Key facts at a glance
- ✓Korea has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention since 2007
- ✓E-2 visa applicants need an apostilled degree and background check
- ✓You must apostille documents in the country that issued them (not in Korea)
- ✓Canada began issuing apostilles in January 2024
- ✓Most apostilled documents also need certified Korean translation
Overview
An apostille is one of the most important (and most frequently overlooked) steps when preparing to move to Korea. Every year, thousands of foreigners delay their visa applications because they did not apostille their documents, apostilled the wrong ones, or made a procedural error that invalidated the certification.
The apostille system exists because countries need a way to verify that foreign documents are real. A degree from an American university means nothing to Korean immigration unless the US government certifies it is genuine. That certification is the apostille.
South Korea joined the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (commonly called the Apostille Convention) on July 14, 2007. This means apostilled documents from any of the 125 member countries are accepted directly by Korean authorities without further embassy legalization.
125+
Hague member countries
2007
Korea joined Hague
4-6 wks
US mail processing
30-80K
Translation cost per doc
Source: Hague Conference on Private International Law, 2026
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a standardized certificate issued by a government authority that authenticates the origin of a public document. It is attached to (or stamped on) your original document, confirming that the signature, seal, or stamp on the document is genuine.
The apostille does not verify that the content of the document is true. It only confirms that the document was properly issued by the authority that claims to have issued it. For example, an apostille on your degree confirms that the university registrar's signature is authentic. It does not verify that you actually attended the university.
Apostille vs. embassy legalization
Before the Hague Convention, you had to get documents authenticated by your own government, then legalized by the Korean embassy in your country. This was slow and expensive. The apostille replaces both steps with a single certificate. If your country is a Hague member, you do not need embassy legalization. If your country is NOT a Hague member, you still need the traditional authentication and legalization process through the Korean embassy.
The apostille is a one-page certificate with a standardized format. It includes the country of origin, the name of the person who signed the document, the authority that issued the apostille, the date, and a unique identification number that can be verified online in many countries.
Which documents need apostille for Korea?
The documents you need to apostille depend on your visa type and purpose for coming to Korea. Here are the most common scenarios.
| Visa / Purpose | Documents Required |
|---|---|
| E-2 (English teaching) | Bachelor's degree, criminal background check (national-level), teaching certificate (if applicable) |
| E-1, E-3, E-5 (professional) | Degree certificate, professional licenses, criminal background check (depending on employer) |
| D-2 (university enrollment) | High school diploma or previous degree, transcripts |
| F-6 (marriage visa) | Birth certificate, single status certificate, criminal background check |
| F-2 / F-5 (residency) | Criminal background check, various supporting documents depending on category |
Important: Criminal background checks for Korean visa applications must be national-level. In the US, this means an FBI check (not a state-level check). In the UK, this means an ACRO police certificate. In Canada, this means an RCMP criminal record check. Local or state-level background checks will be rejected.
How to get apostille by country
United States
The US apostille authority is the US Department of State, Office of Authentications. Federal documents (FBI background check, US-issued passports) must be apostilled at the federal level. State-issued documents (birth certificates, state university degrees) can be apostilled by the relevant Secretary of State office.
For FBI background checks: Submit to the US Department of State by mail (Form DS-4194) or in person at their Washington, DC office. Mail processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. Walk-in appointments are same-day but must be scheduled in advance.
For state documents: Contact the Secretary of State in the state that issued the document. Processing times vary from same-day to 2 weeks. Many states accept online or mail applications. Fees range from $2 to $25 per document.
For university degrees:If your university is public (state-run), the Secretary of State in that state can apostille it directly. If your university is private, you may need to first have a notary public verify the document, then have the Secretary of State apostille the notary's certification.
United Kingdom
The UK apostille authority is the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), formerly the FCO. All UK-issued documents go through the same office.
Standard service: Submit documents by post to the FCDO Legalisation Office. Processing takes 2 to 5 business days after receipt. Cost is 30 GBP per document.
Premium (same-day) service: Available by post or drop-off in Milton Keynes. Processing on the same or next business day. Cost is 75 GBP per document.
ACRO police certificate: Request your ACRO certificate first (takes 2 to 4 weeks), then send it to the FCDO for apostille. Plan for a total of 4 to 6 weeks for the complete process.
Canada
Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024. The apostille authority is Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Previously, Canadians needed a two-step authentication and legalization process, which was slower and more complex.
Process: Submit your Canadian document to Global Affairs Canada for apostille. Federal documents (RCMP checks, federal court records) go directly to GAC. Provincial documents (birth certificates, provincial degrees) may first need authentication by the relevant provincial authority before GAC can issue the apostille.
