Korean Job Discussion Forums

crazy_bagman · Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Location: Donducheon

My school contract is about up and I'm not resigning. I'm gonna apply for another school and now I have to jump through the hoop of obtaining a criminal background check, but this time I'm in Korea while doing it. Makesthings a bit more difficult.

I'm from Oregon and I need my fingerprints taken on a blue applicant form (FD258). I can't do it on any of the Army bases since I'm not a Soldier or a dependant, so I'm looking for another place. I heard there is a place next to the USO by camp KIm in Yongsan, but having difficulty getting a reliable phone number to confirm. DOes anyone know a place to do it?

Also even when I get the criminal background check I have to get it Apostilled, Can the US embassy in Korea do it?

If anyone has any tips or tricks to get the criminal background done ASAP while still working in Korea I could use them.

buster brown · Joined: 26 Aug 2005 Location: Seoul

I don't have a phone number, but I can confirm that you can have fingerprint cards made at Yongsan without being a soldier or dependent. Take subway Line 4 to Sookmyung University Station. Go out Exit 7 and walk straight for about 5-8 minutes. You'll see the USO sign on the right side. At the entrance gate, go in and walk toward the group of buildings on the left side. The first set of doors is labelled something like "Pass and ID Section". I had my fingerprint cards made there in December--no one asked me for ID or anything and everyone spoke English. The main problem you'll have is that they close around 4PM.

Dankman214 · Joined: 26 Jan 2010

If this is for an FBI background check, they take 8-10 weeks to process any ways. I'm in California and sent my F-258 the first of Feb. and am still waiting.... Might be easier to go home for a bit

trippin4redemption · Joined: 11 Mar 2007

Hey Dankman, I was wondering if you had ever got your check back. I'm from California too and am going to have to jump through these same damn hoops. Considering the bs I went through with my absentee ballot (applied for it in August and it arrived on Election Day), I am not all that hopeful, but don't see much other choice.

Also, as to the original post, I think they may do the apostille seal at the embassy here. At least that is what the person (admittedly it was a Korean, so who knows if they understood the question) who answered the phone told me. Let me know how it works out! Regardless, this whole thing is such a pain in the $%#!!

Dankman214 · Joined: 26 Jan 2010

Yes, I finally got it in the mail after close to 8 weeks and it actually shows in more detail any convictions, no good for Korean immigration. The only solution if you have any criminal record (even arrests for the most minor and stupid of offenses like mine) is to get a statewide background check in a state where you have no record.

It seems ridiculous that many people like myself have taught and lived in Korea for well over a year with no problems to speak of and now with this small change in the law cannot return, but that is the way it is.

trippin4redemption · Joined: 11 Mar 2007

Did the California Justice Dept. apostille it for you as well or is that something you had to take care of later? As for your criminal record showing up, it depends on what the offense was. I got arrested for a minor in possession of alcohol when I was 19 (on the Fourth of July of all days, ahh the irony) and it came up on my record check even though that was almost ten years ago, but they let it slide (ironically, that was on a police check from my local department - didn't even know you had to go through the State, at the time.) So don't give up hope, bro - you may still be able to get by. Although if that citation has anything to do with your name, it may be a bit tougher, since Koreans aren't so forgiving about anything remotely dealing with drugs. Hope it works out for you, though!

jamiemexi · Joined: 13 Feb 2010

Yeah the FBI background check is ridiculous. I think they fired people at that department or something. It takes 13+ weeks to get a background check. In California, you can get a live scan. It takes 2-3 business days. You can go to Apostillle Pros www.apostillepros.com

They have the machine to process the state background check. It takes about 2-3 business days. They can also obtain the apostille and have it certified translated. Not to mention send it to anywhere in the world. So it's very convenient, you don't have to go running around everywhere. They do have a notary on site and notary is complimentary (free).