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Apostille First Guide
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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