The concept of Consular Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To obtain Consular Legalization, it is essential to prepare the documents in accordance with the requirements of the issuing agency and the intended purpose of the document. Documents issued by public institutions must undergo Consular Authentication procedures after being issued by the relevant institution. Additional procedures may be required depending on the requirements of the country to which they are submitted.
Countries requiring Consular Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Our services are available in the following countries:
The countries we serve include the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, Sudan, Algeria, and Libya.
Consulate Approval by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea is essential for submitting and authenticating documents at overseas missions in Korea. Due to the fundamental policy of overseas missions in Korea, only documents that have been authenticated within the Republic of Korea are processed. Only documents that have undergone consular legalization will be officially recognized.
Difference between Apostille and Consular Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Apostille is a system that streamlines the validation of documents between contracting countries, eliminating the need for additional Consular Validation. Conversely, Consular Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a mandatory procedure for documents originating from non-member countries of the agreement. Furthermore, the document must be certified by the respective country’s embassy to ensure its validity.
- Global Applications: This international system streamlines the authentication of public documents for countries participating in the Apostille Convention.
- Authentication Procedure: Documents that have received an Apostille certification can be used immediately between signatory countries without any additional certification. In other words, the contracting countries acknowledge legal validity solely with an Apostille document.
- Our Agency: In South Korea, apostilles are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Justice. In other countries, designated agencies are responsible for issuing them.
- Global Applications: Consular Legalization is utilized internationally for the submission of various official documents, including academic records, marriage certificates, and legal documents, to contracting countries.
- Global Applications: Utilized for countries that are not signatories to the Apostille Convention.
- Authentication Procedure: Once Consular Legalization is obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the document must be further authenticated by the embassy or consulate of the relevant country to ensure its legal validity. In other words, a two-step authentication process is necessary.
- Responsible Agency: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea oversees Authentication by the Consulate, after which documents are authenticated by the relevant country's embassy or consulate in Korea.
- Global Applications: In countries that are not signatories to the Apostille Convention, official documents will be recognized only after undergoing Consulate Certification by a consular officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Types of documents requiring Consular Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Documents requiring Consular Legalization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be processed to gain international validity in various contexts. Documents required by overseas organizations for purposes such as studying abroad, international marriage, overseas employment, and legal procedures must undergo Consulate Certification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure credibility. The authenticity and legitimacy of a document are confirmed through Consular Validation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, enabling it to be recognized as legally valid by governments and agencies worldwide.
Our range of documents typically encompasses academic records, family and marriage certificates, commercial and corporate papers, medical and health records, legal documents, as well as visas and immigration paperwork.
· Graduation certificate, certificate of attendance, transcript, degree certificate, school records, admission permit, academic records, school recommendation letter, tuition payment certificate, degree conferment certificate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral degree certificate, bachelor's/master's/doctoral dissertation abstract, recommendation letter, overseas study experience certificate, high school records
· Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Family Register Copy, Birth Certificate, Resident Registration Copy, Parental Rights Waiver
For companies expanding internationally or engaging in commercial activities with foreign nations, such as establishing overseas branches, conducting business transactions, or certifying contracts, obtaining an Apostille or Consular Legalization for commercial and corporate documents is essential.
· Business registration certificate, copy of company registration, articles of incorporation, minutes of board of directors meeting, shareholder register, corporate seal certificate, corporate representative certificate, overseas business contract, partnership agreement, export/import contract, legal contract, stock ownership certificate, financial statement, audit report, minutes of general shareholders meeting, trademark registration certificate, patent application, commercial invoice
· Vaccination certificate, health checkup certificate, medical examination confirmation, doctor's opinion, hospital treatment record, doctor's license, pharmacist's license, documents issued by medical institutions, birth certificate, organ donation consent form, medical consent form, medical report, physical examination results, health insurance related documents
Documents related to legal proceedings can be given legal effect abroad through Apostille or Consular Legalization. These documents are essential for various legal scenarios, including international litigation, cross-border transactions, and overseas settlements.
· Notarized documents, court decisions, litigation-related documents, divorce decisions, inheritance decisions, complaints, legal advice, agreements, powers of attorney, witness statements, court attendance certificates, writs of execution, arrest warrants, detention warrants, wills, inheritance consent forms, criminal record certificates
Ensuring Consular Legalization of visa and immigration documents is crucial for a range of immigration-related processes, including overseas employment, permanent residency applications, and visa issuance. To secure a visa from a foreign government agency, it is essential to demonstrate the authenticity of your documents.
