비전 아포코리아Documents for overseas submission,
start with the right notarization process.
From notarizing private documents to certified translation.
We handle the process that fits your submission purpose.
3-Second Summary — Private documents (powers of attorney, contracts, etc.) almost always need notarization first; public documents (government-issued certificates) usually go straight to the next step without notarization.
What Is Notarization?
Notarization is the process in which a notary public confirms that the content of a document, or its signature and seal, is genuine. Private documents (powers of attorney, contracts, statements, etc.) drafted directly by an individual or company generally have no official legal effect on their own, so they often need to be notarized first before overseas submission.
However, notarization isn't always required for every document. Whether it's needed and what the process looks like can depend on the receiving institution and destination country's requirements. Public documents issued by the government, schools, or courts mostly proceed directly to apostille or consular authentication without notarization.
How Is Notarization Different from an Apostille?
Many people mistake notarization and an apostille for the same process. The two differ in purpose and the institution that performs them.
Notarization
An authentication process performed at a notary office (by a notary public), depending on the document type and content. It mainly applies to private documents, confirming things like signature, seal, and the genuineness of the content.
Apostille
Under the Apostille Convention, a process that authenticates a document's official legal effect for overseas submission between member countries (in Korea, handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Private documents mostly go through notarization first and then to an apostille (or consular authentication), while public documents often go directly, without notarization, to apostille or consular authentication. That said, this is the general flow — the exact procedure can vary by country and document type, so we recommend confirming through consultation.
Which Type of Notarization Do You Need?
There are several kinds of notarization. The exact terminology and procedure follow the actual practice of the notary office and relevant law.
Certified Translation
Confirms that a translation matches the content of the original. Mainly needed when the document being submitted abroad is a translated version.
Common documents: Certificate of Family Relations, diploma/transcript, translated contracts, etc.
See translation / certified translation details →Notarization of Facts
A notarization covering specific facts or statements of intent.
Common documents: statements, confirmation letters, various applications, etc.
Consult on whether this applies →Certified True Copy
Confirms that a copy matches the original exactly. Used when submitting the original is difficult or a copy is accepted.
Common documents: copies of registry certificates, copies of contracts, etc.
Consult on whether this applies →※ The type and method of notarization actually applied depends on the document and situation, and the accurate determination follows the notary office's actual practice standards.
Check Whether Your Document Needs Notarization
Below is an example breakdown by situation of frequently asked-about documents. Public documents issued by the government or public institutions mostly go straight to apostille or consular authentication without notarization, while private documents drafted directly by an individual or company often need notarization. For documents not on this list, or where availability isn't confirmed, we'll check for you through consultation.
Personal Documents Notarization Needed
- Consent Form
- Statement
- Confirmation Letter
- Various applications, etc.
Education Documents Check Issuer
- Degree Certificate, etc.
Family Relations Documents No Notarization Needed
- Certified Copy of Family Register, etc.
Legal / Contract Documents Notarization Needed
- Statement
- Agreement
- Consent Form, etc.
Corporate / Commercial Documents
Whether notarization is needed differs depending on the issuing authority for each document.
- No Notarization Needed
- No Notarization Needed
- Notarization Needed
- Board-related documents, etc.Notarization Needed
Documents for Overseas Submission
For any of the above intended for overseas submission — we review translation, apostille, and consular authentication together
※ "No Notarization Needed" refers to the general case of submitting a public document issued by the government or a public institution in its original form; "Notarization Needed" means it is a private document drafted directly by an individual or company and often requires notarization; "Check Issuer" means the process can vary by issuer (public/private institution, etc.). Whether notarization actually applies depends on the receiving institution and country's requirements, so we'll confirm items that need checking accurately through consultation.
Notarization Process
1. Document Review
Whether a document is private or public completely changes the process that follows, so we identify this first. Private documents drafted directly by an individual or company — such as powers of attorney, statements, or contracts — often need notarization, while public documents issued by the government, schools, or courts mostly proceed directly to apostille or consular authentication without it. We also confirm whether the original must be brought and whether a copy can be submitted at this stage, reducing the chance of needing to reissue documents later.
2. Check Destination Country & Institution
Even the same document can require a different authentication method depending on the receiving country and institution. Whether the destination country is an Apostille Convention member, or a non-member requiring consular authentication and embassy legalization, changes the subsequent steps and timeline — so before starting notarization, it's important to first confirm the receiving institution's requirements (whether notarization is needed, the authentication steps, document format). Proceeding with notarization first without checking these requirements can mean redoing the whole process.
