Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Douglas B]

I have been sifting through the posts and it seems some folks are getting state Secretary of State apostilles for the FBI check. I understood that the apostille for the FBI MUST be from the US Secretary of State.

Can anyone say with real certainty which is accepted by immigration in Korea?

Thanks.

[marsavalanche]

I've read everything up and down on these forums on your question.

I can say: it depends on the state. People from CA, and TX have mostly reported having their CBC's approved by the SOS/Korean Immigration. However people from other states such as WA have been denied.

If you're from the CA and TX I'd say you're good but otherwise assuming you're not in a rush just go through the DOS.

Don't listen to trolls here that will tell you any state will do it. I've read plenty of posts here from people of other states being denied.

[Douglas B]

Thank you for the input!

[iatemymonkey]

Whoa.

I just had my FBI CBC apostilled in Massachusetts by attaching a notarized affidavit to it and then getting the apostille from my state house.

I had been planning to get it done through the Secretary of State in DC but the FBI did not stamp and sign it (as I had asked them to) so I decided on the MA way.

Do you mean to tell me that this is not acceptable?

[Douglas B]

Hello,

This just happened to my colleague today (FBI letter returned to her without the seal and signature). In your FBI criminal check letter to you, there is a phone number explicitly listed for customer service. Call them and find out if they can reissue the CBC letter with the seal and signature. If they can do this in a timely fashion, I would go this route and then send your new letter onto the US Dept. of State for apostille. You might as well do it the way you know will be approved here in Korea, rather than risk it with a state apostille, right? I sent my FBI letter to the US Dept of State for apostille today. I am not going to risk a state apostille being rejected by immigration here in Korea. Also, call your local immigration office here and ask them straight out if you can file your FBI check and apostille after you renew your contract. They may say yes. Good luck