About South Korea Apostille

South Korea Apostille and Document Legalization Services by
Hague Apostille Services

South Korea became a member of the Hague Apostille Convention on October 25, 2006, and the treaty officially took effect on July 14, 2007. Thanks to this agreement, documents certified with an apostille—a standardized form of authentication—are legally recognized in over 120 countries, eliminating the need for consular legalization.

What is an Apostille?

An apostille certifies the authenticity of a public document, such as:
✔ Birth, marriage, and death certificates
✔ Court rulings and legal judgments
✔ Notarial acts and business documents

This certification verifies the signature and authority of the official who issued the document, ensuring its validity abroad.

When is Consular Legalization Required?

If a document is intended for use in a country that is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, additional consular legalization is necessary to ensure international acceptance.

South Korea Apostille Sample

Apostille Authorities in the South Korea

In South Korea, the issuance of apostille certificates is managed by two government agencies:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) – Handles administrative documents issued by government offices and state agencies. Generally, no additional notarization is required for these documents.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) – Oversees the legalization of judicial documents, including court rulings, tribunal decisions, notarial acts, and official certificates.

Before issuing an apostille, the authorities meticulously verify signatures, seals, and stamps against official records. Once authenticity is confirmed, an apostille certificate is affixed to the document.

Features of a South Korean Apostille

The apostille is a square-shaped certificate printed in Korean or English.
It prominently features the title “Apostille” and a reference to the 1961 Hague Convention in French (Convention de La Haye du 5 octobre 1961).
The minimum size of a South Korean apostille is 9 cm per side.

With an apostille, South Korean documents gain legal validity in over 120 Hague Convention member countries, eliminating the need for additional consular legalization.