Apostille
Korean Birth Certificate Apostille (기본증명서) — How to Get Your Certificate Apostilled | Seoul Apostille
A Korean birth certificate — issued as the 기본증명서 (basic certificate) from the family relations registry — must carry an apostille stamp from the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) before a foreign government will accept it. The apostille is a one-page certificate attached to your document that confirms the issuing authority's seal is genuine. Your chosen agent obtains a fresh certificate, secures the MOFA apostille, and returns a submission-ready original.
When This Service Is Relevant
- Registering a child's birth or citizenship with a foreign government or consulate
- Applying for a dependent or family-reunion visa abroad
- Claiming foreign benefits, inheritance, or pension that require proof of birth
- Enrolling in school or a national health system in a Hague Convention country
- Establishing proof of identity or parentage for a foreign court or registry
What to Prepare
- Original 기본증명서 (basic certificate) — 상세 (detailed) version, issued within the last 3 months
- The document subject's passport copy (and a parent's, for a minor)
- Destination country and the receiving authority's name
- Submission deadline, if any — MOFA apostille processing typically takes 3–5 business days
Process Notes
- An apostille only certifies the document is authentic — it is NOT a translation. Most foreign authorities also require a certified translation alongside the apostilled original.
- The 상세증명서 (detailed) type is required by most foreign authorities; the 일반 (standard) type is frequently rejected.
- The apostille must be issued AFTER the certificate is issued — an old certificate may be refused if the dates are too far apart.
- Korea joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2007; for non-member countries, consular legalization is required instead of an apostille.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an apostille and a translation?
An apostille is a stamp from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming your Korean document is genuine. It does not translate the content. Most foreign authorities require both the apostille AND a certified translation, which your agent can arrange together.
Which Korean document is the 'birth certificate'?
Korea does not issue a standalone birth certificate. The equivalent is the 기본증명서 (basic certificate) from the family relations registry, which shows date and place of birth. The detailed (상세) version is recommended.
How long does the apostille take?
Standard MOFA apostille processing is 3–5 business days. Rush handling is available for urgent filings — share your deadline with your agent when you place the request.
Can I use a birth certificate I already have?
Most foreign authorities require a certificate issued within the last 3–6 months. If yours is older, your agent can obtain a fresh copy quickly before applying the apostille.
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Need This Document Apostilled?
Share your document and destination country. We'll connect you with an agent who handles issuance, the MOFA apostille stamp, and delivery — certified translation can be added too.