비전 아포코리아Consular Authentication & Embassy Legalization — The Right Process for Non-Convention Countries
Non-member countries require consular authentication + embassy legalization.
Vision ApoKorea handles everything from translation to authentication.
3-Second Summary — For non-member countries, or countries that haven't yet had the Convention take effect, proceed in the order consular authentication → embassy legalization. If the country is a Convention member, an apostille is sufficient instead of consular authentication.
When Consular Authentication & Embassy Legalization Are Needed
If your destination country is not a member of the Apostille Convention (e.g. Qatar, UAE, Kuwait), or has joined the Convention but it hasn't taken effect yet (Thailand — scheduled to take effect February 28, 2027), consular authentication is required until that effective date. Depending on the country, institution, and document type, some cases also require additional legalization by that country's embassy or consulate in Korea after consular authentication. Each country's membership status and required procedure keep changing, so checking the latest requirements before submission is necessary. (Vietnam's Convention entered into force on September 11, 2026, so it no longer requires consular authentication — see the Vietnam guide.)
How Consular Authentication Differs From Embassy Legalization
Consular Authentication
The process by which Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that the official seal stamped on a document (issuing institution's seal, etc.) is genuine.
Embassy Legalization
The process by which a document that has completed consular authentication is authenticated again, according to that country's own standards, by the destination country's embassy or consulate in Korea where the document will actually be used.
The required order and necessity of these two processes differs by country and can keep changing, so we confirm the accurate, up-to-date standard individually at the time of application.
Processing Steps
1. Translation
Consular authentication and embassy legalization confirm the authenticity of the document itself — they don't determine whether translation is needed — so this step proceeds only when the receiving institution requires a translated version. When translation is needed, it's translated into the destination country's language to exactly match the original, so it isn't rejected for content mismatch at the later notarization/consular authentication stages.
2. Notarization
In most cases, private documents drafted by an individual or company — such as powers of attorney or statements — must be notarized before consular authentication. Public documents issued by the government or courts, on the other hand, often proceed directly to consular authentication without separate notarization, so this step first determines whether it can be skipped based on the document type.
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Authentication
The process by which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that the issuing institution's seal or the notary's seal stamped on the document actually matches the registered one. Documents submitted to countries outside the Apostille Convention must pass through this consular authentication before moving on to the next step, embassy legalization.
4. Embassy Legalization
The stage where a document that has completed Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication is authenticated again, according to its own standards, by the embassy or consulate in Korea of the country where the document will actually be used. Reception days, processing times, and required documents vary by embassy, and visiting without checking in advance can result in rejection, so it's important to prepare the application to match that country's standards.
5. Delivery / Overseas Shipping
Once consular authentication and embassy legalization are complete, the original document is delivered as-is, either for domestic pickup or overseas shipping. All seals from each stage must be present for the receiving institution to accept the document, so we do a final check before delivery — and we recommend keeping a copy of the fully authenticated document in case it's needed again.
Example Process Flow
Actual processing can vary depending on the document and destination country. Below are representative flows provided as examples to help you understand.
Example 1 · Power of Attorney for Submission to Thailand
Draft power of attorney → Notarization (required first, as it's a private document) → (Translation if needed) → Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication → Legalization by the Royal Thai Embassy in Korea → Submission. Because Thailand has joined the Convention but it hasn't taken effect yet, this process applies until the effective date (2027-02-28).
Example 2 · Certificate of Family Relations for Submission to a Non-Member Country
Issue Certificate of Family Relations → (Translation if needed) → Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication → Legalization by that country's embassy in Korea → Submission. This is the common flow when submitting to non-member countries (Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, etc.), though each embassy's specific requirements must always be checked in advance.
Non-Apostille-Convention Countries
Use the search box below to check your destination country, or browse the map/continent list to see which countries have a diplomatic mission in Korea and are not members of the Apostille Convention.
Map of Non-Apostille-Convention Countries
Check non-member countries in the list by continent.
Asia-Pacific8 countries⌄
Latin America1 country⌄
Europe1 country⌄
ⓘ The list above is compiled based on the official HCCH (Hague Conference on Private International Law) Convention status and information from Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on foreign diplomatic missions in Korea. Convention membership/effective status and diplomatic mission status can change — please confirm the latest standard before submission.
ℹ️ About Non-Apostille-Convention Countries
- Not a member of the Apostille Convention.
- Consular authentication / embassy legalization may be required.
- Private documents may need notarization first.
- Whether translation is needed varies by country and document.
- Reception hours, fees, processing time, and required documents vary by embassy.
- Confirming the latest requirements before submission is necessary.
