South Korea is a member of the Hague Convention of 1961, so documents issued in South Korea can be apostilled for use in other countries that are also signatories to the Hague Convention.
Steps to Obtain an Apostille in South Korea:
- Prepare Your Document:
- The document you want to apostille must be an official or public document issued by a South Korean authority. This includes documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic diplomas, notarial acts, and court documents.
- If your document is not in Korean, you may need to have it translated into Korean or the language required by the country where the document will be used.
- Notarization (if necessary):
- If your document is a private document (such as a contract or agreement), it will need to be notarized by a notary public in South Korea before it can be apostilled.
- Submit the Document to the Relevant Authority:
- In South Korea, the authority responsible for issuing apostilles is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
- The apostille can be obtained by submitting the document to one of the local district offices or the MOFA’s Apostille Division.
- Required Documents for Apostille:
- The original document that you wish to have apostilled.
- A valid ID (e.g., passport or national ID card).
- If a third party (such as a lawyer or other representative) is submitting the document on your behalf, a power of attorney may be required.
- Apostille Process:
- After submitting the document, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will verify its authenticity and apply the apostille, which serves as confirmation that the document is legitimate and recognized for use in other Hague Convention countries.
- The apostille is typically a stamp or certificate attached to the document.
- Fees:
- The fee for obtaining an apostille in South Korea is typically **KRW 10,000 to KRW