비전 아포코리아
Apostille Convention member
USA Document Authentication Guide
Submitting Korean documents to the USA?
Check the required documents and issuing agencies, translation/notarization/apostille procedures, and official USA agency information.
3-second summary — Convention member → most cases can be submitted with an apostille alone. Translation or notarization may be required depending on the document and receiving agency — check exactly with Path Finder.
HCCH official status — Accession deposited 1980-12-24 · entry into force 1981-10-15 · Applies with Korea: yes (no objection by Korea). HCCH Apostille Convention status table (checked 2026-10-03)
What documents are you submitting to the USA?
Click a document to check the issuing agency, online issuance availability, and authentication notes. Only links marked Official are the official sites of government, court, or public agencies.
Family & Personal
Certificate of Family Relations · Basic Certificate · Marriage Relations Certificate
Issuing agency — Korean courts (the city/district/town/township office handling family relations registration)
Online issuance — Available. Requires identity verification such as a joint certificate.
e-Family Relations Registration System (Official) ・ Gov.kr (Official)
This is a public document subject to apostille for USA submission. Whether translation is needed depends on the receiving agency's requirements.
Birth-related Documents (Birth Certificate, etc.)
Issuing agency — The Korean court that registered the birth (family relations registration) or the agency with jurisdiction at the time of the birth report
Online issuance — Often substituted with the Certificate of Family Relations/Basic Certificate. If a separate original birth certificate is required, check with the issuing agency.
e-Family Relations Registration System (Official)
The exact document name/format required can differ by receiving agency, so confirm in advance.
Education & Career
Degree/Graduation Certificate · Enrollment Certificate · Academic Record Certificate
Issuing agency — The school attended/graduated from (university, high school, etc.)
Online issuance — Varies by school. Most universities provide immediate online issuance through their own certificate system ("certificate issuance" on the school website). Some documents can also be applied for via Gov.kr and collected from the issuing agency.
Gov.kr — University Graduation (Expected) Certificate Issuance Guide (Official)
Check the exact online issuance link on the website of the school you attended or graduated from — the issuance system address differs by school.
Transcript · Degree Certificate
Issuing agency — The school attended/graduated from
Online issuance — Check the school's certificate issuance system. Method may vary by school and program.
Confirmation of the official online issuance link needed — refer to the certificate issuance guide on the website of the school you attended or graduated from.
Career Certificate · Employment Certificate
Issuing agency — The company you currently work or worked for (HR/general affairs department)
Online issuance — Not issued by a government agency; follow that company's issuance process.
Confirmation of the official online issuance link needed — check the issuance method with the company you work(ed) for.
Criminal Record & Identity
Criminal Record Report
Issuing agency — National Police Agency
Online issuance — Available (requires a joint certificate). However, depending on the purpose of issuance (e.g., for overseas submission), online issuance may be restricted and a visit to the jurisdictional police agency may be required.
National Police Agency Criminal Record Report Issuance System (Official) ・ Gov.kr (Official)
For overseas purposes (visa, immigration, etc.), confirm issuance availability and procedure in advance with the jurisdictional police agency or the issuance system.
Corporate & Business
Business Registration Certificate · Business Registration Confirmation
Issuing agency — National Tax Service
Online issuance — Available
Certified Copy of Corporate Register
Issuing agency — Korean courts (registry office)
Online issuance — Available
Articles of Incorporation · Contracts · Power of Attorney
Issuing agency — Not a government-issued document; drafted directly by the company/party.
Whether notarization/apostille is required depends on the receiving agency's requirements. Confirmation with the receiving agency needed.
Official agency names/URLs are current as of the check date and may change. Please reconfirm on the relevant agency's site for the latest information. Documents without a confirmed link are marked "confirmation needed."
Authentication Process for Submission to the USA
How do you prepare Korean documents for submission to the USA? The basic flow is as follows.
Guide by Purpose for Submission to the USA
Required documents vary by visa type, receiving agency, and situation, so the following are representative documents for reference only and not a definitive list.
Visa/Immigration
Identity-related documents such as birth, marriage, divorce, and criminal record records are often required, but the exact required documents vary by visa type and application situation.
Official confirmation: U.S. Department of State Civil Documents / NVC guidance (see "USA Official Agencies" below).
Overseas Study
Graduation, transcript, degree, and enrollment certificates and financial documents are commonly used, but required documents vary by school and program.
Check the required documents on the official Admissions page of the school you're applying to.
Employment
Education and career certificates may be required, but confirmation with the employer or the requirements of the relevant visa type is needed.
International Marriage
Marriage relations and family relations related documents may be used. Note that US immigration procedures and simple marriage registration procedures require different documents — don't confuse the two.
Business/Corporate
Business registration certificates, corporate registry records, articles of incorporation, powers of attorney, and contracts may be used, but the actual required documents need confirmation of the receiving agency's official requirements.
Documents Brought from the USA to Korea
If you are submitting a document issued in the USA to Korea, the authentication procedure can vary depending on the issuing agency.
Documents Issued by the US Federal Government
These follow the official document authentication procedure of the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications.
Documents Issued by a US State Government
You may need to check with that state's Secretary of State or other relevant authentication agency.
USA Official Agencies
The links below are guidance from the US government and related official agencies. Please check the latest information before actual submission.
"Visa Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country" is an official U.S. Department of State page providing country-specific visa fee/validity information along with guidance on civil documents (birth, marriage, divorce, police certificates, etc.) needed for immigrant visa applications. Please verify exact required documents directly on this page and with the responsible consulate/NVC. For documents issued by a US state, the NASS (National Association of Secretaries of State) guidance can help you find that state's official authentication agency.
How Vision ApoKorea Can Help
Is it difficult to prepare on your own? From document issuance to translation, notarization, and apostille, Vision ApoKorea can help you confirm and complete the necessary steps.
