Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Shofny]

Hi

I am currently in the process of getting together my documents and then applying for the EPIK program via ESLStarter. I wondered if anyone knew of a cheap solicitors firm either in Essex or London whereby I can get my degree cert and crb disclosure notarized before I send it off for apostille? I will need to get the originals and the photocopies all notarized and I have no money to do this!!!!!!!! Can anyone help please? Is there a way I can get these done for cheap or have a payment plan? Does anyone know of anyone that can do it?

All of this is so much hassle and expensive ... but I want to teach in South Korea so badly!!!!!

Please help! Thank you!

Shofny

[morrisonhotel]

You can get it done at a solicitors in Milton Keynes for a fiver if you fancy a day trip. I'm afraid the whole thing isn't particularly cheap. I got mine done for nothing because I knew the solicitor. It shouldn't cost you more than �20 tops anywhere per item (I think about �10 is average). Why don't you save some money and just use the original degree certificate rather than get it copied, notarised and apostilled?

[Shofny]

Hey thank you for your response.

I was told by the agency that I need to get it notarized whether it is an original copy or not. I rung up the FHO who do the apostillation and they said the same thing. I guess I will have to make a day trip to Milton Keynes! I keep being quoted a lot of money from various solicitors and I am convinced that they are overcharging me! Are they open Saturdays? And what is their address? Oh this is all so new to me and quite a bit of hassle...but worth it nonetheless.

You mentioned using the original copy - can you do that??? Even if applying for EPIK program?

Why do they need it notarised if it is an original copy?

Shofny

[morrisonhotel]

You need to get the basic disclosure notarized and apostilled for sure. As far as I'm aware, you can use the original degree certificate without going to a notary public or sending it to the FCO. You can certainly get a copy for your own records but I don't think it is necessary for an application from the UK (anyone able to correct that?). Ah, if you go on the Flying-cows website (the UK based Korea teaching recruiter) they state that people from the UK need "Your original degree or a notarised copy of your degree (for details of how to obtain a notarised copy of your degree please contact your nearest Korean embassy)" for obtaining a visa. A notarized and apostilled copy is not necessary - unless, of course, your employer loses it or it goes missing in the post.

If anyone quotes more than �20 walk away. They are ripping you off! Unless you are sending it to one of the solicitors in Milton Keynes who will notarize it and then drop it off at the FCO for next day collection (who, IMO, vastly overcharge for a two minute job). You should pay - if you go to Milton Keynes - about �5 for a solicitor to notarize the document (there is a couple of solicitor's offices next to the FCO in Milton Keynes) + the fee for getting it apostilled at the Foreign Office (�28 ). The fee for notarizing documents may differ though (I was quoted �25 from a local solicitor before I remembered a family friend). I believe you can also get it done at a local court (which costs somewhere between 10 and 25 depending on where you are). The FCO is not open on Saturdays so you would have to go during the week to get everything done yourself. It's a drop off service and wait a few hours before collection. Depending on where you are (London area?), it would be cheaper just to get it notarized locally and then send it to them via recorded delivery (I think it cost me �1.20 for recorded delivery).

[morrisonhotel]

Also, you don't need a copy of your basic disclosure notarized. It's just the document itself that needs to be notarized and apostilled for UK visa applicants. You will be wasting money if you copy it and get both the original and copy notarized and copied.

[SSA]

Hi

When I came over I was looking for a notary public in London and was quoted �80-100. I checked the check-list again and it does say a solicitor or notary public. So I called a local solicitor and it was �5 per page.

ONLY after you have the stamp to say it is a genuine photo copy can you send/take it to the FCO in Milton Keynes. If you go there without that they will not Apostile it. I know this because a guy was in there with me and was turned away. I got my police check and degree cert done.

I took mine to the FCO personally but at that time it was still in Charing Cross (it moved to MK about 3 weeks later).

So try calling a local solicitor.

Im not sure about this (maybe someone else knows) but I gave in the apolstiled copy of degree and the origional police check and neither were given back to me. I would never give my original degree certificate over without being certain they wernt going to keep it. You will post all the documents to Korea where they take them to immigration and then send you a Notice of Employment. I never saw any of the docs again. Maybe if you send the original degree you get it back im not sure.

[morrisonhotel]

Yes, if you use your original degree certificate, from what I've read, you should definitely get it back.

[Shofny]

Hello!

Wow, thank you both for your replies. I have drawn a list of local solicitors in Chelmsford where I live and I will get some quotes from them. I have heard that there is a solicitors firm in London that can do the notarization for �5 at the time of writing - what do they mean by at the time of writing?

Have any of you heard of their services?

thank you again for the replies, it's really helpful. I think I will keep the original copy of my degree cert and just send the photocopies. As for the CRB I will keep apostilled photocopies and send them the original apostilled copy. No one has mentioned a medical certificate, I take it that is not important unless you have a serious illness?

Shofny

[morrisonhotel]

I have no idea what they mean - they probably mean that that is what they charge for the service at the day of them writing that (so they can cover their backs if they decide to increase the price). I'm not London based so I can't really help you.

[Shofny]

Hey

Thank you anyway, you've been a great help so far! I have emailed the firm in London so hopefully they will get back to me soon.

Just one more question and I will look at other people's posts...how long have you been teaching in SK and how would you rate your experience there? Was your application process just as longwinded?

Shofny

[morrisonhotel]

I haven't left yet for my first time. I've just done heaps and heaps of research.

[fourteentwentyseven]

hello,

i'm also in the process of applying for a visa and have had a really hard time finding affordable notarization! i called up the legalisation office themselves and they told me that if i was looking to come personally to get my documents apostilled then while i was there they could recommend local solicitors who are used to dealing with the legalisation office's requirements and don't charge extortionate amounts of money.

i'm wondering if anyone can tell me whether it matters if a solicitor or public notary notarizes the documents. i'm really new to all this, and the legalisation office said that both a solicitor and a public notary can notarize for the apostille, but that you should check with the country you're going to. solicitors are cheaper thatn public notaries, they said. does it make a difference at all for south korea?

[litebear]

Good thread this!

So can I try and recap some of the information.

To get my Degree certificate Apostilled it doesn't need to be notorized, I can just send down the original?

But to get my Disclosure checck Apostilled it does need to be nototrized.

Is this correct?

[morrisonhotel]

I'm not sure fourteentwentyseven. For Scotland, all solicitors are technically notary publics. I'm not sure how it works down south (I would imagine along similar lines).

Litebear, your degree certificate doesn't need apostilled either. You just send it to Korea with your other stuff for the visa issuance number. The Disclosure definitely needs to be notarized and apostilled.

[Shofny]

Hey

Thanks guys this is all really helpful. I have found a solicitors firm in London who can certify my documents not notarize them though, is this enough? They charge five pounds per document!

Shofny.