비전 아포코리아How long does an apostille take, and what is the government fee?
The government fee for a Korean apostille is a KRW 1,000 electronic revenue stamp per document, and documents eligible for e-Apostille are issued instantly, free of charge. For in-person applications at the Overseas Koreans Agency, up to 10 documents per applicant are returned within 1 hour on average (Overseas Koreans Agency guidance, checked 2026-10-02).
At a glance
- Government fee: KRW 1,000 per apostille or consular confirmation (electronic revenue stamp); e-Apostille is free.
- In person: up to 10 documents within 1 hour on average; 10–50 documents at 09:30 the next day; agency filings or more than 50 documents within 3 days.
- By mail: usually 7–10 days (longer with postal delays or requests for additional documents).
- Costs and time for notarization, translation, embassy legalization and shipping are separate from the government apostille fee.
How long does processing take by filing method?
| Filing method | Conditions | When issued |
|---|---|---|
| In person | Up to 10 documents per applicant · filed 09:00–11:30 | Within 1 hour on average |
| In person | Up to 10 documents per applicant · filed 11:30–13:00 | Issued together at 14:00 the same day |
| In person | Up to 10 documents per applicant · filed 13:00–14:30 | Within 1 hour on average |
| In person | Up to 10 documents per applicant · filed after 14:30 | 09:30 the next day (the following business day if it falls on a weekend or public holiday) |
| In person | More than 10 and up to 50 documents per applicant | 09:30 the next day |
| In person | Agencies · courier services · more than 50 documents per applicant | Within 3 days |
| By mail | Addressed to the consular confirmation officer, Integrated Civil Service Center of the Overseas Koreans Agency | Usually 7–10 days |
| Online (e-Apostille) | Eligible public documents only | Instant |
Source: Overseas Koreans Agency, “Apostille Issuance Procedure” and “Consular Confirmation Issuance Procedure”, checked 2026-10-02. In-person filing hours are 09:00–18:00 on weekdays.
What is the government fee?
| Item | Government / official fee | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille (Overseas Koreans Agency / Ministry of Justice) | KRW 1,000 per document (electronic revenue stamp) | Overseas Koreans Agency, “Apostille Issuance Procedure” |
| Consular confirmation | KRW 1,000 per document (electronic revenue stamp) | Overseas Koreans Agency, “Consular Confirmation Issuance Procedure” |
| e-Apostille / consular confirmation (online) | Free | Overseas Koreans Agency, “Apostille Issuance Procedure” |
| Notarization | Per the Rules on Notary Fees (varies by document and number of copies) | Ministry of Justice Ordinance, Rules on Notary Fees — confirm the amount with the notary office |
| Embassy legalization in Korea | Set by each embassy | Check the embassy's official notice |
Confirm with the competent authority — Embassy legalization fees differ by country and change frequently, so this page lists only amounts confirmed by official notices. Electronic revenue stamps can be bought on the electronic revenue stamp website (e-revenuestamp.or.kr) or in cash at the Integrated Civil Service Center on the 15th floor. Translation and agency fees are not government fees, so they are not included in this table.
What determines the overall timeline?
Issuing the apostille itself is quick, but the actual schedule depends on the steps before and after it.
- Obtaining documents — An original for submission must be issued (view-only copies have no legal effect and are not accepted).
- Notarization — Private documents such as powers of attorney and contracts, private university academic records and translations are notarized first.
- Translation — Depends on the language and format (whether certified translation is needed) the receiving institution requires.
- Embassy legalization — For non-Convention countries, legalization by the embassy in Korea is added after consular confirmation, and processing times differ by embassy.
- Shipping — Sending documents abroad adds international shipping time.
What should I prepare to shorten processing time?
- Request an original for submission from the start.
- Check first whether the document is eligible for e-Apostille (if so, it is instant and free online).
- Check whether the document needs notarization, and complete notarization first.
- Buy electronic revenue stamps in advance (KRW 1,000 per document).
- When filing in person, up to 10 documents per applicant filed before 14:30 are eligible for same-day issuance.
Issuance may be refused in cases covered by Article 7 of the Regulations on the Issuance of Apostilles and Headquarters Consular Confirmation for Public Documents, so it is safest to check the condition of your documents in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the government fee for an apostille?
Is e-Apostille really free?
Can I get an apostille on the same day?
How long does it take if I apply by mail?
Is the embassy legalization fee also KRW 1,000?
What process does my document need?
Tell us the destination country and the type of document, and we will check and explain the steps you need and the order to follow.
※ Vision ApoKorea (Vision Administrative Agent Office) is a private agency service, not a government body. The information above is based on official sources as of 2026-10-02. Agency requirements can change, so please check the latest official guidance before you apply.