Korean Job Discussion Forums

[seanpadraic]

I am trying to figure out how to get my degree and FBI background check apostilled and I am a little confused.

I am from New York State and on their website is says for Diplomas:

Educational documents submitted to the New York Department of State for an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication must first be certified by an official at the educational institution attesting that the document is an official record or a true copy of the original document. The official's signature then must be notarized by a notary public. The notary public's signature must then be certified by the County Clerk in the county where the notary public is qualified to certify.


Can I just photocopy my degree and have it notarized, etc.? Does this mean I need to get another copy of my degree and have it signed by an official at the educational institution? Could I just fax them a copy and have them sign it and fax it back?


The reason I ask is because I live 8 hours from my university... So, it's not really feasible for me to go there and get it signed.


Also, can you get the FBI Background check apostilled by New York State or does it have to be through D.C.?

[globusmonkey]

I'm in NY, and here's what I did. I didn't have someone at my university verify the copy, so I'm not sure where that requirement comes from (and it should be verified as is, since most diplomas are signed by University officials when they are issued. As long as the diploma looks official, i.e. not printed in crayon, I think you'll be fine.) Here's what my process was:

Took diploma to nearest notary public (town/city office). Had them make photocopy, then notarize.

Took notarized copy to county offices for clerk to certified.

Mailed to Albany for processing - took about a week.

So, unless you're in a super hurry and this is the only thing holding you back from the job, I would go the same route that I did. Initially, I didn't even have the county clerk certify it, but the state sent it back within a couple of days to tell me that had to be done first (there was no mention of having further certification from my university, so you should be fine without). It's not like the CRC process with the FBI, so you should be able to get it done in a week's time.

Hope that helps!

[Rhodesian]

I went to a South African University and now live in New Zealand and hope to teach in Seoul next year- does anyone know if I send my degree certificate (or copy) to NZ dept of Internal affairs or to the South African educational office that does apostilles, for the purpose of teaching in Korea (have not decided if I'm going hagwon or public school route yet)>

I was trying to follow the other apostille thread and from what I can make out:
a) I need to get a notarised copy of the original certificate sent to be apostilled. Is that right-or do I send the original ?
b) Should I get two copies for maybe future use if I want to teach later in another country? (i.e what is the lifespan of an apostille?)
c) Do I get a lawyer in NZ to do the notarising?
d) I have transcripts from the South African uni. that were sent to me a few yrs ago. Do I need to ask for another set sealed and stamped (in unopened envelope)??

Also if I have lived in other countries would a police clearance from NZ suffice for teaching in Korea?
thnaks for any advice

[careyanna]

I'm also confused about how to go about getting my apostilles. I am in Tennesee and called the TN Department of State who told me I needed to have both my diploma and CRC notarized and have the county clerk certify it. Here's what I don't understand:

A notary can only notarize something that your are signing and I'm not signing my diploma . . or the CRC. Am I supposed to write something that says "I certify this is my diploma blah blah blah," sign it and have that notarized??

Also, both documents have raised seals on them already. . . they are obviously legit. Is that not enough??

[Rhodesian]

Hi careyanna
I've been told I just need to get certified copies apostilled. The original degree is obviously legit but you don't want to send that to any emplyer or agency, do you?

This link ay have some info for you in the states:http://www.gone2korea.com/apostille-united-states.html

[globusmonkey]

What you're going to be notarizing is the copy of your diploma, not the actual degree itself. The notary is the one who will make the copy and then certify that it is an authentic copy of the document. When you send off for your visa, you're required to send copies of the diploma, not the original, so don't get it stamped or altered (and never send off the original).

As far as the CRC goes, that usually needs to be sent off to D.C. to be apostilled by the Dept of State, unless your state is one of the few that can do their own apostille. And, yeah, even though the documents have seals and official stuff all over them, Korean immigration requires you to jump through the hoops. Hope this helped!