Korean Job Discussion Forums

daz1979 · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Gangwon-Do

Hi

I posted a while back how I was having difficulty notarising my degree for my visa application and I am still having difficulty!

My main problem is that it takes 3 working days to complete if I go to London so I wanted to deal with in Leeds UK....... Now this is where my problems start!!! Rolling Eyes

Korean embassy say I have 2 options:

Option 1 : The Chamber of Commerce - The Embassy stated that the chamber of commerce could do this for me, I phoned the COC in Leeds several times and they stated they have never heard of such a service, they did however state that Bradford deal with the notarisation of government documents, so I phoned Bradford, Bradford said they do notarise legal documents but ONLY for companies and not individuals!

Option 2: Public Notary - I phoned a solicitor he said he could do it no problem at �180 a hour. I said im sure he could and put the phone down!!

SO...... I then phoned my University who said they could do it no problem and bring it straight in!! Happy days!!!!! Not quite, I had my degree stamped and the Uni wrote me a letter to confirm the degree was authentic! Was this good enough? No!!! Sad

The embassy said only COC or Public notyary stamps would be acceptable!!

This is crazy and very annoying, im going round in circles!! I head to Korea in August and need to get my visa application rolling!! Surely there is an easier option than these??

My only other real option is hike down to London for 3 days which will cost me at least �210 for 3 nights in a hotel, �60 train fare, �100 living costs and �225 wages that I really can't afford!!!!

Anyone else from the UK experience any problems such as these?

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

You think that's bad, try living here.

daz1979 · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Gangwon-Do

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

plattwaz · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Location: <Write something dumb here>

The only other option is to send your original. Even replacing it should it get lost or not returned to you would be cheaper than the costs you have outlined for going to London for 3 days.

Or, can you not mail it to the embassy in London and have it mailed back to you?

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Kenny Kimchee · Joined: 12 May 2003

It is indeed a hassle. I went to school in Seattle. My stepdad lives in Atlanta. I asked him to go to the Korean Consulate and get copies certified. He went, only to be told that it had to be done in the Seattle consulate. I ended up having him mail me the original. I just finished my contract in Japan and am heading to the Philippines for vacation, which means I've got to carry my degree around with me while living in mortal fear of it getting stolen/damaged/whatever. On the plus side, my uni only charges twenty bucks US for a replacement. Keeping fingers crossed!

sjrm · Joined: 27 Jul 2005

stevenisi · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

I say just send your original. What are your chances of not getting it back? What are your chances of getting into a car wreck?

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

I don't know much about notaries public in Britain, but in the US there are much cheaper options than attorneys charging $300/hr. In the US a county clerk can also function as a notary public and will notarize for a nominal fee if not for free. In the US at least, being a notary isn't that big a deal. Look into it a bit more.

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

If it's notarization, you should be able to get it done at places other than the consulate/embassy. I got mine done for free at a municipal/city/town (?) hall in another country. Alternatively, you might be able to get it notarized more cheaply than a trip to London will cost. Also, you could send your original and just re-apply for a new one if you don't get your original back (although, be warned that you have to be sure about your new employer - some employers withhold diplomas for ulterior motives).