Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gwangjuboy]

I just had my degree certificate and background check notarised by a lawyer and then 'legalised' by the FCO in Milton Keynes. The total cost of this was 80 pounds, which is shocking enough for something which takes only one minute, but there is a much greater flaw in this process than I ever imagined; namely that you could easily take a FAKE degree certificate to the solicitor and the FCO and get it notarised and legalised as there is absolutely no mechanism in place which allows them to ascertain whether it is bona fide or not!

The FCO conceded that they couldn't verify a document's authenticity, but argued that this was not the purpose of the Treaty. Well, I think someone needs to let the Korean immigration authorities know because as fellow members of the Hague Convention they certainly believe that authentication is an integral part of the process - hence the rule change! Obviously, this is just a licensed racket which needs bringing down.

The FCO bigwig, when challenged, even argued that the main purpose of the whole process was to establish that the name of the university on the degree was an accredited institute of higher learning in the UK. Well, someone better tell the cats on Kai-san road to make sure that their fake masterpieces simply refer to a bona fide university;not exactly a taxing matter! Anyhow, I will be pursuing this further because it is a disgrace considering the cost. It serves absolutely no function or purpose whatsoever except to line the pockets of the greedy solicitor and subsidise the plum jobs in the ivory towers at the FCO.

[Steve_Rogers2008]

paragraphs and the return key are your friend!


Or are they?

[Gwangjuboy]

[Gwangjuboy]

After reading more it appears that the FCO's remit is merely to authenticate that the solicitor's signature is genuine - presumably this is next to impossible to do anyway if you faked that too.

So my understanding now is that an apostille authenticates that the signature of a solicitor - who is in no position to verify whether the degree is real or not - is genuine. What's the point? You could conceivably take a fake degree certificate with a fake solicitor's signature and stamp and get an apostille! What a flawed system, and for 80 pounds too.

[Ramen]

This is why I recommend the Thailand route. You could meet all your document needs while taking a wonderful vacation and everything is cheaper there.

[verloc]

Notaries check by phoning your university to see if the information on your certificate is correct. The FCO then check that the notary is licensed.

I know this because I was working at the university I graduated from, and the registrar emailed me to say that she had just spoken to a solicitor confirming my details.

Maybe my case was different as the notary kept my certificate for a couple of days and didn't authenticate immediately.

[Julius]

back to gimchiland after all these years gwangjuboy?

[Otherside]

[verloc]

Yeah, I'm sure it does happen like that, but in my case it was actually verified.

Still, I'm not sure it's wise to complain about it. If such an appeal is taken seriously the most likely result will be the introduction of more time consuming bureaucracy and cost, not less.

[laguna]

[Gwangjuboy]

[Gwangjuboy]

[Oliver]

[Oliver]

The FCO actually state the following on their website.

'Legalisation does not certify the authenticity of a document or give Foreign and Commonwealth Office approval of its content.' They also note that 'Legalisation is the official confirmation that a signature, seal or stamp on a UK public document is genuine'.

Source - http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/legalisation/

Korean immigration may or may not know these things. It doesn't change what we still need to get done - notarization and apostille.

[Gwangjuboy]