Korean Job Discussion Forums

Douglas B · Joined: 06 Jul 2009

FYI - I called my university registrar. They accept a scanned or digital photo of my original diploma (which I have here with me). I inserted the jpeg file into a Power Point slide and emailed it to them. They printed it out. They notarized and authenticated it in their offices. They mailed it to my parents' house. My parents Fed Ex-ed it to the State Secretary of State where my university is (Virginia). The State Secretary of State apostilled the document and Fed Ex-ed (prepaid) it back to my parents' house. My parents Fed Ex-ed the copy of the diploma (notarized and authenticated by my university) and the original VA Secretary of State apostille page to me here in Korea. Total time from day 1 was 24 days.

I am currently having the FBI check sent to Washington for US Secretary of State apostille. I'll post when that's done.

Good luck!

sallymonster · Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Location: Seattle area

FYI, not all universities notarize degrees. Glad it worked out for you though!

marsavalanche · Joined: 27 Aug 2010 Location: where pretty lies perish

Congrats... you spent more time doing this than if your parents just did it themselves in your home country.

I guess OP doesn't realize in terms of teaching in Korea he doesn't need his original on him anymore.

You could have done that in less than half the time if your parents did it for you (it's quite easy).

sallymonster · Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Location: Seattle area

marsavalanche · Joined: 27 Aug 2010 Location: where pretty lies perish

sallymonster · Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Location: Seattle area

millyfrend · Joined: 29 Apr 2010

marsavalanche is correct and not correct. If you have a degree from NY you can have it apostille in California.

Most people go to other state strictly for school. For instance, if you're from California and want to go to Harvard just for school, then you go back to California. The government is not going to make you fly back to Massachusetts just to get an apostille. Doesn't make any sense. UPDATED But, ACTUALLY, some states do make it difficult. There are some states that won't apostille degrees from other states, (AL) is a weird state that won't do it. For instance, if you have a degree from California, AL/Oregon won't apostille it. But if you have a degree from AL, California will apostille it. But as long as you have the apostille on the documents, Korea Immigration will accept it as they're just looking for the apostille.

As for the guy doing the apostille from Korea. Did he say 24 days? That sounds like a long time for an apostille and pricey back and forth for FedEx.

If you're in Korea,
1. Send to a family or friend to do it.
2. Send to an apostille agency. They get it done the same day and send the apostille to you in Korea. www.apostillepros.com
1 day for the apostille, 3-4 days for FedEx International shipping with tracking to South Korea. Total of 4-5 business days. The also expedited the FBI background check as well. You don't have to bother your friends or family. You use an agency if you need it in a rush and to meet deadlines.

[quote="marsavalanche"][quote="sallymonster"]

clewis · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Location: Anyang, South Korea

Contact the state. I contacted AZ (where I got my diploma) and WA (where I live) and both said I could get it apostilled in the state I got the notary done in, but I had to get both done in the same state. But I had a friend in AL (I think it was) that was told she had to get it all done in the state the degree was in.

Again, it seems to be state dependent and only takes a few seconds to email your state department and ask. Both states got back to me in a day when I contacted them.

millyfrend · Joined: 29 Apr 2010

You can ask the state, but why? The person you should ask is the requesting agency which is Korean Immigration/Recruiter/Employer. But we all know Korean Immigration can't be reach or hard to.

You need to always ask your requesting agency, "what do you need for me to get a Visa?" Or ask the employer, "what do you need for me to teach there." Basically, provide what Korean Immigration need and everything should be okay.

I'm sure Korea immigration have seen a lot of people that have gotten their degree apostille from different states. Plus, a lot of people on the forum said that you can get a degree apostille from different states and Korea doesn't have a problem giving you your Visa or the school/recruiter said it is fine.

So for instance, your friend got a degree in AL. She goes to Florida to get the apostille. Florida does the apostille. The only thing that matter now is Korea Immigration accepting the apostille, which they should because it's an apostille, that's what they were looking for in the first place.

clewis · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Location: Anyang, South Korea

millyfrend · Joined: 29 Apr 2010

Gotcha. Yeah there are some states that won't apostille degrees from other states, (AL) is a weird state that won't do it. For instance, if you have a degree from California, AL/Oregon won't apostille it. But if you have a degree from AL, California will apostille it.

If you have that problem, then what you have to do is find a state that will - California is pretty lenient. Once, you do, you won't have a problem with Korean Immigration as they just want an apostille on the documents.

Thanks for pointing that out Clewis and Sallymonster. Smile