Thailand has joined the Apostille Convention but it hasn't taken effect yet, so it is not included in this list — please separately confirm whether it has taken effect by the time you submit. Vietnam's Convention entered into force on September 11, 2026 and it no longer requires consular authentication, so it is also excluded from this list. For countries not on this list, we'll confirm accurately for you through a consultation.
Authentication Guide by Country
Below is the general authentication path for each country. The actual process can vary depending on the document type and submission purpose, so we'll guide you accurately through a consultation.
Nepal
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAsia-Pacific · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Nepal in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Timor-Leste
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAsia-Pacific · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Timor-Leste in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Laos
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAsia-Pacific · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Laos in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Malaysia
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAsia-Pacific · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Malaysia in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — kln.gov.my (Embassy of Malaysia in Korea). Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Myanmar
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAsia-Pacific · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Myanmar in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Afghanistan
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAsia-Pacific · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Afghanistan in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
ⓘ Diplomatic representation in Korea can change with political circumstances — please confirm in advance
Cambodia
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAsia-Pacific · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Cambodia in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Papua New Guinea
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAsia-Pacific · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Papua New Guinea in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Lebanon
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryMiddle East · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Lebanon in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Libya
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryMiddle East · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Libya in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
United Arab Emirates
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryMiddle East · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of United Arab Emirates in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — mofa.gov.ae (Embassy of the UAE in Korea). Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Jordan
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryMiddle East · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Jordan in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Iraq
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryMiddle East · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Iraq in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Iran
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryMiddle East · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Iran in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Egypt
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryMiddle East · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Egypt in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Qatar
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryMiddle East · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Qatar in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Kuwait
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryMiddle East · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Kuwait in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Ghana
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAfrica · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Ghana in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Gabon
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAfrica · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Gabon in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Nigeria
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAfrica · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Nigeria in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Sudan
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAfrica · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Sudan in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Sierra Leone
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAfrica · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Angola
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAfrica · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Angola in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Ethiopia
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAfrica · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Ethiopia in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Kenya
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAfrica · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Kenya in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Cote d'Ivoire
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAfrica · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Cote d'Ivoire in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
DR Congo
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAfrica · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of DR Congo in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Tanzania
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryAfrica · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Tanzania in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Cuba
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryLatin America · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Cuba in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Holy See
Non-Apostille-Convention CountryEurope · Not a member of the Apostille Convention; confirmed to have a diplomatic mission in Korea.
- Apostille — Not available (non-member)
- Typical authentication path — Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication followed by legalization by the Embassy of Holy See in Korea (may vary by document/purpose)
- Private documents — Often require notarization first
- Official embassy URL — No confirmed official URL is available, so none is listed. Reception hours, fees, and required documents will be confirmed with the latest information during consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries are not members of the Apostille Convention?
Any country not listed in the HCCH Status Table is not a party. Checked against the table on 2026-10-03, the countries covered on this page are all non-parties: Nepal, Timor-Leste, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Lebanon, Libya, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Ghana, Gabon, Nigeria, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Tanzania, Cuba and the Holy See. Thailand has deposited its accession (2026-06-30) but the Convention only enters into force on 2027-02-28, so consular authentication is still needed until then. Viet Nam (2026-09-11) and Algeria (2026-07-09) recently became parties.
How is consular authentication different from embassy legalization?
Consular authentication is the process by which Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the authenticity of a document, and embassy legalization is the subsequent process (or, in some countries, a separate one) in which the destination country's embassy or consulate in Korea authenticates the document. The required order and whether it's needed varies by destination country and document type, and needs to be confirmed before applying.
Is Vietnam consular authentication or apostille?
The Apostille Convention entered into force for Viet Nam on 11 September 2026 (HCCH Status Table). Consular authentication by the Vietnamese Embassy is no longer required; an apostille alone is now sufficient.
Does Vision ApoKorea issue embassy legalization directly?
No. Embassy legalization is performed directly by that country's embassy or consulate in Korea. We handle the filing agency work and confirm/connect the process for you.
Request a Consultation
※ If the form doesn't work for you, you can also reach us by email. apokorea@kakao.com
※ Vision ApoKorea is a private agency service, not a government agency. Consular authentication is performed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and embassy legalization is performed directly by that country's embassy or consulate in Korea; we support the process confirmation and act as your filing agent. This agency service is provided separately from government issuance fees (e.g. KRW 1,000 per copy for consular authentication). Convention membership status and required procedures vary by country and may change, so confirming details before applying is recommended.