Korean Job Discussion Forums

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

I'm not in the U.S. I'm in Korea. A recruiter was telling me I could have a relative do a background check on me. How does that work exactly?
I do have 3 sisters living in the state capital. And what about this apostille? What exactly do I have to? Is there a certain form that has to be filled out? Do I need to send a special signed authorization letter authorizing the background check. I am not really familiar with all this...

Your help would be appreciated, because I need to get the ball rolling for my process...

Jessie41 · Joined: 14 Dec 2007

Adventurer,

Every state is different so it is difficult to say what forms you need exactly. The best place to start is your state law enforcement agency. For example, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation will issue a notarized background check for a $13 fee and anyone can request the check on the subject. However, other states will not issue the background check to anyone but the subject.

The apostille process should be detailed on your state's Secretary of State's website. The fees and forms vary.

There are several threads such as " The 'United Statesian' Criminal Record Check" and "U.S. Apostille" that cover this subject. Perhaps someone from your state has posted what they went through on one of these threads.

hiphopjunkie · Joined: 27 Nov 2007

It varies from state to state as to how to get you CRC. Here is a link for states and their requirements. http://www.casanet.org/program-management/volunteer-manage/criminal-bkg-check.htm

Here is a link of apostille info by state. http://www.apostilleinfo.com/usa.htm

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

hiphopjunkie · Joined: 27 Nov 2007

I was able to find the requirements for my state, but didn't check out the others. I was hoping to help steer some towards useful info as people seem to not know where to start. If I come across sites with more information, I will post them.

jadarite · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject:

What if you don't have a "state"? I lived and worked in Japan before coming to Korea. So, there isn't a home back in the US. My family is spread out from the east to west coast.

hiphopjunkie · Joined: 27 Nov 2007

I suppose it would be your last (or really, any) place of residence where you had a mailing address. The point of the criminal check is to have it come up "negative" - ie. with no history.

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

hiphopjunkie · Joined: 27 Nov 2007

Thanks for the clarification. I'm learning about this day by day - as I think we all are.

mykrobb · Joined: 01 Feb 2006

does anyone know anything about getting a background check through an online company then having the U.S. embassy in Seoul notarizing it? someone recommended that for me.

Trevor · Joined: 16 Nov 2005

Ditto, I heard Americans could do this. Notarizing by the embassy for $30 in lieu of an apostille.

Anyone?

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=106398&start=75

MA_TESOL · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Location: Seoul

Be careful about this site going around: www.criminalrecordcheck.com. It advertises a 59.00 national check. i decided to do it and all it does is list the States and for each State if someone has your first and last name it shows data on them. No where is there any form to print out that directly says if you are clear or not. I could not find anything worthy of being notarized at the US Consulate..nothing

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

I had no trouble getting U.S. Embassy to notarize my affidavit. The first post on this link explains how I did it:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=106398&start=75

When I went to Korean Immigration (in Suwon) the clerk looked over all my papers including the online CRC - covered by the notarized affidavit - and approved me without any comment (but I was just extending my sojourn at the same job...)

The reason I did the CRC was because my Korean co-teacher said that GEPIC officials require it for teachers hired by independent recruiters... She may have been wrong, but I figured I'd have to do it sooner or later.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

The company that I used - recommended by Mr. Lee:
www.criminalbackgroundrecords.com

In a few seconds they check if you have any record (according to name and birthdate) in 46 states.

For states you have no record it lists "no convictions" and under details "N/A"

If you have any record in a state, it goes to the top of the list and you click on "details" and another page comes up listing your offense(s)

Print out both pages and staple together.

The U.S. Embassy is not interested in seeing the CRC at all. You just pay them to authorize your affidavit that "it's true and accurate to the best of your knowledge" and/or "no changes have been made to the report" that you are submitting to Korean Immigration.

Attach the notarized affividavit as a cover for your CRC - looks official enough to pass , i.m.o.