비전 아포코리아
Apostille Convention member (effective 1966-02-13)
Germany Document Authentication Guide
Submitting Korean documents to Germany?
Check the documents and issuing agencies, the translation/notarization/apostille process, and official Germany institution information.
3-second summary — Convention took effect in 1966 → can be submitted with an apostille alone (no consular authentication needed). Private documents require notarization first.
HCCH official status — Ratification deposited 1965-12-15 · entry into force 1966-02-13 · Applies with Korea: yes (no objection by Korea). HCCH Apostille Convention status table (checked 2026-10-03)
Which documents are you submitting to Germany?
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 Germany.
Education & Career
Degree Certificate · Transcript
Issuing Agency — The school attended or graduated from
Online Issuance — Varies by school
Required for study-abroad and degree-recognition (Anerkennung) procedures in Germany.
Certificate of Criminal Record
Issuing Agency — National Police Agency
Online Issuance — Can be applied for through Gov24
Sometimes required for employment procedures in Germany.
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 Germany
How do you prepare Korean documents for submission to Germany? The basic flow is as follows.
Guide by Purpose for Germany
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. The degree-recognition (Anerkennung) procedure varies by school and by state government.
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 Germany to Korea
If you are submitting a document issued in Germany to Korea, it must go through the apostille-issuing authority in Germany.
No Single Federal Agency — Varies by Document and Bundesland (State)
As a federal country, Germany has apostille-issuing authority split across state (Land) governments and by document type. For example: identity/family-relation documents → the relevant Landratsamt/Regierungspräsidium; educational documents → each state's education authority (Regierungspräsidium, etc.); court/notarial documents → the relevant Landgericht (regional court)/OLG (higher regional court); Certificate of Criminal Record (Führungszeugnis) → the Federal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz, BfJ).
Do Not Confuse with Embassy Authentication
The Embassy of Germany in Korea does not issue apostilles. Apostilles can only be obtained from the issuing authorities in Germany listed above; the embassy handles separate matters such as consular authentication and notarization.
Official Institutions in Germany
The links below are guidance from the German 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 Germany require an apostille?
Germany has been a member of the Apostille Convention since February 13, 1966, so public documents that meet the convention's requirements can be submitted with an apostille alone, without consular authentication.
Which agency issues an apostille for a document issued in Germany?
Germany has no single federal issuing agency; the responsible agency varies by document type and by the Bundesland (state) where it was issued. For example, the Certificate of Criminal Record is handled by the Federal Office of Justice (BfJ).
Can I get an apostille at the Embassy of Germany in Korea?
No. Apostilles are only available from issuing authorities located in Germany; the embassy handles separate matters such as consular authentication.
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.