Processing time: Standard processing is approximately 20 business days. Priority service options may be available. Check the GAC website for current wait times as this is a relatively new service.
Cost: 30 CAD per document for the apostille. Provincial authentication fees vary.
Australia
The Australian apostille authority is the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Australia has been a Hague member since 1995.
Process: Submit documents to DFAT by post or in person at their Canberra office. Documents must be original or certified copies. DFAT issues the apostille as a separate certificate attached to the document.
Processing time: 5 to 10 business days for standard mail service. In-person service may be faster. Express post options available.
Cost: Free for Australian citizens. Some document types may require prior notarization.
AFP national police check: Request your Australian Federal Police (AFP) check first (1 to 15 business days online), then submit for apostille. Total time: 2 to 4 weeks.
Apostille processing time by country (business days)
Source: Government apostille offices, 2026
Korean consulate legalization
If your country is a Hague Apostille Convention member, you do NOT need Korean consulate legalization. The apostille alone is sufficient. However, there are two situations where consulate involvement may still be required.
Non-Hague countries
If your country is not a member of the Hague Convention (for example, most countries in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa), you must go through the traditional process. First, authenticate your document with your country's foreign affairs ministry. Then, bring the authenticated document to the Korean embassy or consulate in your country for consular legalization. This process typically takes 3 to 10 business days at the consulate and costs vary by location.
Documents issued by non-Hague countries used in Korea
If you hold a degree from a non-Hague country but are applying for a Korean visa from a Hague country, you will need the original country's embassy to authenticate the document, then the Korean embassy to legalize it. This can add significant time to your application. Plan accordingly.
Processing time and costs
The total time from starting the process to having apostilled documents in hand depends on your country and document type. Here is a realistic timeline for the most common scenario (E-2 visa applicant from the US).
FBI background check (8-14 weeks)
Apply via FBI website using fingerprint card or electronic submission
Federal apostille (FBI check) (4-6 weeks (mail) or same day (walk-in))
US Department of State, Office of Authentications
State apostille (degree) (Same day to 2 weeks)
Secretary of State in the state that issued the degree
Korean translation (in Korea) (1-3 days)
30,000-80,000 KRW per document at a certified translation office
| Country | Apostille Fee | Background Check Fee | Total Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $20 (federal), $2-25 (state) | $18 (FBI) | $40-65 |
| United Kingdom | 30-75 GBP per document | 13 GBP (ACRO) | 73-165 GBP |
| Canada | 30 CAD per document | 25 CAD (RCMP) | 85-120 CAD |
| Australia | Free | 42 AUD (AFP) | 42-50 AUD |
Plan ahead: For US-based applicants, the FBI background check alone can take 8 to 14 weeks. Combined with apostille processing, the total timeline from start to finish can be 3 to 5 months. Start this process as early as possible, ideally before you even begin your visa application.
Common mistakes
Mistakes that delay or invalidate your apostille
Getting a state-level background check instead of a national-level (FBI/ACRO/RCMP) check. Korean immigration requires national-level checks only.
Apostilling in the wrong jurisdiction. A New York Secretary of State cannot apostille a document issued in California. You must use the authority in the state (or country) that issued the document.
Sending photocopies instead of originals. Most apostille authorities require original documents or certified copies. Regular photocopies will be rejected.
Forgetting to notarize private documents first. Private documents (such as degrees from private universities in the US) often need notarization before they can be apostilled.
Waiting too long. Background checks and apostilles have expiration dates for visa purposes. Most Korean embassies require the background check to be issued within 6 months of your application date.
Not getting a certified Korean translation. Even with a valid apostille, Korean government offices typically require a certified Korean translation (번역공증) of the document.
After you arrive in Korea
Once you are in Korea with your apostilled documents, you will need to get them translated into Korean if they are not already. Here is how.
Certified translation (번역공증)
Find a certified translation office near your immigration office or district court. The translator will translate the document and have it notarized at a nearby notary public office. Cost is typically 30,000 to 80,000 KRW per document. Processing takes 1 to 3 business days. Some translators offer same-day rush service for an extra fee.
Where to find translators
Search for “번역공증” on Naver Maps near the Seoul Immigration Office (Seoul Global Center area) or Jongno. Many translation offices cluster near government buildings specifically to serve foreigners handling immigration paperwork. You can also ask your employer or recruiter for a recommended translator.
Keep originals safe
Always submit copies when possible and keep your original apostilled documents in a safe place. If you lose an apostilled document, you will need to restart the entire process from your home country. Some people scan and store digital copies as backup, but Korean offices require physical originals for official submissions.