Korean Job Discussion Forums

South Jeolla Blues · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Location: Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do

I would like to know if anyone has any information regarding apostilles and FBI criminal background checks. The best that the FBI can offer is an accompanying letter stating that they do not grant apostilles. They can notarize the letter and you can have the apostille put on the letter.

My reasons for asking relate to the FBI search itself. Basically, if there is no criminal record, they stamp the back of your fingerprint card stating that there is no criminal record. There is no seal affixed and no signature. Under the terms under which apostilles are granted, I am under the impression that they can only be granted to something which has a notary seal and the proper notarial language.

Any information anyone?

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

mehamrick · Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Location: South Korea

winterwawa · Joined: 06 May 2007

I covered this topic on another thread, but here it is again.

This is only for Americans.

After a lot of digging, I found a few links from the US State Department and FBI that helps explain the process for getting both an FBI and local background check. I thought maybe these would be helpful for others that have to go through the same thing.

Detailed information from the US State Department is at
http://www.asktheconsul.org/E2ec07.htm

To get the FBI CBC the person making the request will need a cover
letter and fingerprint card. These can be downloaded at

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/cover_letter.pdf
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/pdf/fpcardb.pdf

There is also information at
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm

If the person is in Korea, it looks like the process will go something
like this;

First, for the FBI check, send 18USD to the FBI at the following address
FBI CJIS Division,
Attn: SCU, Mod. D-2,
1000 Custer Hollow Rd.,
Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306.

Wait until they send the results back to you. Then if everything is ok
the document from the FBI has to be mailed to U.S. Department of State
Authentications Office at 518 23rd St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20520
along with 7USD. They will issue an apostille and send it back.

For a local state CBC, the same thing will have to be done only at the
state level. Request a CBC from the local police and have them send
the record to you. Then you have to send your CBC to the state
department in your home state to get an apostille. The state
departments that provide the apostille are listed by alpha at the
bottom of the page at the following link.

http://www.asktheconsul.org/E2ec07.htm

Oh, BTW, it is my understanding that only the local GU offices can do
fingerprinting for the FBI check.

Norith · Joined: 02 Nov 2007

You can have an apostille affixed to any document that is notarized by a current notary public. You can get almost any document notarized; most state-locations where they provide apostilles can/will give you a document for apostilling copies, so at the least you can have a copy of nearly anything notarized (and thus apostilled).

The notary-form that the apostilling-location will give you just says that the document they notarize is in fact an identical copy to some other document that they saw. You can have a copy of a copy of a degree notarized and apostilled.

South Jeolla Blues · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Location: Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do

I am very appreciative of the genuninely helpful (as opposed to just plain bitchy) responses I've received. I have worked in Korea before and as we all know, the Korean government is a very strange and capricious animal given to passing laws without much thought for the possible ramifications.

I have ordered my criminal background checks from the state where I last lived and they have been apostilled and are on there way to Korea. However, I am also ordering the FBI check just to be safe.

Getting my state criminal background records apostilled was difficult, due to the fact that the Secretary of State's office is very, very picky about notarizations and I had one report rejected because the notary failed to use the precisely right language.

armbar · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

I sent my FBI CRC to DC to get apostilled about 2 1/2 weeks ago. The wait seems like forever. I'll update when I get my CRC back.

armbar · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

the DC U.S. Dept. of State Authentication office say they cannot apostille my CRC. I should get it back in the mail tomorrow with instructions on how to get it apostilled. I'm guessing it is because it is not signed. This crap is VERY annoying..

d.coles · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Bucheon

I easily got my FBI check apostilled in New York. Just take it to a notary and have it notarized first. Then, check if your state requires verification by your county(actually, the county where you notary is registered). Last step is to take it to the secretary of state, pay the fee and walk out with apostilled CRC. I had no problems, leaving for korea on Wednesday. Good Luck!