3. Determine Notarization Type
There are several types of notarization depending on the purpose: certified translation (confirming a translation matches the original), notarization of facts (covering specific facts or statements of intent), and certified true copy (confirming a copy matches the original), among others. Getting a notarization done in a way that doesn't match your document's purpose and the receiving institution's requirements can lead to being asked to resubmit locally, so this step reviews in advance which type is needed.
4. Notarization Filing Agency
The stage where we file the application with a notary office, matching the confirmed document and notarization type. The act of notarization itself is performed directly by the notary public; we support you by preparing documents and handling the filing process as your agent. Whether the applicant must appear in person or an agent can proceed via power of attorney varies by document type, so making sure all necessary items (ID copy, power of attorney, etc.) are ready at this stage is key to preventing delays.
5. Connect to Apostille / Consular Authentication
Finishing notarization doesn't mean the process is over. For member countries, it continues to an apostille through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or the notary association); for non-member countries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication and legalization by that country's embassy in Korea may also be needed. If you stop at notarization and miss the next authentication step, the document can be rejected by the receiving institution abroad — so it's important to carry the process through seamlessly after notarization.
6. Completion & Delivery
Once notarization and any required authentication are complete, the original document is delivered to the applicant as-is. Both domestic pickup and international shipping are available; since document authenticity affects the authentication outcome, we do a final check before delivery to make sure every stamp and signature at each stage is in place. We recommend keeping a copy of the fully authenticated document in case the same document is needed again later.
※ Not every document goes through the same process. The procedure can vary depending on the document type and the destination country/institution.
Differences by Country
Getting a document notarized doesn't mean it can be submitted to every country right away. What comes next depends on whether the destination country is an Apostille Convention member.
Apostille Convention Member Countries
After notarization (if needed), an apostille alone is often enough for overseas submission.
See Convention status by country →Countries Requiring Consular / Embassy Authentication
For non-member countries, the process can continue from notarization into Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular authentication and legalization by that country's embassy in Korea.
See consular authentication details →※ Each country's Convention membership status is provided based on the latest official sources; unconfirmed countries are marked "Needs confirmation" and we'll advise you accurately through consultation.
Cost Guide
Notarization, translation, apostille, and embassy authentication costs vary by document type and number of pages, notarization method, whether translation is needed, and the destination country. We don't quote unconfirmed amounts at random — an accurate quote is provided through consultation after reviewing your documents.
Notarization Cost
Varies by document type/method — quote consultation needed
Translation Cost
Varies by language/volume — quote consultation needed
Apostille / Embassy Authentication Cost
Government issuance fee (KRW 1,000/copy) separate; agency fee needs quote consultation
Documents to Prepare
What you need to prepare varies by document type and situation. Check below for what applies to your case.
Basic Documents to Prepare
- Original of the document to be authenticated
- A copy of the document, if needed
- ID
- Passport copy or an identity document required by the destination country
※ Required documents can vary depending on the actual authentication process.
When Additional Confirmation Is Needed
- Power-of-attorney-related documents (when proceeding via an agent)
- Translation (when certified translation is needed)
- Documents separately required by the receiving institution
※ May be required depending on the situation, and can vary by receiving institution.
Which Category Does Your Document Fall Into?
Click a category to see what documents you'll need.
Public Documents — In principle, authenticated without notarization
Public documents officially issued by government agencies, local governments, etc. can generally proceed to apostille or consular authentication without separate notarization. However, the authentication process can vary depending on the issuing authority and the requirements of the destination country/receiving institution.
When submitting a public document itself abroad, notarization generally isn't needed first. If the public document is eligible for apostille, you can proceed with the apostille process without notarization. That said, for education documents, the authentication method can vary by issuing institution, so checking the issuer is necessary.
| Document | Notarization | Typical Authentication Path |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Family Relations | Not Needed | Apostille / Consular Authentication |
| Certificate of Marriage Relations | Not Needed | Apostille / Consular Authentication |
| Basic Certificate | Not Needed | Apostille / Consular Authentication |
| Certificate/Abstract of Resident Registration | Not Needed | Apostille / Consular Authentication |
| Certificate of Criminal/Investigation Record | Not Needed | Apostille / Consular Authentication |
The above is based on the general case of authenticating the original public document itself, and the process can vary by issuing authority, destination country, and receiving institution.
