Korean Job Discussion Forums

april · Joined: 23 Oct 2009

Just to get this clear-Korea will be good with a background check from only the state you live in? Thanks!

Baummer · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Location: Paju

I just called the embassy in new york, and they didn't seem to care if you have the printed PATCH form from pennsylvania, rather than a signed form. he said as long as it's apostilled. Has anyone actually been denied with an internet printed background check?

Old Gil · Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Location: Got out! olleh!

I was denied with a stamped, apostilled, certified STATE POLICE check from the State of Illinois because it had an intra net address on it. I had to get one from Missouri after that snafu, while working under the table for 6 weeks. Boo urns. However, a week after I went in, a girl with the same exact check got accepted. Probably adds to the marriage pool for the poor stress man of Korea. Rule of law sparkling.

persephone · Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Location: France

Park English · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: Itaewon Seoul

Hi all,

In regards to getting your FBI check apostilled, it is okay in the state of Arizona; I am looking at one right now. Since there are not any state background checks in Arizona, this may be the reason for allowing the apostille of the FBI check. I do know that many states will not apostille an FBI check, so Arizona might be the only state that will.

About the NY Korean Consulate being okay with the printout from PA, yes they are. However, it will be denied by immigration in Korea; and since you need to be sponsored by your school in Korea first, you must use the mail in form (Criminal History Request Form) in PA. Here is the link: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=4451&&PageID=458621&level=2&css=L2&mode=2.

Hope this helps.

Park English · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: Itaewon Seoul

Hi again,

Also, recently, there has been some confusion about the state background check in California. Here is the link to requesting your own state background check; you will need to have a live scan done first (fingerprinted): http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/security.php.

Some police stations in California will say you need a request form from your employer, however, if you use the above link and form you will be fine.

Hope this helps.

jamiemexi · Joined: 13 Feb 2010

FBI background check takes 13 weeks now. It's ridiculous. Yeah like someone said, go to a live scan facility. It takes 2-3 business days to get your CRC. Apostille Pros
www.apostillepros.com have a live scan machine to process the background check and they can do the apostille. It's very convenient. The way they had done it, it was only 1 document so it saved me money on translation. Not to mention they had it certified translated. So overall, it was convenient for me.

Ebrown · Joined: 14 Mar 2009

MetaFitX · Joined: 23 Jun 2009

I just recently got my BCI&I from the state of Ohio, however I noticed it has no signature on the bottom. Should I get another one this time w/ a signature, before I get it notarized and apostilled so I potentially don't have to go through the process again?

JILLheartsTVXQ · Joined: 20 May 2010

I got fingerprinted and I received a criminal background check from New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, but what they sent me looks like a computer print off. It is multiple pages-- not a one page certificate with a signature. Please help

jamiemexi · Joined: 13 Feb 2010

Most South Korea teaching facility would only accept state background checks not police background checks. But check with your agency.

California State Background Check:
In California you go through a step called "Live Scan" for state background checks. Go into an office, live scan facility, police station and get digital fingerprinted and your information (name, birth date) get sent to the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice has criminal history record of people that have been fingerprinted and booked at the police stations in California. Their database. It cost $52 for the live scan. If you don't have a criminal history record, you can receive the CRC in 2-3 business days. It may take up to a week because of budget cuts in California. If you have a record, it can take up to 2 weeks to months. They get details from the courts where you've been arrested.

***Important
This may or may not save you money. If you're teaching in Spain, sometimes they require all documents to be translated then apostille. Well if you have to get a live scan and live in Orange County (the O.C) you may want to visit www.apostillepros.com

They will do the live scan where they get the original signature. When you do this it's 1 piece of paper (CRC). So this mean, you only have to translate 1 piece of paper. If you go somewhere else, you get a copy signature from the DofJ, if you get a copy signature, you will have to translate 2 papers. So you will lose money on translating 2 papers. South Korea teachers do not have to translate documents, only Spain.

Vs.

Michigan State Background Check:
In Michigan, it's done online. No fingerprints.

So depending on the state, they have different process.

Apostille:
Then you have to get your CRC apostille. If you're in South Korea, you can contact Apostille Pros www.apostillepros.com
They will get the apostille for you and send it to South Korea. All you have to do is send them your CRC paper, (original).

Nationwide Background Check in the U.S.
FBI background check is nationwide. You do this is if you lived in California and Michigan or your requesting agency is asking for a FBI background check. You probably have to get a FBI 'cause you moved so much. This takes 13 weeks to get and it's done on an ink card FD258. If you mess up cause your fingerprints are not clear, you have to wait another 13 weeks. You should take two fingerprint cards, so the FBI people can see your prints. This is not electronic. This can be done at the police station or live scan facility.

Hopefully this helps... Have fun teaching in another country.

mariposita · Joined: 07 May 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Since I just had mine done in UTAH, thought I'd post our state's info for any locals who need it.

1. Go to BCI website http://publicsafety.utah.gov/bci/yourcrimrecord.html, print out form and mail (if you have fingerprint card - takes approx 7-10 days) or take to BCI office in person (same day service and they do fingerprinting there if you don't have a FP card). NOTE: Fees go up June 1 to $20 for a fingerprint CBC and $15 to do the fingerprints there.

2. When you have CBC from BCI, go to http://www.authentications.utah.gov/process.html. Again print form and mail or take in person to the capital ($15). They will return it within about 3-4 business days.

I did both processes in person since I live in SLC so not far from either office. Took 4 business days total to get and receive completed.

REMEMBER: These are state offices so they are both closed on Fridays.

wdavis2 · Joined: 19 May 2010

kissdisap · Joined: 19 Feb 2010

Park English · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: Itaewon Seoul

Hi,

Thanks for all the feedback and sorry about the delayed response.

Yes, you need to have lived in the state you request your state background check from for at least a couple years.

Also, starting January 2011, state checks from the US will no longer be accepted. FBI checks will be required and they typically take 8 to 12 weeks to get, so make sure to request them early.

We hope this helps.