Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jack_b57]

Getting Crimingal Background Check (CBC) and Apostille while IN KOREA - Step By Step (incomplete)

Notes:
Source: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks
FAQs: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/faqs
You can do a State Criminal Background check before JAN 1, 2011. Takes less time than the FBI check. State requirements: http://www.asktheconsul.org/E2ec07.htm

STEPS:

Step 1:
Complete the Applicant Information Form here: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/applicant-information-form

-If the request is for a couple, family, etc., all persons must sign the form.
-Include your complete mailing address. Provide your telephone number and/or e-mail address, if available.
-If you are in Korea and have relatives in the US, make the return address the home address in the US and not the State Authentication office for the Apostille. The FBI will not send results to a government agency.

Step 2:
Obtain a set of your fingerprints.

-Provide the original fingerprint card. Previously processed cards or copies will not be accepted.
-Your name and date of birth must be provided on the card. Fingerprints should be placed on a standard fingerprint form (FD-258) ( http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/standard-fingerprint-form-fd-258) commonly used for applicant or law enforcement purposes.
-Include rolled impressions of all 10 fingerprints and impressions of all 10 fingerprints taken simultaneously (these are sometime referred to as plain or flat impressions).
-If possible, have your fingerprints taken by a fingerprinting technician. This service may be available at a law enforcement agency.
-To ensure the most legible prints possible, refer to the Recording Legible Fingerprints brochure.
-Some people have had this done at their local police station. Someone quoted a price of $10 for 2 sets. If in Korea, you can get this done at your local "dong" office. It may help to bring a native speaker.
-You'll need to send all materials overseas (not by fax) since they want the original fingerprints.
-Tip from hogwonguy1979: You can get prints done at camp kim right next to the uso, you dont need to be signed on to base to get this done walk through the gate and go to the building dead in front of you (the uso is on the right) go to the door marked "permits and ids" tell the nice katusa person working there you need to be fingerprinted, they have the fbi cards, fill them out (get 2 done just in case one screws up) and they will do it. takes around 15 minutes. you can get there from either namyeong station on line 1 (walk out the station turn right, turn right again at the main intersection and keep walking) or samgakji station lines 4 and 6 think its like exit 10 walk north you cant miss it

Step 3:
Submit payment.

-Option 1: Obtain a money order or cashiers check for $18 U.S. dollars made payable to the Treasury of the United States. Please be sure to sign where required.
-Option 2: Pay by credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form (pdf). (http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/credit-card-payment-form) Don�t forget to include the expiration date of the credit card that you are using.
* Important note: Cash, personal checks, or business checks WILL NOT be accepted.
* Payment must be for the exact amount.
* If the request is for a couple, family, etc., include $18 for each person.
* If you are making multiple requests per person, include $18 for each request.

IMPORTANT:
Be sure to include a cover sheet stating that the Background check is going to be apostilled so as the FBI will include a seal. This is a bit confusing - but Notarization is NOT apostilling. You need the CBC to be Notarized before you get it Apostilled. If you simply specify to the FBI that you are getting your CBC apostilled, they will Notarize it there so you will then be able to get the CBC apostilled.

TIP:
Also send a pre-paid return FedEX slip for faster return. If you do not, it will simply get returned via regular mail.

Step 4:
Review the FBI Identification Record Request Checklist (pdf) (http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/fbi-identification-record-request-checklist) to ensure that you have included all the information required to process your request.

Step 5:
Mail the required items listed above�applicant information form, fingerprint card, and payment�to the following address:

FBI CJIS Division � Record Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

If they find no record, you will receive a �no record� response. If you do have a criminal history record on file, you will receive your Identification Record, or �rap sheet.� Processing times may take up to 12 weeks depending on the volume of requests received.

Step 6:
Getting the Apostille - MULTIPLE OPTIONS

Option 1(provided from http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/):

When you (or your relatives in the US) get the CBC, send it to

U.S. Department of State
Authentications Office
518 23rd Street NW.
SA-1
Washington, DC 20520

With a check of $8.00 PER Background check you want apostilled. Include, again, a pre-paid fedex slip. It should take 15 days. Also include a coversheet stating the reason for the apostile.

Option 2 (provided from http://seoul.usembassy.gov/acs_notarial_services.html ):
The US embassy in Korea will put an affadavit on the FBI check, which is as good as an apostille.

You can NOT get an apostille at the U.S. Embassy. You CAN swear out an affidavit at the U.S. Embassy, attesting to the authenticity of your background check. The U.S. Embassy WILL notarize such an affidavit. And Immigration WILL accept such an affidavit IN LIEU OF an apostille. This means a sworn affidavit on your CBC from the US Embassy is enough to meet their requirements. This costs $50, and you should book an appointment ahead of time. Other than the cost and travel, it's a painless process.

(updated10/29/10 - if there are any corrections, please reply to this post)

[jbhaferkamp]

[Catfisher]

[gbm75]

I stayed up late a few days ago for the express purpose of calling the Department of State and talking to them about what I needed to do to get an apostille for my degree. I was horrified when the lady I spoke to said that after getting a notarized copy from my school I would also have to take it to a county clerk in the same county where my school is located, and have them notarize it. Then send it to them with the fee.

How am I supposed to do that from Korea?

Then I sent an email to the registrar's office at my school explaining that I needed a notarized copy of my degree so I could get an apostille for it. I thought I would have to get a friend to pick up the copy of the degree and finish the rest of the legwork for me so I asked if somebody other than myself could pick up my degree. Much to my surprise the registrar said that yes, someone could pick it up after it is returned from the Secretary of State - which leads me to think the school will actually get the apostille for me, not just provide the copy of the degree. I'm awaiting an email clarifying whether this is really the case - it seems too good to be true! There is a fee for the apostille service, but in my state it's only $2. I'm also hoping the school might even be able to FedEx the degree to me here in Korea if I provide them with a Fedex account number.

All this to say check with your school. They have probably been through this before and have a process set up to deal with it. I didn't attend a large school and wasn't expecting them to know what I was talking about, but they knew exactly and even sent me a PDF on the apostille process.

Hope you get it worked out.

[SeoulESLteacher09]

can anyone answer my question.....

I have my FBI background check, but I didn't ask for the seal and the signature...

To get an apostille by the Dept of State it has to be authenticated...

my question is-would a notarization be good enough? Will the US DOS put an apostille on a FBI check with notarization or does it have to have the seal and signature

I'm very short on time....I dont want to send it in and get it rejected.....I have been emailing the US DOS constantly for the past 2 days and I'm getting impatient waiting for them to reply

[princess]

[SeoulESLteacher09]

does anyone know the answer to my question? Please! I can't get an answer from the US DOS.

I didnt get the seal or the signature (bc I didnt know I needed it)

Can I just get the FBI check notarized and then sent in for an apostille? (I'm running out of time!)

[SeoulESLteacher09]

[princess]

[Bibbitybop]

[SeoulESLteacher09]