Title
Apostille Korea handles criminal record certificates for Koreans living abroad Tighter identity verification has made the certificate a standard requirement for employment and immigration, yet obtaining it from overseas remains difficult.
Content
Apostille Korea said it has built a service for Koreans living abroad who need a criminal record certificate issued in Korea. The document requires an accredited digital certificate or an appointed proxy, followed by country-specific authentication, which makes it hard to arrange from overseas. Apostille Korea said it supports the process from issuance through authentication.
- Since April 2012 the justice ministry has required a criminal record certificate from every foreign national applying for permanent residency.
- The certificate is divided into a criminal record report and an investigation record report, with the option to include expired sentences.
- Online issuance requires installing security modules and registering an accredited digital certificate.
- Applicants abroad must prove overseas residence, appoint a proxy and, depending on the country, obtain foreign ministry authentication, an apostille or consular legalisation.
Why the document has grown in importance
As international attention to identity verification has grown sharply, governments and companies alike now ask for proof regarding criminal records. Since April 2012 the justice ministry has required every foreign national applying for permanent residency to submit a criminal record certificate, and companies routinely ask for one during hiring. The document is also required in administrative procedures abroad, such as employment and immigration. A criminal record certificate sets out the applicant's own record and may include expired sentences, so as a rule it is used only for personal verification. Disclosure is possible only for reasons prescribed by law and within the minimum scope needed for the stated purpose. It is divided into a criminal record report and an investigation record report, the applicant can choose whether expired sentences are included, and online and proxy issuance have recently become available.
Why issuance is difficult from overseas
Because the document carries sensitive personal information, obtaining it is not straightforward. Online issuance requires installing various security modules and related programmes and registering an accredited digital certificate. Applicants who cannot obtain such a certificate, or who cannot work with the required web environment, have to apply in person. Residents in Korea are expected to apply themselves, while those staying abroad may appoint a proxy to act for them. That route requires documents proving overseas residence along with the appointment of the proxy, and after issuance the certificate may still need foreign ministry authentication, an apostille or consular legalisation depending on the destination country. Even with a proxy, the applicant must accept that a document containing sensitive personal data is handled where they cannot easily oversee it, which is why many Koreans abroad still return home to obtain it. Apostille Korea said it built its overseas issuance service to reduce that burden and advised using a specialist office given the sensitivity of the document.
Frequently asked questions
Can the certificate be obtained while living abroad?
Yes, through documents proving overseas residence and the appointment of a proxy. Depending on the country, foreign ministry authentication, an apostille or consular legalisation may also be needed.
Is online issuance available to everyone?
It requires installing security modules and related programmes and registering an accredited digital certificate. Applicants who cannot meet those conditions must apply in person.
Which type should be requested?
The document is divided into a criminal record report and an investigation record report, and expired sentences may be included or excluded. Check the format required by the receiving institution first.
Source: 폴리뉴스 · 2017-03-31