Korean Job Discussion Forums

[martinpil]

My recruiter has said they need a notarised copy of my degree and certs. CAn I take my originals to a solicitor to notarise them or do I have to get an official copy from the foreign office first, because this costs about �67 per certificate.

[sas]

This is the information I have been using, it sounds like your recruiter doesn't want the originals.

"If you do not want to send your original degree, you can get a notarized copy. Do so by making a photocopy and having this copy notarized by a notary public in the same state as the university. Then, send or take this notarized copy of your degree to the Apostille in the United Kingdom for Apostille authentication"

I believe it is fine to get a solicitor/notary public to do it, they make the photocopy themselves and notarize it, but then the document usually has to be apostilled at the FCO in Milton Keynes (which i THINK makes the document internationally recognised), which costs �28.00 + �6.00 for the return registered post. You can take the docs in person (which is quicker and saves on postage) or you can post them.

This is the link to the website:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/what-we-do/docs-and-legal-services/legalisation/

I'm only just going through the process myself so i'm not 100% sure that every recruiter wants things doing in the same way, but I hope this helps.

I've also found this site useful:

http://morganrecruiters.com/index.php/working/single/e_2_visa_process_for_british_applicants/

[martinpil]

This is my Q, becos I thought only the CRC had to be apostilled, and the certs just notarised...Im so confused

[sas]

Every recruiter or website I have used have said that the COPY of the diploma needs to be apostilled when applying for either a public or private position. You could avoid this if you want to risk sending the original with a straight, un-notarized copy as they can obviously tell that it is a true copy of the original. Otherwise, you could just ask the recruiter.

[a234]

Hi,

Just got ours done. You take your degree or certificate to a solicitor and they make a photocopy for you. Some solicitors will ask you to sign it in their presence and they sign it too ( some just sign it for you). You then take it through to FCO in Milton Keynes ( or you can post it). Make sure that they print their name next to their signature so that FCO can check it against their database. Charges are �5 for a certified copy and �28 to get docs legalized at FCO.
That's the process we were told to go through by The Korean Embassy in London.

Hopes this helps.

[martinpil]

yes, but isn't it just the DEGREE certificate and CRC that need an apostille? The other certificates just need to be notarised.

And actually thr CRC doesn't need to be notarised, just apostilled.

So, as far as this thread is concerned, isn't it just the degree out of all of the academic certs that needs notarising and apostilling?

[sugarkane59]

I was so confused too!

Basically:

Get your original CRB check notarised by a solicitor, then take that to the FCO to be apostilled.

Get a photocopy of your degree certificate and do the same. Recruiters don't want the responsibility of having your original certificate - don't blame 'em!

Hope this helps.

[martinpil]

I was told you dont need to notarise the CRB because you actually get the original crb cert apostilled itself, whereas the degree, you dont use the original hence you need to both notarise and apostille that.

But am I right in thinking you dont need to notarise and apostille your tefl cert or pgce (if you have one)?

[sas]

Hi a234, just out of interest, who did you get to notarize the degree for you and did it cost �5.00? I got the magistrates court to do my CRC but it took 2 hrs and costs me �25.00 so don't want to do that again.

[a234]

you need to get the CRB signed by a solicitor. FCO needs a name to check it against their database. I took the original thinking that they would legalize it as its the original, but you still need to get a solicitor to certify it. The solicitor will stamp it on the back. I am not sure of teaching certificates, but I would have gathered that doing the same process as your CRB ( if you don't mind sending the original) or certified copy if you wanted to keep it safe.
Have you asked the Korean Embassy?

[sas]

martinpil, you can't get an apostille without notarization, even on the originals.

[martinpil]

who cares it's only a fiver extra.

[Savant]

[a234]

Hi sas,

I got the certified copies done in Milton Keynes, FCO have solicitors just down a block from their offices that they send customers to and I was done in 5mins. Any solicitor will do it for you, does not take long at all.

Sorry martinpil seems that I am going over what you have already said.
Obviously not helping at all.

[sas]