비전 아포코리아How Do Public and Private Documents Differ, and How Does the Apostille Process Differ?
Public documents can get an apostille right away.
Private documents can only get an apostille after notarization.
Examples of Public Documents
Certificate of Family Relations, Marriage Relations, Basic Certificate, Birth Certificate (government-issued)
Diploma, transcript, degree certificate (school-issued)
Certificate of criminal record, business registration certificate, corporate registry (institution-issued) / court rulings, records (court-issued)
Examples of Private Documents (Notarization Required First)
Powers of attorney, contracts, articles of incorporation, statements, memoranda, confirmation letters/consent forms drafted by an individual, etc. → these become eligible for apostille only after receiving notarization from a notary office.
Why Does the Distinction Matter?
A public document's authenticity is guaranteed because it was officially confirmed by the issuing institution, but a private document — created by an individual — has weak legal effect on its own. That's why notarization must first establish the document's authenticity and accountability before international certification (apostille or consular authentication) becomes possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a translated document public or private?
I'm not sure which category my document falls into.
Related Information
Documents
We get frequent inquiries about powers of attorney and Certificates of Family Relations.
Check Your Document Type & Process
※ Vision ApoKorea is a private agency service. Document classification and requirements can vary by receiving institution, so confirming before applying is recommended.