Private documents sometimes need separate notarization. See private document authentication guide →
For education documents, check the issuing institution
Education documents issued by schools and universities may be treated as public or private documents depending on the nature of the issuing institution and the document's form. So we don't uniformly label diplomas, transcripts, degree certificates, etc. as "no notarization needed" or "notarization needed." In particular, the authentication method can differ between public and private educational institutions, so checking the issuer is necessary.
| Document | Notarization | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma | Check Issuer | Type of school |
| Transcript | Check Issuer | Type of school |
| Degree Certificate | Check Issuer | Check issuer |
| Certificate of Enrollment | Check Issuer | Check issuer |
| Certificate of Completion | Check Issuer | Check issuer |
※ The actual authentication method can vary depending on the destination country, receiving institution, issuing institution, and the nature of the document. If you'd like to know the exact process, we'll confirm it through consultation.
Private Documents — Drafted by an individual or company
Documents drafted or issued by an individual or company.
- Power of Attorney
- Contract
- Statement
- Confirmation Letter
- Consent Form
- Agreement
- Certificate of Employment
- Career Certificate
- Other documents drafted by an individual or company
Depending on the destination country and the document's nature, notarization may be required first.
When Translation Is Needed
- Korean → foreign language translation
- Foreign language → Korean translation
- Translated document
- Original document
- Related documents if certified translation is needed
Not every document needs translation. Whether translation and certified translation are needed can vary by destination country and receiving institution.
When Filing Through an Agent
- Power of Attorney
- Copy of the principal's ID
- Agent's ID
- If needed, documents confirming the relationship or authority
Requirements can vary depending on the actual process.
Corporate Documents
- Business Registration Certificate
- Certificate of Corporate Registration
- Certificate of Corporate Seal
- Articles of Incorporation
- Shareholder Register
- Board Meeting Minutes
- Contract
- Power of Attorney
- Other corporate-issued documents
Corporate documents sometimes additionally require confirmation of the representative's identity or authority to act on the company's behalf.
Guide by Authentication Method
Apostille
Public document, or a document that has completed the necessary steps → Apostille
Consular / Embassy Authentication
Non-member of the Apostille Convention → Consular Authentication → Legalization by that country's embassy
Notarization
Private document, or if the receiving institution requires notarization → Notarization
Certified Translation
If the receiving institution requires certified translation → Translation → Certified Translation
※ The above list of documents to prepare is a general guideline and doesn't apply identically to every client. Additional documents may be required depending on the document type, destination country, receiving institution, and authentication method. We'll confirm the exact documents and process through consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I get a document notarized, does it automatically get an apostille too?
Do I have to appear in person for notarization?
Can a notarized document also get an apostille?
What's the difference between certified translation and plain translation?
When is a certified true copy needed?
Can a document written in a foreign language be notarized?
Does a notarized document have an expiration date?
Is notarization for overseas submission different from ordinary notarization?
Is embassy legalization sometimes needed after notarization?
How is the notarization fee determined?
Does Vision ApoKorea perform the notarization itself?
Do public documents also need notarization?
Why Vision ApoKorea
- We start by confirming your document's purpose — Rather than jumping straight into notarization, we first check whether it's the right process for your submission purpose.
- We factor in destination country and institution — We review Convention membership and receiving institution requirements together.
- We connect notarization all the way through to overseas authentication — From notarization filing agency to apostille, consular authentication, and embassy legalization.
- We make a complex process easy to understand — We explain the actual flow of what happens, not jargon.
- Tailored consultation by document — We guide you precisely through only the steps you actually need, based on your document and situation.
What to Check Before Notarization
Answering the items below helps us understand your situation in advance for a more accurate consultation. It's fine to select "Not sure" for anything you're unsure about.
※ The above is preliminary information for consultation purposes; the actual authentication method and documents to prepare can vary depending on the destination country, receiving institution, and document type.
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 or notary. The act of notarization itself is performed at a notary office; we provide support for the notarization filing process and act as your filing agent. Government issuance fees (KRW 1,000 per copy for apostille/consular authentication) are charged separately from our agency fee, and requirements may change, so please confirm details before applying.