parents’ permanent residence purpose,

       ⓐ In case of a U.S. citizen: Original and 1 copy of U.S. citizenship certificate (if the name on the citizenship certificate and the name on the family relations registration are different, original and 1 copy of name change certificate; if the parent acquires U.S. citizenship, a report of loss of nationality is required)
       ⓑ In case of a permanent resident: Original and 1 copy of permanent
       resident card ⓒ In case of applying for permanent resident card: Original and 1 copy of permanent resident card receipt
       ⓓ In case the parent has resided in the U.S. for more than 17 consecutive years since the birth of the child (not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident): Official documents that can prove the fact (e.g. tax report, child academic records, immigration certificate, etc.).

 Lastly, ⑪  Envelope for returning the report of renunciation of nationality (attach the recipient’s name, address, and 2 Forever Stamps to a regular envelope), ⑫ 1  passport photo (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm) , ⑬  Fee: $20, which must be paid in cash or money order (pay to: Korean Consulate) .

For more detailed information on other reports of renunciation of nationality, please check the notices on the Atlanta Consulate General website. Below is the link to the Consulate General.

Guide to Reporting Loss of Nationality (Congenital Multiple Citizenship Holders) (Click to go to the post)

<Reporter Eugene Lee>

Search continues for Westminster teacher, coach on 11th day

Man, only sneakers found on the water in the area

More questions are being raised about the disappearance of an Atlanta-area couple from a small boat as new details emerge in the investigation into a death on an eastern Georgia lake.

The Lake Oconee search for Gary Jones, a coach and teacher at Westminster, a prestigious Atlanta private school, entered its 11th day Tuesday, as the search for his fiancée continued.

According to investigators, the couple had planned a boat trip to celebrate Gary Jones’ 50th birthday, and the icing-covered cookies were still found inside his small fishing boat.

Jones and his wife , Joyceline Nicole Wilson,  were seen on the boat on the 8th. But about two hours later, when the boat was circling a few miles north of Wallace Dam, no one was on board.

The next morning, Wilson’s body was pulled from the water. On Monday, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials told him Wilson still had his cell phone in his right hand. Sills said Wilson’s autopsy results raised more questions.

“The totality of the circumstances requires us to take additional action to fully investigate this incident,” Sills added Monday afternoon.

Sills previously said Wilson’s death was “no longer a simple drowning. This is a death investigation.” Details of her cause of death have not been released.

Wilson taught math at Spelman College, and Jones, a man, taught science and coached track at Westminster School. The two met as students at Clark Atlanta University about 30 years ago, but Wilson’s friend Natasha Harrison said the two reconnected. After getting engaged over the holidays, the couple planned to marry on March 14.

On the 8th, the weather was unusually warm as Jones and Wilson put their Sun Dolphin Pro 120 into the water at Fish Tale Marina at the ramp along Ga. 44. Once in the water, Jones steered the boat to The Lodge on Lake Oconee, where he picked up Wilson. Wilson drove the truck back to the hotel, Sills previously stated, where the two men waded through the frigid water.

About two hours later, the ship was discovered moving in a circle without Jones or Wilson on board.

According to Sills, investigators reviewed some video footage from the eighth day, but it did not provide any clues as to what happened to the couple. Both were healthy adults and could swim, the sheriff said. However, he said the small boat was not a typical boat seen on the lake.

“The boat they were on was not made for these waters,” said Sills. “It was a dangerous situation from the start.”

The DNR said the boat was registered in Jones’ name, who did not have a fishing license.

When the boat was found, Jones’ brown trifold wallet containing her driver’s license was on the empty vessel, as was her room key card to The Lodge, Sills said. Wilson’s identification, some cash and credit cards were in a fanny pack she was carrying, he said.

According to investigators, after Wilson’s body was discovered, Jones’ gray Nike sneakers were found in the water about 15 yards away, near rocks in the area.

Wilson’s funeral has not been announced publicly. Through a spokesperson, the Jones family thanked those who helped search and asked for privacy.

Meanwhile, fellow teachers who work with Jones at private high schools posted messages on social media wishing for his safe return and remembering his devotion.

<Reporter Eugene Lee>