Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Depths of My Soul]

Hi everyone. I've decided to apply for EPIK (before it's too late).

I'm a bit confused as to the criminal background check they require (I searched a bit on the net and found some conflicting information).

Anyway, there's seems to be several different levels of check (and hence several different prices). Can anyone (hopefully someone from the UK, who has already been through the process and been teaching in Korea) tell me which is the required level I need (and the cheapest place to get it done).

Secondly, I found a site called disclosure scotland whereby it may be possible to apply on-line thus saving me valuable time, but don't know if this is sufficient clearance.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Ps - Perhaps someone could let me know about the apostile process too, as after the criminal records check comes through I have to get that done. Initial research tells me that a solicitor is going to charge me a massive amount of money to do this.

[beNNN]

Check out http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=106360&start=45

[Welsh Canadian]

Basically what I've done is apply for a subject access check (takes up to 40 days). Send that and my degree to a Lawyer/Soc to get it notarised.

Then send it to the FCO or the foreign office or something like that

[Lex]

Hi! I just arrived here a week or so again so all this paperwork stuff is still pretty fresh in my mind. Just make sure you leave yourself enough time because I missed the initial deadline due to the Royal mail losing all my stuff - was a bit of a pain.

I got my CRC from Disclosure Scotland, and it seems to be the cheapest way to go (and yes, I am also from England). You just get the basic disclosure. Next you get the CRC and a true photocopy of your degree signed by a solicitor (they should do the true photocopy also). This is supposed to cos a fiver per document but it really depends on the solicitor - mine was really nice and charged me a fiver for both, but I know someone who got charged fifteen for each. You then send these off to the FCO which will cost you almost sixty quid including the return mail.

It was a pain for me because of the Royal Mail losing my documents over the christmas rush, but I think that it could be relatively pain free if you just give yourself enough time and have everything organised throughout.

Hope that helps!

[Depths of My Soul]

[gunners girl]

i'm copying and pasting most of this reply from what i wrote in the other uk background check thread:

well i ordered my basic disclosure from disclosure scotland a few weeks ago and it arrived in just over a week. i emailed them after i ordered it and told them i needed it for the fco so needed a notary to sign it as it says this on their website:

Disclosure Scotland cannot provide an Apostille. This can only be obtained from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), once a signature, seal or stamp on a document is checked against their database, which confirms that the document is authentic and genuine.

Disclosure Scotland can only form part of the Apostille process for the Basic disclosure. Disclosure Scotland can provide a Basic disclosure certificate, signed and stamped by an authorised signatory who is recognised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. There are currently 2 registered signatories at Disclosure Scotland.

i didn't get any response but when it arrived, it had an extra signature and stamp on it which must be the notary signature.

if you are in london, kidd rapinett does notarisation for �5 per document. i went there last week.

[Murakano]

just got mine from the local police station. As someone mentioned earlier it takes `upto 40 days` but I got mine in a week.

[Depths of My Soul]

[gunners girl]

[Lex]

I went to Punch Robinson. I just rang them up and said I needed my CRC and degree parchment to be signed so that I could get them legalised by the FCO. They booked an appointment for that afternoon, I went in during my lunchbreak and it took ten minutes. I don't think the solicitor really knew what she was doing which is why she only charged me a fiver for everything, but it came back from the FCO all legalised regardless.