1. What is an Apostille certificate ?
· In order for a document to be recognized by a foreign country, it should undergo legalization for foreign public documents to be used in the foreign country. In general, such a document is authenticated by means of ‘consular legalization’ at diplomatic offices in the foreign country where the document is to be used.
· The Apostille certificate is issued by an authority of the country concerned after validating the authenticity of the document by comparing the official seals or signatures of the document. A document bearing the Apostille certificate is deemed acceptable as an official document in any signatory country without the consular legalization.
2. Documents subject to the Apostille certificate requirement
· Documents issued by government agencies (including local governments, national and public educational institutions) : e.g. transcripts and certificates of
graduation issued by a national/public school
· Notarized documents prepared by a person in the capacity of a notary public in accordance with the Notary Public Act or the Attorney-at-Law Act : e.g. transcripts and certificates of graduation issued by a private school
※ For a document not written in Korean or English, the original and its translation should be attached with the Apostille certificate or legalized by a consular officer responsible for notarization.
3. Applicants from a signatory country
· Issuing agency : Apostille certificates are issued by an institution designated as an authority by the government of the country concerned (e.g. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Korea)
· How to submit : Apostille certificates for the required documents above need to be issued and submitted when submitting the application form and documents.(Applicants are advised to verify the lead time for the issuance of the Apostille certificate)
· Important Matters
- Applicants from a private school need to first have their documents notarized and then have the Apostille certificates issued.
- If the Apostille certificate cannot be issued, either a confirmation for a foreign educational institute or a certificate of the consular legalization process issued by the Korean consulate of the country concerned may be submitted in lieu thereof.
4. Applicants from a non-signatory country
· Issuing agency : Apostille certificates are issued by the Korean consulate of the country concerned.
· How to submit : A confirmation for a foreign educational institute or a certificate of the consular legalization process issued by the Korean consulate of the country concerned should be submitted.
5. Signatories to the Apostille Convention: Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage