Title
Apostille Korea handles criminal record certificates from more than 30 countries A criminal record certificate is issued only in the country concerned and each country follows its own procedure, which makes it hard for anyone who has lived in several places to manage alone.
- Related countries
- 한국, 미국
Content
Apostille Korea said it handles the issuance and legalisation of criminal record certificates in more than 30 countries. Employers, immigration authorities, permanent residency applications and visa processes increasingly ask for a certificate from every country where the applicant stayed beyond a set period. The steps that follow issuance, namely notarisation, confirmation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy legalisation, are handled as well.
- A criminal record certificate confirms whether an applicant has a criminal history and is used in visa, employment and immigration screening.
- Common examples are the Korean criminal investigation record reply, the FBI Check, the Chinese non-criminal record certificate, the Philippine NBI Clearance, the Canadian RCMP certificate, the Australian AFP check and the British ACRO check.
- Issuance is possible only in the country itself and can take more than three months depending on the jurisdiction.
- To be used internationally the certificate must also pass through notarisation, confirmation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy legalisation.
Live in several countries and the procedure multiplies
Multinational recruiters and immigration reviewers often ask for a criminal record certificate from every country where the applicant stayed beyond a set period. The United States Embassy in Seoul states the requirement openly on its website, and requests are also rising in permanent residency applications, visa processing and overseas employment. The difficulty is that the certificate can only be issued in the country that holds the record. Application methods and supporting papers differ from one country to the next, and processing runs from a few days to more than three months. For an applicant who has lived long term in four countries, that means visiting all four within a fixed deadline. Even after issuance, notarisation, confirmation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy legalisation remain, which makes meeting a deadline alone difficult.
Requirements for proxy issuance and the handling of personal data
Issuance through a proxy is allowed only within narrow limits. The applicant must supply evidence of an unavoidable circumstance such as illness, hospitalisation or residence abroad, in the form of a medical certificate or admission record, together with a power of attorney, a copy of the applicant identification document and the proxy own identification. The sensitivity of the data in a criminal record certificate is another reason the requirements are strict. If the document leaks, it can lead to exposure or misuse of personal information. Apostille Korea said it manages that risk through regular internal audits, keeping the number of staff who handle personal data to a minimum, and technical and physical safeguards including encryption. Working through an established process allows issuance, notarisation, apostille and embassy legalisation to be carried out as one continuous flow.
Frequently asked questions
Which country certificate do I need to prepare?
It depends on the requirements of the receiving body, but certificates are usually requested from every country where you stayed beyond a set period. If that covers several countries, you will need a separate certificate for each.
Can I obtain a foreign criminal record certificate while I am in Korea?
Issuance itself only happens at the authority in that country, but the local application and collection can be delegated. Required papers and processing times vary by country, so check in advance.
Can I submit the certificate as soon as it is issued?
For international use it normally also needs notarisation, confirmation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and legalisation by the embassy of the receiving country. Confirm what the receiving body requires first.
Source: 오토데일리 · 2019-06-05