Korean Job Discussion Forums

Figure8 · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

Anyone know what the Korean government requires for the criminal records check if you're from the U.S. and have lived in multiple states? Do you need to get one from each state of significant residence? Is an FBI records check a good umbrella substitute for obtaining multiple records, if that's the case? Thanks.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Just pick a state, any state where you once had a driver's license or voted, and go with it. Wink

Figure8 · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

O.K. So, that's enough? I would think it would be. I haven't seen anything mentioned about multiple state records in any of the job requirements, but I wanted to be safe. Some of the important information on my employment history will show that I have lived for more than a year or many years in New York and Oregon, as well as Texas, my home state. I lived in New York for five. Not to drag the point on, but should I get maybe one from New York and one from Texas? - (Only lived in Oregon since Oct. last year).

Thanks.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

I was in the Army and was stationed in SC, VA, and TX. Just pick one and it'll be fine.
Most Koreans cannot grasp the sheer size of the US. They think it's like Korea where you can drive across the country in less than a day.

Figure8 · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

O.K. Thank you.

DongtanTony · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Bundang

Sometimes...and only sometimes...you should have your background check from the nearest point of passport issuance.

For example...I'm from Maine...passport issued through Boston, MA...it mathches up if they do by chance check the thing.

If you're from Hawaii...but have your passport issued through Atlanta.....you might have difficulties with a background check through North Dakota....unless you went to school there.

Something to ponder.....

raclos234 · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Location: korea

i lived in TX for 3 years prior to coming to korea in 2005...and that's the state that i have my current driver's license and which im a resident in.

before that i spent my life in cali.

u can pick any state...but when i applied for my check at the houston pd, it took like 10 minutes, then they had it notarized it and then i sent it to get it apostillized and had it mailed to me in 3-5 days.

Figure8 · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

Great. I'll pick it up in Texas, since that's where my passport was issued. If you happen to look back on this thread, any of you, if I'm in Oregon and I apply to get my check online with Texas (which I can with Texas due to their service), what do I need to do to get it notarized? Do I get it mailed to me here in Oregon and then notarize it and get it apostil...apostle...um, 12 apostlesized, whatever.. in Oregon?

Thanks for your assistance.

DongtanTony · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Bundang

Interesting situation OP....to the best of my knowledge...a different state, will not/cannot apostille a document from a second state because they cannot verify the notarization. A notary public in Texas is registered in Texas...not Oregon...I doubt that Oregon will apostille that document.

Why the additional headaches???

Just get it done in Oregon!!!????

Lekker · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Location: Seoul

Pennsylvania was painless.

Just get it online from the state you grew up in, or lived in the longest.

Figure8 · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

Additional headaches is exactly what I am trying to avoid. I've only lived in Oregon less than a year. My resume, work history, education, would clearly show that. That's the only reason I ask. Sorry for the extra probing. I just don't want to be surprised later if they want something that goes further back in time. It seems like a question I haven't seen much on here. I searched for it but couldn't find much on multiple states, or maybe I didn't look hard enough. But anyway, thanks for the answers. It helps a lot.

DongtanTony · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Bundang

Figure8...it won't matter to Korean Immigration that you've lived in Oregon for a limited period of time.

I promise you...they won't know the difference!!! Local, state, or federal checks...as long as they're clean...will fly through the immigration procedure!!

Don't bother with Texas...if you hold an Oregon drivers license...or have some type of legal residence established there...you shouldn't have a problem at all.

It's worth a shot...and as far as passing it through Korean Immigration...no sweat...they won't be able to tell the difference!!

Good luck!!!

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

I too lived in multiple US states. I requested a check only from my most recent and native state. They conducted both a national and state check. No worries here, as I came up clean on even the national check. I agree that Korean immigration most likely won't care, as long as it says NO RECORD FOUND.

Figure8 · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

DongtanTony · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Bundang

Yeah...I'd just say forget Texas.

If you have legal residence established in Oregon...i.e., you have a driver's license...or some type of legal standing in Oregon...I'd just do it there if I were you.

Even if you don't have "legal residence," I'd still check it out with a local police department in your city first.

Their answers might pleasantly surprise you...it may lead to a lot less hassle for you.

Don't worry about Korean Immigration too much. They won't really know where you're coming from...city or state wise...just as long as you have an apostilled document stating you have no record.

Don't sweat it too much.

Go Ducks!!