i-PIN is an abbreviation for ‘Internet Personal Identification Number’ and can be issued to any citizen of the Republic of Korea.
It is an alternative to the resident registration number and is used to verify identity on the Internet. It is similar to authenticating your real name with your existing resident registration number, and there is no need to enter your real name and resident registration number on each website.
If you are an adult or minor who finds personal authentication difficult, you can use your i-PIN to authenticate yourself online. Below, learn about i-PIN issuing institutions and issuance methods that can be issued without a visit, and how to issue i-PIN to minors.
i-PIN issuing agency
There are three private institutions that issue i-PIN: Seoul Credit Rating Information (SCI), Nice Credit Rating Information (NICE), and Korea Credit View (KCB), and a public i-PIN issued by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security. Like a public certificate, if you receive an i-PIN from one of the four organizations, you can use it anywhere.
How to issue i-PIN
i-PIN can be issued through four identification methods.
There is a way to verify your identity using your mobile phone. It can be issued only if you have a mobile phone opened in your name. If you select your mobile phone number and mobile carrier on the i-PIN issuance screen, a text message with an authentication number will be sent. Just enter the authentication number into the i-PIN issuance screen.
Sign up with a public certificate. This is a method of verifying the name and resident registration number of the individual seeking issuance by using a general-purpose public certificate issued by the individual.
You can sign up with a credit card. Like mobile phones and public certificates, you can apply for i-PIN issuance after verifying your identity by entering the 16-digit credit card number, expiration date, and password.
If you are unable to apply for issuance using the three methods above, you must visit the i-PIN issuing agency. The identity of the issuance applicant can be verified online, but if this is not possible, it must be done offline. Bring your ID and visit the i-PIN issuing agency.
Minors and foreigners without an ID card, and applicants without the three online identity verification methods listed above, can create an i-PIN if an identity guarantor verifies the applicant’s identity.
In the case of a minor, the relationship between the minor and the legal representative can be confirmed through the Ministry of Public Administration and Security’s resident registration system on the issuing agency’s online website, then the legal representative’s information is entered and the legal representative’s identity is confirmed, and the certificate can be issued on their behalf.
For foreigners, enter the alien registration number and name on your alien registration card. If you do not have an alien registration card, you must have an identity guarantor, and citizens residing abroad must have their identity verified through the resident registration verification system to receive a public i-PIN issued by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
One thing to note is that i-PIN issuance, which could be issued at community centers, has been discontinued from January 2022. If you need to issue an in-person issuance, you can visit the customer center of a private issuing agency.
Online i-PIN issuance procedure
The online issuance order of the three private institutions and the Ministry of Public Administration and Security is as follows.
1. Access the online i-PIN website
2. Click New Issuance of i-PIN
3. Agree to the terms and conditions of new i-PIN issuance
4. Enter user information
5. Verify your identity using any available method.
6. Set additional authentication methods
7. Enter the secondary password
8. i-PIN issuance completed
For adults and minors who have difficulty verifying their identity online, it is now very inconvenient to not have the necessary i-PIN. This is because identity verification has become a necessary part of online website registration throughout all aspects of life. Since it is required for all aspects of travel, accommodation reservations, shopping, etc., let’s live a convenient life by obtaining an i-PIN that can be used continuously once issued.