Attesting Korean Documents (FAQs)

Yes - South Korea is a member of the Apostille Convention.

Korean documents can be legalized for use abroad with an Apostille Stamp when destined for other signatory countries without additional certification by the destination country.

When Korean documents are required for non-apostille countries, such as United Arab Emirates - Taiwan - Malaysia - Thailand - Zambia - Qatar they need additional authentication by the embassy of the destination country.

For further information see:
South Korea Apostille Services

Apostilles in Korea can be obtained to authenticate documents issued by central or local government agencies, including:

• Certificates of Family Relations
• Criminal record and police background checks issued by the National Police Agency
• University diplomas, certificates of graduation and enrolment
• Driving records issued by the National Police Agency
• Passport Records
• Certificates of Business Registration issued by the National Tax Service
• Certificates of Origin, free sale, health certificates and GMP certificates
• Court documents

To confirm whether your document is eligible for apostille authentication in South Korea, please contact us and we’ll check your document free of charge. For further information about our Korean apostille services and for assistance obtaining official copies of Korean documents, see:
South Korea Apostille Services

Korean Police Background Checks, Investigation Records Check and Criminal Record Certificates issued by the National Police Agency can be authenticated with an Apostille Stamp from the Overseas Koreans Agency. The original certificate is required.

Applications in Korea: Persons requiring a criminal record certificate for the purpose of foreign visa or residency applications should request a Criminal (Investigation) Records Check Reply (범죄· 수사경력 회보서). Applications in Korea may be submitted online on the Korean Police (in Korean) website. Applicants (or an authorized representative) will then need to visit a Korean Police Station (in Korean) to process the application.

Applications from outside Korea: From outside Korea, requests for a Criminal(Investigation) Record Check Report should be made through a South Korean Embassy (applicants will need to visit the embassy in person).

Depending on the requirements of the foreign authority requesting the police certificate, the certificate must indicate that all records have been searched, including any lapsed records (실효된 형 포함). You should specifically request a search on your entire record: Criminal Records (including lapsed criminal sentences), and investigation records.

To apostille a South Korean Criminal Record Check Report takes 1 – 3 workings days.

If you need a South Korean Criminal Record Check Report for certification by Apostille, a certificate can normally be obtained from the Korean embassy or consulate. However, we can also obtain a certificate for you in Korea (available in English or Korean). It takes about 1 – 2 weeks, and then another 1 – 3 days to obtain an Apostille.

Apostille Stamps to authenticate Korean university diplomas, certificates of graduation and enrolment can be obtained from the Overseas Koreans Agency (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The original certificate is required.

Documents issued by private universities must be notarized and then authenticated with an Apostille from the Ministry of Justice.

Korean Apostille Stamps to authenticate General Educational Development certificates can be obtained from the Overseas Koreans Agency.

You can see reviews from past clients who have used our attestation and apostille services:

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Degree certificates and diplomas required for submission to the authorities of the United Arab Emirates must be authenticated by the Overseas Koreans Agency (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and then attested by the UAE embassy in Seoul.

Korean university degree certificates and diplomas required for submission to the authorities of Saudi Arabia can be authenticated with an Apostille Stamp from the Overseas Koreans Agency or Ministry of Justice (private universities). Since Saudi Arabia joined the Apostille Convention, attestation by the Saudi embassy in Seoul is no longer required.

Korean university degree certificates and diplomas required for submission to the authorities of Mainland China can be authenticated with an Apostille Stamp from the Overseas Koreans Agency or Ministry of Justice (private universities). Since China joined the Apostille Convention, attestation by the Chinese embassy in Seoul is no longer required.

Korean Apostille Stamps can be verified online:
Verify an Apostille

Apostille stamps to authenticate Korean Certificates of Family Relations can be obtained from the Overseas Koreans Agency. For assistance obtaining an official copy of the Family Relations Certificate in Korea, please contact us