Private Document

How Do I Authenticate My Contract?

This is a private document written by a company or an individual, so it is notarized first and then receives a Ministry of Justice apostille. The procedure varies depending on whether the destination country is a member of the Apostille Convention.

3-Second Summary — Private document → Ministry of Justice apostille after notarization (non-member countries: consular confirmation after notarization). Check Find Your Path for the exact procedure.

Key Summary

Document Type

Private document (written by a company or individual)

Notarization Required?

Required — notarization (attestation of a private document) before the apostille

Translation/Authentication Required?

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

The Overseas Koreans Agency asks that documents not written by the national or local governments be notarized before applying for an apostille. A certificate issued by a government body is a public document and needs no notarization (Overseas Koreans Agency, “Apostille Issuance Procedure”, checked 2026-10-09). Check Find Your Path for the exact procedure.

Common Situations Requiring This Document

Transaction contracts between overseas branches/corporations
Overseas real estate sale contracts
International service/supply contracts

Agreements follow the same procedure

An agreement records commitments between the parties and, like a contract, is a private document written by a company or individual. It is therefore notarized first and then receives a Ministry of Justice apostille (for non-member countries, notarization followed by consular legalization). Our agreement guide has been merged into this page.

Common situations requiring an agreement

Agreeing on contract terms with overseas business partners
Overseas investment/business partnership agreements
Overseas debt/claim relationship agreements

Procedure

Draft the Contract and apply for notarization agency service at a notary office
If the destination country is a Convention member, apostille after notarization
If not a member, MOFA consular confirmation and embassy authentication after notarization
Translation and certified translation if required

Frequently Submitted Countries

USA China