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South Korea Passport Number validator
How the passport number format works
- Format
- 1 letter denoting passport type (M ordinary, S/O official, D diplomatic, R legacy) followed by 8 digits
- Example
- M12345678
Things to watch for
- Format-only check — does not confirm the passport was actually issued, is unexpired, or is currently valid
- The "R" (legacy permanent-resident) prefix was discontinued in 2017 but older passports using it can remain valid for years
- Validation runs entirely in your browser — the number you enter is never transmitted or stored
^[MSROD][0-9]{8}$A South Korean passport number starts with a single letter denoting the passport type — M for ordinary, S or O for official, D for diplomatic, or R for a legacy permanent-resident category — followed by 8 digits, e.g. M12345678, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea. The R prefix stopped being issued in 2017, but since a South Korean passport can remain valid for up to 10 years, R-prefixed numbers are still expected to appear on real documents for some time yet.
What this checker verifies
This tool confirms the input starts with one of the five documented type letters and is followed by exactly 8 digits, catching an obvious typo like a mistyped prefix letter or a missing digit.
What a pass doesn’t confirm
No check digit is documented for this format, so matching the letter-plus-8-digit shape is the strongest signal a client-side check can give. A pass doesn’t confirm the Ministry of Foreign Affairs actually issued that number, that the passport is unexpired, or that it belongs to a real holder, and nothing you type is decoded or stored.
Scope: format-only validation, running entirely in your browser.
Content last reviewed 2026-08-09.
passport number FAQ
What does the leading letter on a South Korean passport mean?
It denotes the passport type: M for ordinary, S or O for official, D for diplomatic, and R for a legacy permanent-resident category, followed by 8 digits, e.g. M12345678. It's issued by South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Is the R-prefix format still issued?
No. The R (legacy permanent-resident) prefix was discontinued in 2017, though older passports carrying it can still be valid for years, so this checker continues to accept it.
Does a valid format confirm the passport is real?
No. It only checks the 9-character shape. Confirming the passport was actually issued or is currently valid requires the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' own records.