Korean Job Discussion Forums

[think_balance]

Hello,

I currently teach English in Japan and want to apply for work on Korea. I see that I need to get my diplomas notarized and apostilled.

Assuming my university doesn't offer notarized copies of my diploma, is there anyway for me to do this while living abroad?

Thank you.

[SteveSteve]

Hey,

My wife was in your situation a few years ago. Long story short, we were already in Korea, and she wanted to switch jobs, which required a whole new set of visa documents.

Not sure if your university offers notarized copies (mine and hers don't), so the best thing to do is have a friend or family member back in your home country do everything for you. Tell them where the original diploma is, have them get a copy, have them sign a notarial statement in front of a Notary Public, something to the effect of "I, ______, attest that this document is a true certified copy of ________'s BA degree from XYZ University." The notary should also sign a standard statement acknowledging that your friend's signature was witnessed, and they should also provide a signature, date, and raised seal.

After that, you have to send it to your state's Secretary of State Office for the apostille, which authenticates that the notary public who signed your document is real and on the books. Doesn't have to be the same state where you went to school, just has to be the same state where the notary is commissioned to serve. Each Sec. of State office is different, but most of them require that you mail in your notarized documents with an application form, payment of $10-20, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you have a very good friend who lives near the Sec. of State Office, it's possible for them to walk in and get the apostille in a few minutes.

You also need to get an FBI criminal background check, and this takes at least 5 weeks to get, and maybe up to 8 weeks. This also needs an apostille, but it can only be authenticated by the US government. You have to send your FBI check to the Office of Authentications in Dulles, VA.

Hope this helps!