South Korea
Apostille in South Korea
At a glance
Who issues apostilles in South Korea, and what does it cost?
| Uses apostilles? | Uses apostilles1 |
|---|---|
| Member since | 1 |
| How it joined | Joined later (accession), 1 |
| Who issues apostilles | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, administrative documents2 Ministry of Justice, documents of courts, tribunals, public prosecutors and court clerks, notarial acts, and public or notarial authentications of signatures on privately signed documents2 National Court Administration, the documents it covers are not described on the HCCH page2 Overseas Koreans Agency (as of 16 May 2023), the documents it covers are not described on the HCCH page2 |
| Fee | ₩1,000 (per paper apostille)3checked 18 October 2026 No fee, according to the office (e-Apostille)3checked 18 October 2026 About €0.67 for the first fee listed, at the European Central Bank reference rate of 16 October 2026. Compare costs |
| Processing time | Not published by the office2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Electronic apostille | Available3 |
| What the receiving side decides | Whether it accepts the document: for example how recent it must be and whether it needs a translation. |
| Last checked |
Step by step
How to get an apostille in South Korea
For a certificate issued by a state body, take the original to the apostille counter of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; it may be issued in English and needs no translation or notarisation.4
For a certificate from a private body, first have it notarised at a recognised notary public office, with a certified English translation notarised as well if it is in Korean.4
Then take the notarised document to the apostille counter run by the Ministry of Justice.4
Contacts
Who to contact in South Korea
- Apostille officeMinistry of Foreign Affairs2Administrative documents
- Apostille officeMinistry of Justice2Documents of courts, tribunals, public prosecutors and court clerks, notarial acts, and public or notarial authentications of signatures on privately signed documents
- Apostille officeNational Court Administration2The documents it covers are not described on the HCCH page
- Apostille officeOverseas Koreans Agency (as of 16 May 2023)2The documents it covers are not described on the HCCH page
- The office that will receive your documentAsk it before you start what it needs: an apostille, a translation, or a document issued recently.
Common situations
Using a document from or in South Korea
A document issued in South Korea
The apostille comes from South Korea, from the office named above. It works in any other country where the Convention applies with South Korea.
Check where it can be usedA document for use in South Korea
Get the apostille in the country that issued the document, not in South Korea. South Korea accepts it if that country is also a member and the Convention applies between the two.
Check your countryBefore the apostille
Private documents
A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
Questions
Questions about apostilles in South Korea
Does South Korea accept apostilles?
Yes. South Korea has been a member of the Apostille Convention since 14 July 2007, so it issues and accepts apostilles for documents exchanged with other member countries.
Who issues apostilles in South Korea?
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (administrative documents), Ministry of Justice (documents of courts, tribunals, public prosecutors and court clerks, notarial acts, and public or notarial authentications of signatures on privately signed documents), National Court Administration (the documents it covers are not described on the HCCH page) and Overseas Koreans Agency (as of 16 May 2023) (the documents it covers are not described on the HCCH page).
How much does an apostille cost in South Korea?
₩1,000 (per paper apostille). No fee, according to the office (e-Apostille). Fees can change, so check the office’s own page before you apply.
How long does an apostille take in South Korea?
The office does not publish a processing time (checked 18 October 2026).
Do I need to notarise a private document first?
Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public. The apostille is then added to the notary’s certificate, not to the private document itself.
Is an apostille valid in countries that are not Convention members?
No. An apostille only works in other member countries. Countries outside the Convention use a different process, usually called legalisation. The office that receives your document decides what it accepts.
Sources and verification
Sources
- HCCH status table: Apostille Convention (1961)
- Republic of Korea - Competent Authorities (Art. 6)
- Republic of Korea - Apostille Questionnaire 2021
- 3.7 How to get Korean documents apostilled
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Checked by our team against the sources above
- Next review
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