# FAQs: Attesting Korean Documents > Frequently asked questions about obtaining Apostille in South Korea and to legalize Korean documents for use in other countries - birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal record certificates, academic documents and more. **Source** [South Korea](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/South-Korea-attestation-FAQs)> **Related:** [Apostille Korean Documents for international use](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/South-Korea-Legalization-Services) · [Get a Quotation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry) --- ## General Questions ### Can Korean documents be legalized by Apostille? 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 - Qatar - Thailand - Taiwan - Vietnam they need additional authentication by the embassy of the destination country. For further information about Apostille certification in South Korea, see: [South Korea Apostille Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/South-Korea-Legalization-Services) ### What types of documents can be legalized in South Korea for use abroad? 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 Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) and Isarey’ll check your document free of charge. For further information about Isarey's Korean apostille services and for assistance obtaining official copies of Korean documents, see: [South Korea Apostille Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/South-Korea-Legalization-Services) ### How long does it take to obtain an apostille on a document in South Korea? To apostille a South Korean Criminal Record Check Report takes 1 – 3 workings days. ### Where can I see reviews of Isarey's Korean Attestation and Apostille Services? You can see reviews from past clients who have used Isarey's attestation and apostille services: - [ISAREY reviews on Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/isarey-document-attestation.com) - [ISAREY reviews on Google](https://goo.gl/maps/cuvbEYN25Xg5b8jg7) ### How can I verify a Korean Apostille Stamp? Korean Apostille Stamps can be verified online: [Verify an Apostille](https://www.apostille.go.kr/index.do?language=en) ### What is a Korean Apostille Stamp and why would I need one? A Korean Apostille is a certificate that is affixed to a public document. It certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official in South Korea and confirms the capacity of that official. Korean Apostille stamps are often required when submitting a Korean document, such as a birth certificate, to the authorities of a foreign country or to a foreign embassy in South Korea (for example, as part of a visa or citizenship application). Apostilles are recognised by the authorities and embassies of countries that are members of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) For more information on Apostilles, see: [The ABCs of Apostilles (PDF)](https://assets.hcch.net/upload/abc12e.pdf) ### What is document legalization in South Korea? Document legalization (or attestation) is a procedure which authenticates a public Korean document so that it can be submitted in another country for official or legal purposes - for example, if you need to submit a Korean birth certificate to the authority or embassy of another country, it will often need to be legalized. Legalizing a document in South Korea certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official in South Korea and confirms the capacity of that official. - Because South Korea is a member of the Apostille Convention, Korean documents can be legalized by means of an Apostille Stamp when being submitted to countries that are also members of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) - If a Korean document is required for a country that is not a member of the Apostille Convention, it will need to be legalized both by Korean authorities and by the embassy of the recipient country (embassy in South Korea or non-resident embassy accredited to South Korea). See: [Document legalization - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Document_legalization) ### What services does Isarey Certification Services provide in South Korea? Isarey Certification Services provides a range of services in South Korea including Apostille and legalization services, notarization services, certified translation services and document retrieval services. ### What do South Korea Apostilles and legalizations look like? South Korea Apostilles follow the standard format laid down in the Apostille Convention. Some examples of Korean documents certified with Apostille stamps: - [Korean Criminal Record Check with Apostille](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/South-Korean-Criminal-Record-Check-Apostille) - [Korean University Diploma with Apostille](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/Korean-University-Diploma-Apostille) See [What does an Apostille look like?](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/FAQs-Document-Attestation#faq_236_s) ## Birth, death and marriage certificates ### How can I obtain an Apostille on a Korean Certificate of Family Relations? Apostille stamps to authenticate Korean Certificates of Family Relations can be obtained from the Overseas Koreans Agency. ## Criminal record certificates ### I need an apostille for my Korean criminal record certificate - do I need to provide an original certificate? 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, Isarey 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. ### How can I obtain an apostille for my Korean Police Background Check? 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. ### How can I obtain my Korean Criminal Record Certificate to use abroad? 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](https://crims.police.go.kr/) website. Applicants (or an authorized representative) will then need to visit a Korean [Police Station](https://minwon.police.go.kr/#customerCenter/plcstSearch) 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](https://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/wpge/m_5756/contents.do) (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. ## Academic documents ### How can I legalize a Korean degree certificate for submission to the United Arab Emirates? 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. ### How can I legalize a Korean degree certificate for submission to Saudi Arabia? 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. ### How can I legalize a Korean degree certificate for submission to China? 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. ### How can I obtain an apostille for my Korean University Degree and Transcripts? 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. ### How can I obtain an apostille for my Korean School Records? Korean Apostille Stamps to authenticate General Educational Development certificates can be obtained from the Overseas Koreans Agency.