Korean Job Discussion Forums

[peterxn73]

I had my diploma copied and attached a page from a notary public w/stamp. Sent the copy with attachment to the DOS for certification. They returned it to me with a note saying the following:

"The document must be certified for foreign use by the secretary of state or commonwealth for each state in which the document is being executed."


I graduated from university in Florida. I currently live in Austin. They sent me the address for Texas. Is that because I currently live in Texas? Should I be sending it to the sec state in Florida?

Am I understanding this right? I should send it to my sec state for certification, then send it to the DOS again?

Thanks in advance.

[young_clinton]

The question is, which state is your notary licensed in? Your notary is licensed in Texas therefore send it to Austin. Florida won't apostille a document notarized by someone licensed in Texas either.

[peterxn73]

Thanks, after I send it to Austin sec of state, and they stamp it then do I need to send it to the Dept. of State for their verification again? If so, why do we have to do this 'apostille' twice?

[Aine1979]

Did the DOS apostille your degree before they returned it to you, or did they return it without apostille?

You should only have to have one notary stamp and one apostille for your cert. if they've done that, you shouldn't need to send it anywhere.

[peterxn73]

Aine: They did not apostille the copy w/attached notary page with stamp and signature...


I went to my bank and had them make a copy of my degree, and they added a separate paper stapled with their notary stamp and signature. Then I sent it to the DOS for apostille (The copy). I guess that wasn't certified then?

They returned it to me and said: "We received your application request. Please follow the below instructions: The country of use is not specified. The country in which the docs are to be used must be stated. (okay, I understand maybe I didn't put down South Korea)...The document must be certified for foreign use by the Sec State or the Commonwealth for each state in which the document is being executed."


Then goes on to give me their mailing address and phone number, and the address and phone number of the Sec State in Texas.

I'll call them tomorrow, but I was just trying to understand it correctly...if I should have done something differently in regards to getting the degree photocopied and certified. Does a notary public not count for certified copies of a diploma?

[YujiKaido]

I tried to do that route before and they sent it back also. I ended up needing to have my university notarize it and then they sent it to state for apostille with a SASE for me. I initiated it over the phone and just sent them the form and jpg copy of my degree. Maybe check with your university.

[peterxn73]