Apostille — What It Is and How to Get One
An apostille is the international certification that makes your diploma, criminal background check, and other documents legally valid in Korea. Here's what it is, which documents need one, and the exact process by country for 2026.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is a certification — a single standardized page — that a government authority attaches to a public document to make it legally recognized in another country. It was created by the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961, an international treaty that simplifies how documents cross borders.
Only state or federal governmental entities can issue apostilles. South Korea has been a Hague Convention member since 2007, which means any public document from another member country can be authenticated with a single apostille instead of multiple rounds of consular legalization.
Apostilles are NOT notarizations. A notarization confirms that a copy is a true copy of an original, while an apostille certifies the document (or its notarization) for international use. Many documents actually need both: notarize the photocopy first, then apostille the notarization.
The apostille is a physical page attached to your document by ribbon, grommet, or staple — not an ink stamp. Never separate the apostille from the document it certifies.
Which Documents Need Apostille for Korea
The Korean Ministry of Justice requires the following documents to be apostilled for an E-2 teaching visa application.
Bachelor's Diploma
A notarized color photocopy of your Bachelor's (or higher) diploma must be apostilled by the competent authority in the country where the diploma was issued. Required for every E-2 applicant — EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, GOE, and private hagwons.
Criminal Background Check
A national-level criminal record check (FBI for U.S., RCMP C-216C for Canada, ACRO for UK, etc.) must be apostilled. Must be issued within 6 months of the E-2 visa application.
Teaching License
If you hold a state teaching certification or PGCE/QTS and want to qualify for a higher EPIK pay scale, the license itself should be apostilled alongside your diploma. Optional but recommended for scale advancement.
Marriage Certificate
Required only for dependants (F-3 family visa) or for name-change verification between your diploma and your passport. Must be apostilled in the country of issue, with a certified English translation if the original is not in English or Korean.
Apostille Authority by Home Country
Each Hague member country has its own designated "Competent Authority" that issues apostilles. Here are the authorities for the seven E-2 eligible source countries.
| Country | Competent Authority | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA | U.S. Secretary of State (state level) + U.S. Department of State (federal) | State-level documents (diplomas, state-issued marriage certificates) go through the Secretary of State of the issuing state. Federal documents such as the FBI background check go to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Some states require county clerk certification first. |
| Canada | Global Affairs Canada — Authentication Services Section | Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 11 January 2024. Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa now issues apostilles for federal documents including the RCMP check. Provincial governments apostille their own provincial documents (diplomas, birth certificates). |
| UK | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) | The FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes apostilles UK documents. Premium (same-day in person) and standard (2-working-day postal) services available. Most academic documents need notary or solicitor certification first. |
| Australia | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) | DFAT Smartraveller Authentication / Apostille office issues apostilles in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. In-person and postal service available. Typically requires notary public certification first. |
| South Africa | Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) | DIRCO in Pretoria apostilles South African education and police documents. A SAQA verification letter is typically required alongside for Bachelor's diplomas destined for Korea. |
| Ireland | Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) | The DFA in Dublin apostilles Irish qualifications and Garda Vetting / Police Certificates. Academic documents usually need Registrar signature + Irish notary before apostille. |
| New Zealand | Department of Internal Affairs — Authentication Unit | The Authentication Unit within the Department of Internal Affairs (Wellington) issues apostilles for New Zealand documents. Police Vetting Certificate and diplomas are handled directly — no separate notary needed for NZ-issued qualifications. |
Processing times, fees, and procedures change. Always verify with the issuing authority's official website before mailing documents. Korvia is not an apostille service provider — we guide applicants through the requirements.
Step-by-Step Apostille Process
Five steps from original document in hand to apostilled, visa-ready paperwork bound for Korea.
Get the Original Document
Obtain the original document from the issuing body: your university registrar for a diploma, the FBI or RCMP for a national criminal check, your state's vital records office for a marriage or birth certificate. Always request fresh certified copies — Korean immigration rejects aged or faded documents.
Notarize (If Required)
State-level documents (diplomas, university letters) typically need notarization on a color photocopy before apostille. Federal documents (FBI check) are issued directly by the federal government and do NOT need notarization. Check your specific state / country rules.
Submit to the Apostille Office
Mail or walk in to the competent authority — Secretary of State, DOS, Global Affairs Canada, FCDO, DFAT, DIRCO, DFA, or DIA. Include the processing fee and a pre-paid return envelope. Most offices accept courier service (FedEx, UPS, DHL, Canada Post Xpresspost).
