Preparing Foreign Public Documents for Korea — Translation, Apostille, Consular Confirmation

Overview

In applications requiring proof of family relations — F-1, F-3, F-6 and the like — the most common request for supplementation concerns the formal requirements for foreign public documents.

The manual requires all three: a translator's certification must be attached; an apostille is needed for convention states; and consular confirmation by the Korean mission is needed for non-member states.

At a Glance

Scope of Activity

• Preparing home-country public documents to prove family relations
• Meeting the formal requirements for foreign-issued documents filed with status grant or change applications

Who Qualifies

• Applicants for the grant or change of F-3 dependent status
• Applicants for F-1 status
• Applicants for F-6 and other statuses requiring proof of family relations
• Applicants for work statuses who must file degree or career certificates issued abroad

Required Documents

• Original birth certificate from the home country (public documentation is mandatory)
• Korean birth certificate where the child was born in Korea
• Family relation certificate or other proof of parentage from the home country
• Original marriage certificate from the home country (for spouses)
• For China: resident ID card, marriage certificate, hukou, etc.
• Translator's certification plus an apostille (convention states) or consular confirmation (non-member states)

Application Process

1. Check eligibility — confirm your current status, career, degree and contract type match the requirements.
2. Prepare documents — foreign public documents need a translator's certification plus an apostille (or consular confirmation for non-member states).
3. Book a visit — reserve a slot at your Immigration Office via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), or file online where e-Application is available.
4. File and pay — submit the Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34) and pay the screening fee.
5. Review — respond to any request for supplementary documents within the deadline.
6. Result — on approval, the period of stay and status are granted; reissue your ARC if required.

Key Points

• Home-country public documents must in principle be filed in the original, and proof must be by public documentation.
• Apostille convention membership differs by country, so check whether the issuing country is a party before obtaining documents.
• For non-member states, consular confirmation by the Korean embassy or consulate general is required, usually after confirmation by the issuing country's foreign ministry.
• The translator's certification is always required, regardless of convention membership.
• Documents issued in Korea must normally be dated within 3 months unless another validity period applies.
• Documents already on file in your alien registration record need not be resubmitted.
• Health certificates, drug test results and pre-employment medical reports must be submitted sealed by the issuing hospital (do not open).
• You must be in Korea when applying; leaving the country after filing may result in refusal.
• Screening fees are non-refundable once the application is accepted.
• The head of the Immigration Office may add or waive documents where necessary for review.

Frequently Asked Questions

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