Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gbm75]

I'm trying to sort out the steps of getting an apostille for my degree.

I thought you get a notarized copy from the registrar at your school and then send it to the secretary of state.

However, I talked to them (state department) and they said I would have to take it to the county clerk and have it notarized (after getting it notarized by the school) and then mail it to the state department for the apostille.

Does this seem right? How many different people need to notarize and authenticate this thing?

What the state department said coincides with the information from the US embassy, so I'd say that's authoritative.

However, I read the other thread on getting an apostille for your degree from Korea and it didn't seem like anyone had to take it to a county clerk. Does it vary from state to state? Is the county clerk a superfluous step?

[Sujini25]

Hello

You have to have it notarized by the county clerk, the apostille will verify that signature, they won't do it if you don't have the notary.

I am in New York and when I just went there with the document, he said it wasn't ready and I had to go to the county clerk and have it notarized then I had it apostillized.

[jrwhite82]

In Maryland, I had my degree notarized by a notary at the bank, then it has to be "county certified" by the county clerk. Then it can be apostilled by the state.

But here is the catch. Make sure that the notary and the county clerk are from the same county!!!! If the notary was certified in a different county, the clerk will not certify it! And if they do, and you bring it to the state, they might notice and not apostille it.

Hope this helps.

[gbm75]

Thanks, those were both helpful answers!

[nathanrutledge]

What?!? Why would you have to go to the country clerk?

The registrar at your school should be a public notary, or there should be one there to handle that stuff. You should get a copy, the notary should notarize it with a statement that says "this is a true copy of a diploma awarded to --- from --- university, presented to me on this date. SIGN"

You then take that to the Secretary of State's office who gives you the apostille.

I've had a dozen different things apostilled before, and every time, that's what was required. Police check was notarized by the state police notary, then apostilled at the SOS office. University registrar notarized it, apostilled at the state. Sure, it may vary from state to state, but I've never heard of anyone having to go to the county clerk.

[jrwhite82]

Well in the State of Maryland, the Secretary of State requires that it be county certified before they apostille it. Thats why you should get it certified. Duh!

Each state is different. It sounds like he checked with his state's Secretary of State office. They asked him to get it county certified. So.....

[jrwhite82]

Some states require both a notarization and a county certification before they apostille education documents. Its not really two notaries. The county certification is different.

[margaretmary]

[SandyG21]

I live in a tiny town in the midwest - I have called every office in my county - NO ONE in the government notarizies documents - they acted like I am nuts for my request! I called office after office and they are clueless!

[Ramen]

Actually, you need god's seal of approval.

[gbm75]

Sandyg21 have you tried just doing a google search for your state + apostille? That's what I did and it took me right to a site with all the details. Although I still had questions and had to call them anyway.

[runthegauntlet]

My state requires a county clerk signature certifying the notary. The notary must be done in the same county. THEN, the Sec. of State will give the apostille.

[SandyG21]

GBM - I have contacted my state apostille office - I must have a county clerk - in my county notarize - unfortunately - despite numerous phone calls and visits to my county court house - they are clueless in my tiny town about this - it is absurd! Yes I know about notaries at banks - but it supposed to be a government official - not a bank. I wish I had a transcript of the conversations I have had with my government officials in my county - obviously clueless about the world government - they think we are at war with S. Korea!

[millyfrend]

Sandy21 What state are you in? Do you have family members in other states, just have them or an agency do it, so you won't get a gray hair. Seems like you're going through some trouble in your county.

Some counties do require county clerk and some county clerk won't do degrees. It all depends on the county and state. Every county and state have different rules. But just get an apostille in a different state if it's too difficult in your state. All U.S. states falls under the hague convention so they are all accepted in South Korea. It should be, if someone in South Korea tell you otherwise, they are not following the hague convention rule.

trixied Joined: 26 Sep 2009
Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 7:52 pm
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here's a company a friend and i used to get our degrees apostilled. mailed out tuesday, back in korea the following monday. costs a bit but saves a headache.

http://www.apostillepros.com/

[SandyG21]

I am living in the USA - and I don't think a person can send documents to other states other than the one they live in. You have to show drivers license and ID to prove who you are and where you live.

In addition I contacted the apostille Secretary of State in my state - I have confirmation from him by several emails that my county clerks and all county clerks in my state DO NOT notarize documents - and only the Secretary of State office in my state does authentication and apostilling.

They state that they have confirmed this information with the S. Korean consulate nearest my state.

However this is not what the consulate is telling me by email.

The Secretary of State in my state is being rather firm on this - and acts like I am making up stories about the new requirements.

Obviously there is no way I can change my whole states rules.

Also I don't believe going to another state will work - since as I stated your documents have to be notarized in person - showing id.

The Secretary of State in my state says that a bank notary is a government official - by proxy.

I can't afford in time and money to have any more delays or problems with all of this.