Receive the Apostilled Document
The apostille is a single physical page (or digital certificate) attached to the back of your document with ribbon, grommet, or staple. It is NOT a stamp. Verify the apostille number, issuing authority signature, and the name on your document before shipping onward.
Send the Original to Korvia / EPIK
Ship the apostilled original internationally to Korvia or your Final Documents address in Korea using trackable courier (FedEx, DHL, EMS, Xpresspost International). Do not detach the apostille page. Keep a color photocopy of the entire apostilled document for your own records.
Common Apostille Mistakes
Four of the most frequent reasons apostille packages get rejected or delayed — all preventable.
Photocopy Instead of Apostilled Original
A plain photocopy — even a color scan of an apostilled document — is NOT an apostille. Korean immigration requires the physical apostilled original with ribbon/grommet/staple and authority signature. Always ship the original, never a scanned copy.
Expired Authentication
Criminal background checks expire for Korean immigration purposes — typically 6 months from issue date. Diplomas don't expire, but some Korean programs request an apostille issued within the last 1–2 years. Reorder if your apostille is approaching the cut-off window.
Wrong Apostille Type (Federal vs State)
U.S. applicants frequently send federal documents (FBI check) to a state Secretary of State — it will be returned without apostille. Federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State. State documents go to the issuing state's Secretary of State. Know the difference before mailing.
Name Mismatch With Passport
If your diploma, CBC, or marriage certificate uses a different spelling, middle initial, transliteration, or maiden name than your passport, you MUST include apostilled name-change documentation (marriage certificate, court order, deed poll) alongside. Korean immigration cross-checks every name.
Electronic Apostille (e-Apostille) vs Paper Apostille
Hague member states are increasingly issuing e-Apostilles — digitally signed PDF versions with a QR code or URL that verifies authenticity online. The UK, Spain, Moldova, and New Zealand have mature e-Apostille systems; the U.S. and Canada are gradually adopting them.
For Korean E-2 visa purposes, paper apostilles remain the safer option. Korean immigration and the Korean consulates still prefer a physical apostilled document with ribbon and grommet. Some Korean programs explicitly require paper. If your country only offers e-Apostille, print it on high-quality paper, attach the verifiable QR page, and include the apostille URL for immigration reference — but confirm acceptance with your program coordinator before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.Does an apostille ever expire?
The apostille itself does not carry a written expiry date. However, the document it attaches to might: criminal background checks typically expire 6 months from issue, and some Korean programs ask for an apostille issued within the last 1–2 years even on long-lived documents like diplomas. When in doubt, reorder — apostille fees are minimal compared to visa delays.
Q.What is the difference between an e-Apostille (digital) and a paper apostille?
An e-Apostille is a digitally signed PDF issued by the same competent authority. It contains a verifiable QR code or URL. While many Hague member states now accept e-Apostilles, Korean immigration still prefers the physical paper apostille for E-2 visa documents. Until Korea formally adopts e-Apostilles universally, use paper for safety.
Q.What if I'm from a country that is NOT a Hague Convention member?
If your country is not party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, you cannot get an apostille. Instead, you'll need consular legalization: a chain of authentications ending at the Korean Embassy or Consulate in your country. This is slower and more expensive. Contact your nearest Korean Consulate for the specific process.
Q.I need my documents fast. Are there emergency apostille options?
Some countries offer expedited service. The UK FCDO has a premium same-day in-person service in Milton Keynes. U.S. state offices vary — some offer 1-day walk-in, others take 2–4 weeks. The U.S. Department of State typically takes 10–12 weeks standard; expedited options are limited. Private courier and apostille services (Monument Visa, etc.) can streamline but not bypass government processing.
Q.How much does an apostille cost?
Fees vary by country and authority. U.S. state apostilles range from USD $5–$40. U.S. Department of State federal apostille is USD $20 per document. Global Affairs Canada is free (as of 2024). UK FCDO is £30 standard / £75 premium. Australia DFAT is AUD $100. Always check the issuing authority's official fee schedule before mailing.
Q.Can I apostille multiple documents at once in one submission?
Yes. Most apostille offices accept bundled submissions — you pay the per-document fee but save on shipping. Group your diploma, CBC, and any name-change documents in the same envelope with a single cover letter listing each item. Confirm bundling is allowed with your specific competent authority before shipping.
Ready to Apply?
Start your EPIK application with Korvia. We'll pre-review every apostilled document before it reaches the Korean program — catching name mismatches, missing pages, and expired checks before immigration does.