Apostille First Guide
Korean Document Apostille for Immigration — Complete Checklist
Immigration applications are the most document-intensive situations Apostille First handles. A missing apostille, a wrong document type, or a rejected translation can delay a visa by months. This guide gives you a complete, country-specific checklist of which Korean documents need to be apostilled for the most common immigration destinations — and what to watch out for at each step.
The universal rule for immigration documents
For any country that is a Hague Apostille Convention member (which includes the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, and Japan), all Korean official documents submitted to immigration authorities must be apostilled by MOFA. This applies regardless of whether you submit the documents directly or through an immigration attorney.
United States (USCIS, NVC, US consulates)
Common document requirements for US immigration applications:
- 기본증명서 (Basic Certificate) — apostille + USCIS-compliant certified English translation. Required for virtually all immigrant visa categories.
- 가족관계증명서 (Family Relations Certificate) — apostille + certified translation. Proves family relationships for family-based immigrant visas.
- 혼인관계증명서 (Marriage Certificate) — apostille + certified translation. Required for spousal visas (IR-1, CR-1, K-1).
- 범죄·수사경력 회보서 (Combined Criminal & Investigation Records) — apostille + certified translation. Required for all immigrant visa categories.
- 성적증명서 / 학위증명서 (Transcript / Diploma) — apostille + certified translation. Required for EB-2 National Interest Waiver, certain employment-based categories.
- Note: USCIS does not have a maximum age limit on documents, but US consulates may request fresh copies (within 6–12 months) for in-person interviews.
Canada (IRCC — Express Entry, Family Sponsorship, PNP)
IRCC requires apostilled documents with certified translations (by a certified translator — Canada does not require a sworn translator of a specific national registry, but accuracy is critical):
- 기본증명서 — apostille + certified English or French translation
- 가족관계증명서 — apostille + certified translation
- 혼인관계증명서 — apostille + certified translation (if applicable)
- 범죄·수사경력 회보서 — apostille + certified translation. For Express Entry, IRCC sometimes accepts the RCMP-processed version, but Korean National Police Agency is also accepted.
- 학위증명서 + 성적증명서 — apostille + certified translation. Required for WES Canada credential evaluation (mandatory for Express Entry points calculation).
- Documents must generally be issued within 6 months of the application submission date.
Australia (Home Affairs — Skilled Migration, Partner Visa)
Australia's Department of Home Affairs requires NAATI-certified translations alongside apostilled Korean documents:
- 기본증명서 — apostille + NAATI-certified English translation
- 가족관계증명서 — apostille + NAATI-certified translation (partner and family visas)
- 혼인관계증명서 — apostille + NAATI-certified translation (partner visa subclasses 309/100, 820/801)
- 범죄·수사경력 회보서 — apostille + NAATI-certified translation. Required for all skilled migration and partner visa categories.
- 학위증명서 + 성적증명서 — apostille + NAATI-certified translation. Required for skills assessment by VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, AHPRA, and other assessing bodies.
Germany (Blue Card, Skilled Worker Visa, Family Reunification)
German authorities require vereidigte Übersetzer (sworn translator) German translations alongside MOFA apostilles:
- 기본증명서 — apostille + certified German translation (Standesamt, Ausländerbehörde)
- 가족관계증명서 — apostille + certified German translation (family reunification, Standesamt civil registration)
- 혼인관계증명서 — apostille + certified German translation (Standesamt marriage registration)
- 범죄·수사경력 회보서 — apostille + certified German translation (employment visa, Blue Card, some work permits)
- 학위증명서 + 성적증명서 — apostille + certified German translation (Blue Card applications, anabin credential recognition, German university applications)
UK (Skilled Worker Visa, Family Visa, Civil Registration)
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires certified English translations alongside apostilled Korean documents:
- 기본증명서 — apostille + certified English translation (civil registration, family visa)
- 가족관계증명서 — apostille + certified English translation (family reunification)
- 혼인관계증명서 — apostille + certified English translation (spouse/partner visa)
- 범죄·수사경력 회보서 — apostille + certified English translation (skilled worker visa, professional licensing with NMC/GMC)
- 학위증명서 + 성적증명서 — apostille + certified English translation (NARIC/Ecctis credential evaluation, NMC/GMC professional registration)
Japan (Work Visa, Residence Card, Marriage Registration)
Japanese authorities require certified Japanese translations alongside apostilled Korean documents. Japan has been a Hague Convention member since 1970:
- 기본증명서 — apostille + certified Japanese translation (marriage registration at Japanese city office, residence card)
- 가족관계증명서 — apostille + certified Japanese translation (marriage registration, family reunification)
- 범죄·수사경력 회보서 — apostille + certified Japanese translation (Highly Skilled Professional visa, some employment categories)
- 학위증명서 + 성적증명서 — apostille + certified Japanese translation (Highly Skilled Professional visa, engineering/humanities visa)
Plan ahead — standard immigration document timeline
Immigration document packages typically involve 3–6 documents across two categories (civil status + academic/criminal). Allow:
- Minimum 2 weeks from start to receiving apostilled + translated documents internationally — for straightforward packages
- 3–4 weeks for complex packages involving multiple document types or sworn translations (German/French/Spanish)
- If you are currently abroad, add 5–10 days for the power of attorney process before ordering begins
- Order criminal background checks as early as possible — they sometimes have additional processing steps
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate apostille for each copy of the same document?
Yes. The apostille is affixed to a specific physical document — it cannot be photocopied. If you need an apostilled document submitted to two separate authorities (e.g., USCIS and a state court), you need two separate apostilled originals.
My immigration attorney says I don't need an apostille, just a certified translation. Is that correct?
Some immigration attorneys simplify their instructions for clients and focus on the translation because that is what they work with. In practice, the underlying Korean document must be apostilled to authenticate it as a genuine government-issued document — especially for visa interviews and adjudication. We recommend apostilling all Korean source documents regardless of whether your attorney specifically requested it.
Can Apostille First handle the complete document package for my immigration application?
Yes. We coordinate the full package — obtaining each document from the relevant Korean authority, processing MOFA apostille, arranging certified translation in the required country's format (USCIS, vereidigte Übersetzer, NAATI, etc.), and couriering the complete package to you.
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