Korean Job Discussion Forums

Drew345 · Joined: 24 May 2005

Is it necessary to get notarized copies of my diploma or does it have to be notarized-apostilled copies of the diploma in order to give to immigration to get an E-2 visa?
I can probably get notarized copies, but it would be easier to just order more originals than to get notarized-apostilled copies.
Hmmm, I am assuming here that original diplomas are still accepted (no need for any notarize or apostil on an original), right?
Thanks,

Drew345 · Joined: 24 May 2005

Anyone ever use a copy of diploma rather than original for getting an E-2 visa?
Was the copy notarized and apostilled or just notarized?
Thanks,

Kikomom · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:43 am Post subject:

You should use a copy. Notarized and apostilled.

Copies can be made by a Notary Public when it's being notarized. Then follow your state's apostille procedure (some require a County Clerk verification) and you can usually have it back in the mail within a week.

That's assuming you're in the states. Or are you already in Korea? Or from a different native English speaking country?

Bryan Saxton · Joined: 01 May 2009 Location: Eugene, OR

About having copies apostilled: My banker made a notarized copy of my degree. He admitted that he's never done it before and he wasn't sure if he was doing it right. What he did was make a regular black and white photocopy (on normal printing paper) and filled out an additional individual acknowledgement sheet.

Is this enough for an apostilled copy of my degree?

mai · Joined: 12 Jun 2009

Bryan Saxton · Joined: 01 May 2009 Location: Eugene, OR

Wow Mai, that's quick! Was your background check completed in one day? And was it a State check or a local check?

Drew345 · Joined: 24 May 2005

Thanks for the info,
I am still in America, Washington state.
Apostiles are a bit expensive in Washington state ($15).
On top of this is a strange problem that the Notaries here (2 of them anyway), never heard of a notarized copy?!? They say in Washington State notaries only notarize a Signature (stating that the signature is authentic). In Tennessee and California I got notarized copies (with notary seal directly on the copy) before, but it seems the Northwest is different.
So, turning into too much headache, will just use originals for E-2 visa.
Thanks for the info though!

Kikomom · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:03 pm Post subject:

Your can try your County Records Custodian office. Take them your diploma and say that you need a copy notarized as a TRUE COPY to send to the Secretary of State for an apostille.

http://www.secstate.wa.gov/corps/apostilles/

Fat-Elvis · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Location: Boston

So basically, if I make a photo copy of my diploma, and hand it to any notary (like, say, the chick who notarizes loan satisfactions at work), all she has to do is stamp and sign it, and I can take it to be apostilled and they will accept that?

Fat-Elvis · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Location: Boston

Anyone know? I'm gonna be taking this into work in an hour....

Drew345 · Joined: 24 May 2005

I think that the notary has to make the copy, not you. Other than than, yes, sounds good.
I went to the King County Records department in Seattle. They only make notarized copies of documents that they store there, not documents that people bring in. Very odd that I can't seem to get a notarized copy in King County Washington. Oh Well, originals are always good.

Kikomom · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:29 am Post subject:

I can only speak on how Zippy did it. He took his degree and his CBC to the podunk notary at Ken's Stop and Shop (gas station) about 3 miles up the road. They made colored copies, stamped and signed it as a true copy. Then he mailed both to the PA Sec. of State with the cover letter stating it was for South Korea, and the payment. He mailed it on Monday and it was back on Friday.

The easiest thing (a year ago) was the CBC. At that time, online checks were ok, and the Penna. State Police has a website to do it. I had it printed out in less than ten minutes.

It couldn't have been easier, but yes, it cost a bit. $10 for the CBC (online), $10 for the two notarizations, $30 for the apostilles. Then $70 for the DHL documents package to Korea. Not to mention luggage and space bags.

While you're doing all this running around, stop by an AAA and get an international driver license (just in case). Set up web banking and get a debit card and routing info for your local bank so you can get money back to pay your bills. And if you have financial matters to be handled, stop by cousin Murray's (family lawyer) and make a Power of Attorney for your mom or dad if you need help digging yourself out of the hell four years of college loans has put you in. But don't EXPECT them to do it for you, this is just in case you have problems that need untangled while you're off gallivanting around on your wild adventures--and you're willing to share your passwords and account info. Twisted Evil

socratesocks · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Location: Gwangju, Met City

Bring the original diploma to the notary, have them copy it and sign it, don't copy it yourself. You'll need to send the original diploma AND the apostilled copy to the school you'll be working at for the E2 visa. I found that one out the hard way with a second 27.95 for international express mail from the Post Office.

Kikomom · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:04 am Post subject:

Car0lina · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Location: North Carolina

Hubby is here in Korea with all documents except notarized/appostilled diploma. American Embassy site (and nasty woman on phone) state that the Embassy will not notarize academic records- period. We know we have to send the diploma off to apostille, but how the heck are you supposed to get it notarized first? This requirement didn't exist when I started teaching a few months ago.

Any help appreciated! Shocked