Global Apostille Canada / Destinations / South Korea
South Korea: apostille and legalization from Canada
Apostille only · no embassy stage
Most files for South Korea belong to Canadians going to teach English. The visa needs two apostilled documents: the degree and a recent criminal record check. They are apostilled by different authorities, because a provincial university degree goes to its province while an RCMP check is federal and goes to Global Affairs Canada. South Korea is a party to the Apostille Convention, so there is no embassy stage after that.
The route your document takes
The Hague Apostille Convention applies to this destination (South Korea). A single apostille from the Canadian competent authority is enough, with no embassy stage.
- TranslationCertified translation into the language your destination requires. Depends on your document
- NotarizationA notary or commissioner certifies the copy, the signature or the translator's affidavit. Depends on your document
- ApostilleThe competent Canadian authority issues the apostille certificate. Always
- LegalizationEmbassy or consular stamp, for destinations outside the Hague Convention. Not required
This is a preliminary route, not a legal opinion. Convention membership and embassy requirements change; we confirm the exact chain for your file in writing before any work starts.
What people usually send
The documents we most often prepare for this destination. If yours is not here, it is almost certainly still something we handle.
- University degrees
- RCMP criminal record checks
- Transcripts
- Marriage and birth certificates
- Corporate documents
Worth knowing
The criminal record check usually has to be recent when the visa is filed, often within six months, so its timing matters more than the degree’s. Your school or recruiter will give the exact window; we plan the order around it.
Where is your document from?
The authority that issues the apostille depends on the province the document was issued in, not on where you live.
- Own apostille office
- Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan
- Every other province and territory
- Global Affairs Canada, Ottawa