비전 아포코리아
Apostille Convention member (effective 2007-07-14)
South Korea Document Issuance Guide
Wondering where to get a Korean document issued for overseas submission, and how to get it apostilled? Check the issuing agency for each document type and how to apply for an e-Apostille.
Quick summary — Get the document issued (government agency, school, etc.) → public documents go straight to an apostille; private documents need notarization first. You can apply online (apostille.go.kr) or in person (Overseas Koreans Agency).
HCCH official status — Accession deposited 2006-10-25 · entry into force 2007-07-14 · Korea’s own status — Korean documents for other Contracting Parties receive an apostille. HCCH Apostille Convention status table (checked 2026-10-03)
What document do you need, and where do you get it?
Most documents for overseas submission can be issued from the agencies below. Only links marked Official are official government, court, or public-institution sites.
Family / Personal
Family Relation Certificate · Basic Certificate · Marriage Relation Certificate · Birth Certificate · Death Certificate
Issuing agency — Supreme Court Electronic Family Relation Registration System, or your local Si/Gu/Eup/Myeon community service center
Electronic Family Relation Registration System (Official) ・ Gov.kr (Official)
Education / Career
Diploma · Transcript · Certificate of Enrollment · Certificate of Employment
Issuing agency — The school you attended/graduated from (diploma, transcript, enrollment), or your employer (certificate of employment)
Online issuance systems differ by school (e.g. each university's own portal), so check with that school's administration office or website individually.
Criminal Record / Identity
Criminal Record Certificate
Issuing agency — National Police Agency (visit your nearest police station's civil affairs desk, or apply online via Gov.kr)
Corporate / Business
Certificate of Corporate Registration · Business Registration Certificate · Articles of Incorporation
Issuing agency — Registry office (certificate of corporate registration, including online via the Internet Registry Office), National Tax Service (business registration certificate), or documents kept by the company itself (articles of incorporation)
Official agency names and URLs are current as of the time of writing and may change. Please re-check on the relevant agency's site before submission.
From Issuance to Apostille: The Full Process
Documents for overseas submission are usually prepared in the following order.
How to Get an Apostille in Korea
Online (e-Apostille)
Apply at apostille.go.kr. Eligible public documents (39 types as of 2025) are issued instantly and free of charge. Legally equivalent to a sticker apostille.
In-person issuance
Same-day issuance at locations such as the Overseas Koreans Agency's Integrated Civil Service Center. The government issuance fee is KRW 1,000 per copy.
Issuing agencies
Overseas Koreans Agency (public documents from local/national government), Ministry of Justice (prosecutorial/notarized documents, etc.). Jurisdiction differs by document type.
If not eligible online
Documents outside the 39 online-eligible types, or private documents that have been notarized, must be processed in person.
South Korea Official Agencies
The links below are official agency resources for document issuance and apostilles in Korea.
Please re-verify the exact application method, required documents, and fees directly on the official sites above.
How Vision ApoKorea Can Help
If handling this yourself is difficult, Vision ApoKorea can guide and carry out the entire process — from document issuance to translation, notarization, and apostille.
