How Do I Authenticate My Certificate of Completion?

The route depends on the issuing school: original academic records from national universities go to apostille without notarization; documents from other schools are notarized first. The procedure varies depending on whether the destination country is a member of the Apostille Convention.

3-Second Summary — National university original records → apostille without notarization / private and other schools → apostille after notarization. Check Find Your Path for the exact procedure.

Key Summary

Document Type

Depends on the issuing school

Notarization Required?

Not required for original academic records from national universities (since 2024-06-01); required for other schools — confirmed per document before filing

Translation/Authentication Required?

Depending on the destination country and receiving institution, translation, apostille, or consular authentication may be required.

The Overseas Koreans Agency accepts government-issued documents and original academic records of national universities without notarization, and asks that other documents be notarized first (Overseas Koreans Agency, “Apostille Issuance Procedure”, checked 2026-10-09). Check Find Your Path for the exact procedure.

Common Situations Requiring This Document

Recognition of overseas training/education programs
Overseas transfer admission review
Proof of completion for overseas employment

Procedure

Obtain the Certificate of Completion from the educational institution
Unless it is an original national university record, notarize at a notary office
Apply for apostille if the destination country is a Convention member
If not a member, obtain MOFA consular confirmation and embassy authentication
Translation and certified translation if required

Frequently Submitted Countries

USA China