Birth Certificate Apostille in Korea

A Korean birth certificate apostilled for the United States is one of the most frequently requested documents we process. It is required for US visa applications, USCIS immigration filings, dual citizenship documentation, K-1 fiancé visa packages, and enrollment in US schools or universities. The document must be apostilled by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) and accompanied by a certified English translation for all USCIS submissions.

Apostilling a Korean birth certificate for Germany is required for family reunification visas, registering a birth in Germany, civil status procedures at the Standesamt, and spousal visa applications at the German embassy. German authorities (Standesamt, Ausländerbehörde) require both an apostille from the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) and a certified German translation.

French authorities require apostilled Korean birth certificates for civil registration (état civil), spousal and family visas, university admissions (Campus France), and French nationality applications. The document must be apostilled by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) and accompanied by a traduction assermentée.

Korean birth certificates apostilled for the UK are required for UKVI visa applications, proof of identity for UK institutions, Ecctis credential verification, and civil registration in the UK. UKVI accepts Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) apostilles — the UK has been a Hague Apostille Convention party since 1965.

Canadian immigration (IRCC), provincial vital statistics offices, and professional licensing bodies require apostilled Korean birth certificates for permanent residence applications, citizenship, family sponsorship, and credential recognition. IRCC accepts Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) apostilles.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs, AHPRA, and skills assessment bodies require apostilled Korean birth certificates for visa applications, citizenship, and professional registration. NAATI-certified translation is required for Australian government submissions.

Japanese municipal offices (役所), courts, and immigration authorities require apostilled Korean birth certificates for civil registration, family register matters, and spousal visa applications. Korean birth certificates must be apostilled and accompanied by a certified Japanese translation.

Korean birth certificates apostilled for Spain are required for civil registration at the Registro Civil, family reunification visa applications, nationality procedures, and marriage registration in Spain. The document must be apostilled by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) and accompanied by a certified Spanish translation (traducción jurada).

Korean birth certificates apostilled for the Netherlands are required for residence permit applications to the IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst), marriage registration at the Dutch gemeente, civil registration, and nationality applications. The document must be apostilled by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) and translated into Dutch by a beëdigd vertaler.

Korean birth certificates apostilled for Italy are required for civil registration at the Comune, spousal and family visa applications at the Italian embassy, and citizenship by descent (cittadinanza) proceedings. The document must be apostilled by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) and translated into Italian by a certified translator and validated by the competent Italian authority.

Korean birth certificates apostilled for Singapore are used for ICA PR and citizenship applications, Registry of Marriages (ROM) civil registration, school enrollment, and dependent pass applications. Singapore joined the Hague Convention in 2021 (in force since September 2021) — Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) apostilles are accepted directly without embassy legalization.

Korean birth certificates for use in Vietnam now take a standard apostille. Viet Nam's accession to the Hague Apostille Convention entered into force on 11 September 2026, so an Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) apostille replaces the old OKA authentication plus Vietnamese Embassy legalization chain. This is used for EP work permit applications, FDI business registration, marriage to a Vietnamese national at a local People's Committee (UBND), and civil registration. Because the change is recent, confirm with the Vietnamese receiving authority whether it also needs a certified Vietnamese translation or other formalities.

Korean birth certificates for use in Thailand require embassy legalization. The document must be authenticated by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA), then legalized by the Thai Embassy in Seoul, and accompanied by a certified Thai translation. Common uses include marriage registration at a Thai Amphur (district office), retirement and LTR visa applications, and civil registration in Thailand. Thailand has acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention, but it only enters into force on 2027-02-28; until then OKA authentication plus Thai Embassy legalization applies.

Korean birth certificates for use in India take a standard Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) apostille. India is a Hague Apostille Convention party, so the old OKA authentication plus Indian Embassy attestation chain is not the normal route. This is used for Indian work visa applications, OCI card applications, academic and professional use, marriage to an Indian national, and inheritance proceedings. Translation requirements and any extra local formalities are decided by the receiving authority, so confirm with it.

Korean birth certificates apostilled for Belgium are required for civil registration at a Belgian commune (état civil / burgerlijke stand), Single Permit and EU Blue Card applications, Belgian citizenship proceedings, and family reunification. Belgium is a Hague Convention member, so Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) apostille is sufficient — no Belgian Embassy legalization is needed. Translations must be into French (Wallonia), Dutch (Flanders), or German (eastern cantons) depending on the receiving authority.

Korean birth certificates apostilled for Austria are required for marriage registration at the Standesamt, Red-White-Red Card (RWR) applications, Austrian citizenship proceedings, and family visa applications. Austria is a Hague Convention member since 1988, so Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) apostille is sufficient. All translations must be into German.

Korean birth certificates apostilled for Switzerland are required for marriage registration at the Zivilstandsamt, B and L permit applications, and Swiss citizenship proceedings. Switzerland has been a Hague Convention member since 1972, so Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) apostille is sufficient. Translation must be into the official language of the canton where documents are submitted — German, French, or Italian.

Korean birth certificates apostilled for Portugal are required for D7 Passive Income Visa and D8 Digital Nomad Visa applications, AIMA residence permit registration, conservatória marriage registration, and Portuguese citizenship. Portugal has been a Hague Convention member since 1968. All translations must be certified Portuguese translations.

Korean birth certificates apostilled for Poland are required for marriage registration at the Polish USC (Urząd Stanu Cywilnego), temporary residence permit applications at the voivodeship office, and Polish citizenship proceedings. Poland joined the Hague Convention in 2005. All translations must be performed by a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły) registered with the Polish Ministry of Justice.

Korean birth certificates for use in the UAE require Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) authentication followed by UAE Embassy in Seoul legalization — not an apostille. The UAE is not a Hague Apostille Convention party; confirm current status in the HCCH table. This is required for employment visa applications, Golden Visa sponsorship, civil registration, and DED/Free Zone company setup. Arabic translation is added if required by the receiving authority.

Korean birth certificates for use in mainland China take a standard Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) apostille. China is a Hague Apostille Convention party, so the old OKA authentication plus Chinese Embassy/Consulate legalization (领事认证) chain is not the normal route. This is used for Z work visa applications, WFOE/JV business registration with SAMR (State Administration for Market Regulation), marriage registration at a civil affairs bureau (民政局), X student visa, and property registration. Translation requirements and any extra local formalities are decided by the receiving authority, so confirm with it.

Korean birth certificates apostilled for New Zealand are required for AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) applications, Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) applications, Straight to Residence visa, student visas, and civil registration. New Zealand is a Hague Convention member. The document must be apostilled by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) and accompanied by a certified English translation.

Korean birth certificates apostilled for Hong Kong are required for employment visa applications, Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) applications, Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), Top Talent Pass (TTPS), university admission, and civil registration. The Hague Apostille Convention applies in Hong Kong, a separate jurisdiction from mainland China. The document must be apostilled by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) and accompanied by a certified Traditional Chinese translation.