비전 아포코리아Troubleshooting · Returns & rejections
Korean Apostille Rejected? Common Reasons and How to Fix
The short answer: if you are looking up why a Korean apostille was rejected, the only legal refusal reasons are the two in Article 7 of the Regulation on the Issuance of Apostilles and Headquarters Consular Confirmations for Public Documents (a clearly false document, or a case where authenticity cannot be verified, such as when a foreign-issued document is attached). In practice, though, most returned documents fail on filing requirements such as view-only printouts, missing notarization, incomplete proxy documents or documents for non-member countries, and these can be avoided with a quick check beforehand.
At a glance
- Legal refusal reasons: the submitted document is clearly false, or its authenticity cannot be verified (for example, a foreign-issued document is attached).
- Common causes at filing: view-only printouts, missing notarization of private documents, missing power of attorney or IDs for proxy filing, missing electronic revenue stamp.
- If the document is for a non-member country, it needs consular confirmation, not an apostille.
- If the receiving institution rejects a document after it has been apostilled, first check its issue-date requirement, translation requirements and the convention's entry-into-force date.
What are the legal reasons for refusal?
The Overseas Koreans Agency states that it may refuse issuance in cases falling under Article 7 of the Regulation on the Issuance of Apostilles and Headquarters Consular Confirmations for Public Documents. These are: (1) the submitted document is clearly false, and (2) it is impossible to verify the authenticity of the public document, for example because a foreign-issued document is attached.
The second reason comes up more often than you might expect. If you bundle foreign documents or foreign-notarized papers together with Korean documents, the Korean authority cannot verify the foreign document, so the application is hard to accept. Documents issued abroad must be authenticated by the competent authority of the country that issued them.
When are documents commonly returned at filing?
The table below, based on the Overseas Koreans Agency's filing requirements, lists the causes we see again and again in consultations and how to re-prepare for each.
| Cause | Official requirement | How to re-prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Printed as a view-only copy | View-only documents have no legal effect; issue them "for submission" | Reissue for submission via the Internet Registry Office or Government24 |
| Private document not notarized | Documents other than those issued by the state or local governments require notarization | Notarize at a notary office, then get the Ministry of Justice apostille |
| Private university documents submitted as is | The notarization exemption covers original academic records from national universities (from 2024.6.1.) | Notarize private university documents first |
| Incomplete proxy documents | IDs of the applicant and the proxy, power of attorney, etc. | Prepare the power of attorney form and ID copies |
| Proxy requirements for company documents not met | Business registration certificate, original certificate of registered seal, power of attorney stamped with the registered seal | Bring the originals, or stamp the application with the company name stamp and registered seal |
| Electronic revenue stamp missing | KRW 1,000 per issuance | Buy on the electronic revenue stamp website or pay in cash at the service center |
| Return envelope missing (postal filing) | Return envelope with registered-mail postage and recipient details | Enclose a return envelope |
| Foreign document attached | May be refused if authenticity cannot be verified (Article 7) | Separate the Korean documents and apply with those only |
Based on the Overseas Koreans Agency's "Apostille Issuance Procedure" (checked 2026-10-03).
What if the document is for a non-member country?
If the destination country has not joined the Apostille Convention, or the convention has not yet entered into force for it, you need consular confirmation followed by embassy legalization at that country's embassy in Korea instead of an apostille. For example, Thailand acceded on 30 June 2026, but entry into force is scheduled for 28 February 2027, so until then documents must go through the consular confirmation route. For details, see Non-member countries: use consular confirmation instead of an apostille.
What if the receiving institution rejects an apostilled document?
An apostille itself has no expiry date, but many receiving institutions only accept documents issued within a certain number of months. Other common causes: a translation was required but only the original was submitted, the translation also had to be certified but was not notarized, or the convention had not yet entered into force for the destination country. If the receiving institution tells you why it rejected the document, get that wording exactly as stated; it is the single most useful thing when you re-prepare.
Most returns happen not because the document is wrong, but because the order and format are not right. A 10-minute check before filing can save you days.
Check these before you reapply
- Were all documents issued for submission?
- Have private documents and private university documents been notarized?
- Are there no foreign documents mixed in?
- For proxy filing, do you have the power of attorney and both IDs?
- Do you have an electronic revenue stamp for each document?
- Have you rechecked whether the convention is in force for the destination country?
- Have you checked the receiving institution's issue-date and translation requirements?
Send us the returned documents and the reason given, and we will check what needs to be fixed.
Ask about a returned documentWant to get it right the first time?
Just tell us your document list and destination country.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can an apostille application be refused?
- Yes. Under Article 7 of the regulation, the Overseas Koreans Agency states that it may refuse issuance if the submitted document is clearly false or if its authenticity cannot be verified, for example because a foreign-issued document is attached.
- Why won't a document I printed online be accepted?
- Documents printed as view-only copies have no legal effect and are not accepted. Be sure to issue them "for submission" via the Internet Registry Office, Government24 or similar services.
- My power of attorney was returned because it wasn't notarized.
- A power of attorney is a private document, so it must be notarized first. After notarization, apply for the Ministry of Justice apostille.
- Can I submit foreign documents together with Korean ones?
- If you attach a document issued abroad, its authenticity cannot be verified and the application may be refused. Apply with the Korean documents only, and have the foreign documents authenticated by the competent authority of the issuing country.
- I got the apostille, but the receiving institution says I need to get it again.
- Check the issue-date requirement (issued within a certain number of months), translation requirements and whether the convention is in force for the destination country. Keeping the exact rejection reason the institution gave you makes re-preparing much easier.
- Do I pay the fee again when I reapply?
- Yes. The government apostille fee is KRW 1,000 per issuance (electronic revenue stamp), so it applies to every new issuance.
Official referencesOverseas Koreans Agency: Apostille Issuance Procedure · Administrative rules under the Overseas Koreans Agency (Korean Law Information Center) · HCCH Apostille Convention status table
⚠️ This article is for general information only. Filing requirements, eligible documents and fees may change, so always check the official guidance of the Overseas Koreans Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the receiving institution at the time you apply. Vision ApoKorea (Vision Administrative Agency) is a private agency service, not a government body.