Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jane Kashtel]

I was recently offered a teaching job near Seoul, but my worry is that I won't have enough time between now and my start date to finalize my paperwork, specifically my background check. I told the recruiting agency I was using that my ideal start time would be mid-July, but they suggested I try to apply for one that would have me starting starting July 1 (and naturally, I would arrive in Korea a few days beforehand).

Now that I've been offered a position, would I have enough time to get a background check and have it notarized between now and then? I realize that it can take longer, depending on which state you use to obtain one. I suppose I'm just looking for a general answer but if anyone has any experience with the Maryland or Virginia state police in obtaining one, I'd be very grateful.

[toadhjo]

I can't offer any specific advice about either of those states, but if possible, it'll be a lot faster to get it done in person. In Minnesota, it would've taken a week or two by mail, but I was able to get it done same day by going to the proper place. Granted, I live in the state capital, so this was convenient.

Here's websites for Maryland and Virginia that may help:
http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/bgchecks.shtml
http://www.vsp.state.va.us/CJIS_Criminal_Record_Check.shtm

[losing_touch]

I think that you will have enough time. I am from Maryland and have been through the process from overseas. If I were in the states when I did it, it would have been much faster. First, you don't need a state level check. The local cops might be able to get you something very, very quickly. I don't know because I was processing mine from Bangkok.

The state level check is $18. Fingerprints are required which is a bit of a pain. You can give them a call and they will mail out their cards to you for free. I just made a call on Friday and they were at my US address on Monday.

While their website says it can take up to ten days, my experience was that the background check was processed within a couple of days and back in less than a week.

The Apostille process was simple. Being from the Bethesda/Rockville area, a trip to Annapolis to visit in person was not an option for my family. On their way to work, they dropped the background check in a mailbox in DC. It was back in literally 2 days. I am not sure how it made it through the postal system so quickly, but it did.

Maryland was on the ball. They had their crap together and got the job done. From there, it was a simple matter of sending it to Korea.