비전 아포코리아
Apostille Convention member (effective 1965-01-24)
France Document Authentication Guide
Submitting Korean documents to France?
Check the documents and issuing agencies, the translation/notarization/apostille process, and official France institution information.
3-second summary — Convention took effect in 1965 → can be submitted with an apostille alone (no consular authentication needed). Private documents require notarization first.
HCCH official status — Ratification deposited 1964-11-25 · entry into force 1965-01-24 · Applies with Korea: yes (no objection by Korea). HCCH Apostille Convention status table (checked 2026-10-03)
Which documents are you submitting to France?
Click a document to see the issuing agency, whether online issuance is available, and authentication notes. Only links marked Official are official government, court, or public-institution sites.
Family & Personal
Family Relation Certificate · Basic Certificate · Marriage Relation Certificate
Issuing Agency — Korean courts (the city/district/town office handling family registration)
Online Issuance — Available. Requires identity verification such as a joint certificate
Electronic Family Relation Registration System (Official) ・ Gov24 (Official)
Used for international marriage (marriage registration) submissions to France.
Education & Career
Degree Certificate · Transcript
Issuing Agency — The school attended or graduated from
Online Issuance — Varies by school
Required for study-abroad procedures in France.
Certificate of Criminal Record
Issuing Agency — National Police Agency
Online Issuance — Can be applied for through Gov24
Sometimes required for employment procedures in France.
Official agency names and URLs are current as of the time of writing and may change. The exact required list for business/corporate documents needs confirmation.
Authentication Process for Submission to France
How do you prepare Korean documents for submission to France? The basic flow is as follows.
Guide by Purpose for France
Required documents vary by receiving institution and situation — the list below is a representative reference and not a definitive guide.
Study Abroad
The Degree Certificate and Transcript are confirmed as commonly used in practice. Confirm the exact requirements with the school you are applying to.
Employment
The Certificate of Criminal Record and Degree Certificate are confirmed as commonly used in practice.
International Marriage
The Marriage Relation Certificate and Family Relation Certificate are confirmed as commonly used in practice.
Business & Corporate
Corporate-related documents may be used, but the exact list needs confirmation.
Documents Brought from France to Korea
If you are submitting a document issued in France to Korea, it must go through the apostille-issuing authority in France.
Issuing Authority Changed as of May 2025
As of May 1, 2025, authority to issue apostilles transferred from the Court of Appeal (Cour d'appel) to notaries (Notaire, local chamber of notaries). As of September 1, 2025, consular legalization (légalisation) is also handled by notaries.
Former System (for reference, no longer in effect)
In the past, the Court of Appeal (Cour d'appel) issued apostilles, but this has since been transferred to the notary system. Some exceptions, such as overseas territories, remain with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Official Institutions in France
The links below are guidance from the French government and related official institutions. Please check the latest information before actually submitting your documents.
For accurate submission methods, required documents, and fees, always double-check with the official sites above.
How Vision ApoKorea Can Help
Find it hard to handle on your own? From document issuance to translation, notarization, and apostille, Vision ApoKorea can help you confirm and complete the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do documents submitted to France require an apostille?
France has been a member of the Apostille Convention since January 24, 1965, so public documents that meet the convention's requirements can be submitted with an apostille alone, without consular authentication.
How do I submit a document issued in France to Korea?
Since May 1, 2025, authority to issue apostilles transferred from the Court of Appeal to notaries (Notaire). You must obtain the apostille through the local chamber of notaries.
I heard the courts used to issue apostilles?
Before May 2025, the Court of Appeal (Cour d'appel) issued apostilles, but this has since transferred to the notary system. Please prepare based on the latest information.
How long does processing take?
Processing time depends on the document type, whether translation is needed, and quantity, so we cannot provide a fixed timeframe. We will advise individually once we review your documents.
How much does it cost?
Government fees, translation fees, notarization fees, and service fees are all separate and vary by document and quantity. Request an individual quote at Get a Quote.
Can I have multiple documents handled at once?
Yes, you can submit multiple documents together. Let us know the quantity at Get a Quote.
