Use Case Guide
Korean Documents for Business Setup Abroad
Setting up a company branch, subsidiary, or representative office abroad requires apostilled Korean corporate documents. Whether you're registering at Germany's Handelsregister, the UK's Companies House, ASIC in Australia, or a US state Secretary of State, the Korean corporate documentation package is the foundation of your international expansion.
What documents you need
- Apostilled 법인등기부등본 (Corporate Registry Certificate) — the core document required by all foreign commercial registries
- Apostilled 정관 (Articles of Incorporation) — required by many foreign registries for subsidiary or branch registration
- Apostilled power of attorney (위임장, notarized by a Korean notary before apostille) — required to authorize a local representative to act for the Korean company
- Certified translation of all corporate documents into the destination country's official language
- Country-specific requirements: Germany requires vereidigte Übersetzer, France requires traduction assermentée, Australia requires NAATI-certified translation
- Corporate resolutions authorizing the overseas expansion may be required by foreign notaries
Timeline
Korean corporate document apostille typically takes 1–2 weeks (document issuance from the Court Registry + MOFA apostille + translation). The foreign registration process itself varies significantly by country and structure.
Tips & common mistakes to avoid
The 법인등기부등본 should be the 'current' version (현재 사항 증명) for most purposes — some foreign registries additionally require the 'full history' version (말소 사항 포함)
German Handelsregister requires specific corporate authorization — have your German Notar review the power of attorney requirements before drafting
Power of attorney must be notarized by a Korean notary (공증인) before MOFA apostille — unnotarized documents cannot be apostilled
The 정관 (articles of incorporation) typically needs both apostille and translation — check if the destination registry requires a notarized translation
For US subsidiary setup, each state has different foreign entity registration requirements — confirm your specific state's requirements before ordering documents
Document guides for business setup abroad
Step-by-step apostille instructions for each document in your package.
Related services
Frequently Asked Questions
What Korean corporate documents do I need apostilled to register a subsidiary in Germany?
The German Handelsregister typically requires the apostilled 법인등기부등본, apostilled 정관, and an apostilled + certified German-translated power of attorney. The power of attorney must be notarized by a Korean notary before apostille. Your German Notar (notary) will specify the exact requirements.
Does a Korean power of attorney need to be notarized before apostille?
Yes. A Korean power of attorney must be notarized by a Korean notary (공증인) before MOFA will apostille it. The apostille certifies the notary's official seal — not the document directly. This is a critical step that many first-time applicants miss.
How long does it take to get Korean corporate documents apostilled for overseas business registration?
The 법인등기부등본 can be issued same-day through the online Court Registry system. Power of attorney drafting and notarization takes 1–3 business days. MOFA apostille takes 3–5 business days (standard) or 1–2 business days (express). Translation adds 2–4 business days. Total: approximately 1–2 weeks.
Can I apostille Korean corporate documents if the company directors have changed recently?
Yes. The 법인등기부등본 reflects the current registered state of the company, including recent director changes. For foreign registration purposes, you want the most current version showing the current corporate structure.
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