Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kardisa]

I received an email from the US Department of State the other day stating: "Your authentication request was received on 02/14/2011 by the Office of Authentication at the US Department of State."

I know that several people have complained about their DoS Apostilles taking way longer than normal, so my questions are thus:

1. If your DoS Apostille has taken more than the stated 15 business days, did you also receive this email?

2. How long from the receipt of this email did it take for you you to receive your completed Apostille?

[Riker]

I received no email ever from them, but my tracking confirms they received my package on January 27th. Mine is over 15 days, and I included a priority self addressed envelope for the return.

My best guess for you is the 14th plus at least 20 days, so say early March sometime. Its a complete guess based on my experience. If you didn't include a self addressed return envelope add a week on top of that.

I would suggest sending it to the nearest state that does apostilles, if you have an extra copy.

[emmahearst]

15 days is stated on the website means 15 business days (don't include Saturday and Sunday), but it's never guarantee. When you receive the email it only means they received it. It depends on how busy they are at the time. Expect one more email, saying it is "closed". Meaning they processed it, but it takes roughly 3-5 more business days to get to you after that "closed" email (FedEx or non FedEx).

I believe this time of year, potential South Korean teachers will not be happy. This is DOS busy season. These are the months that they get docs from private sectors and public sectors. Summer time it takes almost 1 1/2 months for processing, also this time of year they will not answer any emails or telephone like before. In Nov-Jan, people submitting docs there get it early, but not anymore.

That's why there are apostille service that expedited this process, but you have to pay them. It's like any service. For instance, with a passport you can have the gov. passport agency do it in 2 weeks or 6 weeks, but if you want to rush it, there are agency that will get it to you in 48 hour. A lot of people pay just to start teaching or have to meet deadlines. Also, there are other ways to have the Korean Immigration accept your FBI background check, it doesn't have to be process through DOS.

But if you don't have money, you just have to wait and be patient. Try complaining to the gov.

[Riker]

This is strange, I never received an email, nor has a few people I talked with that received theirs already.

I emailed them 2 times already and never got a reply.

[kardisa]

[emmahearst]

No one will know how long it takes now. It's their busy season. The only way you will know now is when you receive the "closed" email. After that, it takes about 3-5 more business days. If you don't receive an email, it probably went into your spam email. Also, they don't send these emails to everyone, they are very inconsistent. It's the government going broke. What do you expect?

U.S. Mail say it takes 2-3 days for priority mail. It takes like 7 days. Passport say it takes 2-6 weeks, sometimes it takes 8-12 weeks.

[Riker]

I realize why I didn't get email confirmations, because I didn't give them my email. I used their standard cover letter on their website, and it has no spot for email address. ( that's not by accident I'm sure)

No big deal, but they should at least respond to email inquiries. And there is no reason it should take this long, not to mention that this should all be offered at one institution.

[raindrop]

The DOS office is really bad with emails. I sent them two inquiries a few weeks apart and never received a response from them. There's really no way to contact them since they don't post a telephone number where you can reach an operator and they don't respond to emails.

I sent my document via FedEx with a priority mail return envelope and received it back a full one month later. They are really slow, but luckily I have received all the documents I need and can finish up the visa process soon.

[M_Lisette]

I sent them my FBI CRC for apostille on Jan 24th via Priority... and still nothing. No email, no phone call... and the payment hasn't cleared either. I suspect the contract I have that starts March 2nd will fall thru because of this. Is there any hope?
I have tried calling my state representatives office... they have left messages for the DoS, but likewise have heard nothing... I'm beginning to feel that they are a black hole.
Was wondering, if I had one of my friends (who live in DC) go to their office in person, do you think they could get it back for me?

[f22rahman]

Kardisa, Riker, M_Lisette did you receive your apostilles yet? I hope so since your posts are from February and this is now May. I ask because I'm in the same boat: I mailed my FBI CRC on April 5, 2011 to the U.S. Dept of State for the apostille and it still hasn't come in yet. I've received no email confirmations and my payment still hasn't cleared. Plus, email and phone services are disabled. So my question is, how long did it take for your apostille to come in from the time you've mailed the FBI CRC to the U.S. Dept of State?

[f22rahman]

Nevermind, it came back today.

For future reference regarding those that may face similar issues:

I mailed the FBI CRC on April 5, 2011 and the apostille came today on May 5, 2011 (exactly one month). I used regular postage, not priority mail. My payment still hasn't cleared yet so an uncashed check can't really be used as an indication of when the apostille will arrive.