Title
Apostille Korea handles embassy legalisation of death certificates for migrant workers When a foreign worker dies in Korea, the death certificate must be translated and notarised, then cleared by the foreign ministry or legalised at the relevant embassy before the administrative steps can move forward.
- Related countries
- 스위스
Content
Apostille Korea said it handles the issuance and legalisation of the documents required for the administrative and funeral procedures that follow the death of a foreign worker in Korea. When a registered foreign national dies, the death must be reported to the immigration authorities, and the death certificate has to be legalised by the embassy of the deceased's country. Because institutions at home and abroad and a bereaved family overseas are all involved, the process runs longer than it does for a Korean national.
- With more than two million foreign nationals staying in Korea, deaths of migrant workers in the country have also increased.
- The death of a registered foreign national must be reported to the immigration authorities, together with the original alien registration card and proof of death.
- The death certificate must be translated and notarised, then cleared by the foreign ministry or legalised at the embassy of the relevant country.
- Apostille Korea carries out this issuance and legalisation process on behalf of the bereaved family.
Documents required to report a migrant worker's death
When a foreign national who was lawfully staying in Korea dies, the first step is to report the death to the immigration authorities. The report requires the deceased's original alien registration card. Documents proving the fact of death, such as a death certificate or a post-mortem examination report, must be submitted with it. If someone other than a family member files the report, the representative's identification is also required. Documents establishing the family relationship with the deceased have to be prepared as well. If any single item is missing, the report is delayed and every step that follows is pushed back with it.
Where legalisation of the death certificate stalls
A death certificate issued in Korea cannot be used abroad as it is; it must be legalised by the embassy of the deceased's country. That requires the document to be translated into the language of that country and notarised first. Once notarisation is complete, the document goes through verification at the foreign ministry or is taken to the relevant embassy for legalisation. Throughout the process, facts have to be confirmed continuously with the family abroad and with domestic administrative offices. Anyone starting without a clear understanding of the sequence will struggle even to identify which stage the case is stuck at. Cases arise in which delayed legalisation leaves funeral arrangements postponed indefinitely.
Frequently asked questions
Can a death certificate issued in Korea be submitted to the home country as it is?
No. It must be translated and notarised, then cleared by the foreign ministry or legalised at the relevant embassy. Without legalisation, institutions in the home country will not accept the document.
Which documents are needed to report the death of a foreign national?
The deceased's original alien registration card, proof of death such as a death certificate or post-mortem examination report, the representative's identification, and documents establishing the family relationship with the deceased.
Can the procedure go ahead while the family is overseas?
Yes. It simply takes longer, because documents and facts must be confirmed continuously between the family abroad and administrative offices in Korea. Apostille Korea carries out that confirmation and legalisation work on their behalf.
Source: 데일리시큐 · 2017-08-03