Apostille & Document Legalization — FAQ

An apostille is a certificate from Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) that authenticates a Korean document for use in another Hague Convention member country — 129 countries in total. It replaces the older embassy legalization process for those countries.

Common examples include birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas and transcripts, criminal background checks, powers of attorney, family register records, and corporate registration documents.

Documents for non-Hague countries go through embassy or consular legalization instead of an apostille — a different, usually longer process involving that country's embassy in Korea.

An apostille only certifies that a document is authentic — it doesn't translate it. Most destination countries require a certified translation alongside the apostille, which Apostille First also covers.

Read the guide for your document and destination country, then contact us with the details. We connect you with a reviewed specialist who handles the apostille, translation, or legalization process directly.

Most services are handled remotely — your specialist submits documents to MOFA or the relevant authority on your behalf. Some steps, like notarizing certain documents, may require an in-person visit depending on the document.

Standard MOFA apostille processing is typically a few business days once documents are submitted, though this varies by document type and current processing volume.

Yes — every guide on Apostille First is free to read, with no account or subscription required to browse.

Pricing depends on the document, service, and destination country. Your specialist provides a quote before you commit to anything.

Find the guide for your document or destination country, or contact us directly and describe what you need — we'll point you to the right specialist.