Apostille First Guide

What Is a Certified Translation of a Korean Document?

6 min read

An apostille authenticates the source document. A certified translation makes it readable to the foreign authority receiving it. Almost every country that accepts apostilled Korean documents also requires a certified translation — but the specific type of certification required varies widely by country. Submitting the wrong type of certified translation is one of the most common reasons Korean document packages get rejected. This guide explains what each major destination country requires.

What makes a translation 'certified'

A certified translation is not just a professional translation — it comes with a formal certification statement from the translator (or translation company) attesting that the translation is accurate and complete, and that the translator is competent in both languages. The exact form of this certification, and who is qualified to provide it, differs by country.

United States — USCIS-compliant certified translation

USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) and US courts accept certified translations from any competent individual — they do not require a sworn or officially registered translator. However, the translation must include a signed certification statement by the translator stating that they are competent in both languages and that the translation is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge.

No government registration of the translator required
Certification statement must be signed by the translator (or the agency's authorized signatory)
USCIS does not require notarization of translations — but some US state courts may
The certification must accompany every translated document as a cover letter or footer

Germany — vereidigte Übersetzer (sworn translator)

German authorities — Ausländerbehörde, Standesamt, courts, and most employers — require translations by a vereidigte Übersetzer (sworn translator), officially accredited by a German state court (Landgericht). Standard certified translations, even from professional translation agencies, are not accepted.

Translator must be officially accredited (vereidigt) by a German Landgericht
Translators are registered by state — accreditation in one German state is generally recognized across Germany
The certified translation typically bears a stamp and signature of the sworn translator
Apostille First connects clients with Korean-German vereidigte Übersetzer who produce translations accepted by all German authorities

France — traducteur assermenté

French authorities require translations by a traducteur assermenté — a translator accredited by a French Court of Appeal (Cour d'appel). Similar to Germany, standard certified translations are not accepted by préfectures, tribunaux, or French consulates.

Translator must be registered on the list of expert translators attached to a French Cour d'appel
The translation bears the official stamp and signature of the traducteur assermenté
Required for submissions to French préfectures, mairies, Campus France, and civil registration

Spain — traducción jurada

Spanish authorities require a traducción jurada — a sworn translation by a translator officially certified by Spain's Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). These translators are officially registered and their translations carry legal weight equivalent to a notarial act.

Translator must appear on the official list published by Spain's Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores
Translation bears the translator's official seal and signature
Required for Registro Civil, Oficina de Extranjería, notarías, and all official Spanish authority submissions

Netherlands — beëdigd vertaler

Dutch authorities (IND, gemeente, courts) require translations by a beëdigd vertaler — a sworn translator registered in the Dutch Rbtv register (Register beëdigde tolken en vertalers). Only Rbtv-registered translators produce translations accepted by Dutch government bodies.

Translator must be registered in the Rbtv (rbtv.nl)
Required for IND residence permits, gemeente civil registration, and Dutch courts
Rbtv registration can be verified by the receiving authority online

Italy — traduzione asseverata

Italian authorities require a traduzione asseverata — a translation where the translator swears an oath before an Italian notaio (notary) or court (tribunale) that the translation is accurate. The asseverazione (oath) is part of the document itself.

Translator swears the asseverazione oath before an Italian notaio or at a tribunale
Required for Comune, Questura, and Italian court submissions
For Italian university admissions, a dichiarazione di valore from the Italian consulate in Seoul is also required

Australia — NAATI-certified translator

Australia's Department of Home Affairs and NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) require translations by a NAATI-certified translator for immigration and official government submissions. NAATI certification is Australia's national standard.

Translator must hold NAATI certification — specifically Certified Translator level or above
Required for Department of Home Affairs (DIBP) visa and migration applications
NAATI-certified translators stamp the translation with their NAATI number and credential level

Japan — certified translation standard

Japanese authorities do not have a single national registry of certified translators equivalent to Germany or France. However, certified translations are expected to be produced by competent professional translators with a certification statement. For immigration (Ministry of Justice) submissions, accuracy and completeness are the primary requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I translate my own Korean documents?

USCIS technically allows self-translation if you are fluent in both languages and provide the required certification statement — but this is not recommended for immigration documents where errors have consequences. For Germany, France, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, and Australia, self-translation is not accepted regardless of your fluency.

Does the translation need to be notarized?

This depends on the country. Most countries require a sworn or accredited translator (which carries legal weight equivalent to notarization) rather than a notarized translation. The US is the notable exception where notarization of translations is sometimes requested by state courts. For most immigration and civil registration submissions, an accredited certified translation is sufficient — Apostille First specialists confirm the exact requirement for your case.

Can the same translator handle multiple document types?

Yes. If a translator is accredited in the required country (e.g., a Korean-German vereidigte Übersetzer), they can translate your birth certificate, diploma, and criminal background check — all certified with the same accreditation. Our specialists coordinate multiple documents with a single accredited translator to save time and cost.