· Resume, personal statement, career certification, employment verification, retirement documentation, business registration certificate, employment contract, permit certification, qualification certificate, driver's license
Consular Legalization Process by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
01
Submission and Evaluation of Documents
Upon receiving the documents you wish to have certified, we will meticulously review the format and requirements of each document. We will assess the requirements for original documents or copies and provide guidance on any additional procedures if notarization is necessary.
02
Notarization (if required)
Certain documents may need notarization before undergoing Consular Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our team will proactively assess if your documents necessitate notarization and ensure swift and precise processing if needed.
03
Application for Consulate Authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Once the documents are ready, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in person to apply for Consulate Approval. By choosing our agency, you ensure a thorough pre-submission document review, eliminating the risk of missing documents and ensuring a seamless process.
04
Consular Legalization (if required)
Once Consular Legalization is completed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, further authentication may be necessary from the respective country's embassy in Korea. In this case, we will also handle the Consular Authentication of your document on your behalf.
05
Complete the notarization process and secure your documents.
Upon completion of all procedures, we will ensure the secure delivery of the certified documents to you. We ensure timely processing tailored to your schedule and can handle urgent requests when necessary.
Trust the experts for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Legalization!
Address verified through Consular Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Our company's address and contact details
Address: TRABIC, 11th floor of 1158-1, 117 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Contact: 02-2652-2645
Location and Key Information of the Overseas Koreans Office Integrated Civil Service Center
Address: 15th Floor, Building A, Twin Tree Tower, 6 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03142
Responsibilities: Official documents issued by government agencies and local authorities, notarized documents, and apostilles provided by the Ministry of Justice, etc.
Guidance on required documents for Consular Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Official government-issued document (state or local authority)
- Identification Copy (e.g., Resident Registration Card, Passport)
- Power of Attorney (required when applying on behalf of another person)
- Other required documents (varies depending on overseas submission location)
Download application form
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Legalization Form
Sticker-type Consulate Authentication and online consular legalization forms are categorized into Apostille and Consular Validation issuance methods. They are utilized differently based on the purpose and method of document submission. Each form is a crucial procedure that guarantees the document’s reliability and credibility, with variations based on the issuance method.
Sticker-type consular legalization form
Sticker-type Consular Legalization is an apostille form primarily issued during an on-site visit. To ensure authenticity and prevent forgery or falsification, this sticker is affixed to both the front and back of the document. It guarantees the public validity of the official document, ensuring it is trusted by foreign institutions. Upon requesting a notarization of translation, a sticker-type form will be issued without exception.
Online Consular Legalization Form
The online Consular Legalization form is exclusively available for printing for select official documents. This document can be conveniently issued without the need for an on-site visit; however, the range of documents available for issuance is limited. Please be advised that certified translation documents are required to be issued in sticker format.
Additional Resources and References: Consular Legalization Services by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Please refer to the materials below for comprehensive information and procedures related to our Apostille agency services.
Consular Legalization Guide from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea: For more detailed information on how to apply for Consular Legalization and the procedures, please visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention: To view the list of countries that are part of the Apostille Convention, please visit the Hague Convention website. Discover the list of countries where the Apostille is applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Consular Legalization Services by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consular Legalization is a procedure to verify the legitimacy of official or notarized documents issued in Korea so that they can be effective abroad. This is primarily required in countries that are not signatories to the Apostille Convention.
Documents that require Consular Legalization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs include birth certificates, marriage certificates, business registration certificates, academic records, and court rulings. These documents may be mandatory when used abroad.
Apostille is a procedure that recognizes the legality of documents between member countries of the convention. In contrast, Consular Legalization is required for documents submitted to non-member countries of the Apostille Convention and involves an additional verification process through foreign embassies in Korea.
To apply, you will need the application form, the original document, a copy of your ID, and a power of attorney if necessary. Certain documents may require notarization first, and the submission of the original may be mandatory.
When you submit documents to the agency, the agency obtains Consular Legalization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If necessary, the documents are sent to the respective country's embassy in Korea for final authentication. This process may vary depending on the country.
Consular Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs typically takes 1-2 days, but the entire process, including embassy authentication, can take anywhere from a few days to up to two weeks, depending on the document and the country.
No, individuals can apply directly by visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but it is more efficient to process through an agency to avoid issues related to missing documents or complex procedures.
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