Authentication
Korean Corporate Document Authentication (법인 서류 인증)
Korean companies doing business abroad regularly need their corporate documents authenticated — a corporate registry extract (법인등기부등본), articles of incorporation (정관), board resolutions (이사회 의사록), or a business license (사업자등록증). Some are government-issued and can be apostilled directly; others are private and must be notarized first. Find an agent on Seoul Apostille who determines each document's route, completes any notarization, and obtains the apostille or consular legalization for the destination country.
When This Service Is Relevant
- Opening an overseas branch, subsidiary, or bank account
- Signing international contracts, tenders, or distribution agreements
- Registering a trademark, patent, or entity with a foreign authority
- Due diligence, financing, or an M&A process involving a foreign party
- Appointing an overseas representative or signing on the company's behalf
What to Prepare
- The corporate documents needed (registry extract, articles, resolutions, license)
- Which are issued by a government registry vs. prepared internally
- The destination country and the receiving authority or counterparty
- Any company seal, signatory, or wording the receiving party requires
Process Notes
- A corporate registry extract (법인등기부등본) is government-issued and can be apostilled directly by MOFA.
- Articles, board minutes, and powers of attorney are private documents — they need notarization first, then a Ministry of Justice apostille.
- For non-Hague destinations, the route is consular legalization through the destination embassy instead of an apostille.
- Resolutions and signatory documents often need exact wording for the receiving party — confirm before notarizing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which corporate documents can be apostilled directly?
Government-issued ones such as the corporate registry extract (법인등기부등본). Internally prepared documents like articles of incorporation or board resolutions must be notarized first, after which the Ministry of Justice apostilles them.
Can you handle a full set for opening an overseas entity?
Yes. Your agent assesses the whole package, routes each document correctly, completes notarization where needed, and obtains the apostille or legalization so the set is ready for the foreign registry or bank.
What if the destination is not a Hague member?
Then the documents need consular legalization through that country's embassy in Korea rather than an apostille. Your agent manages the full chain, including any required translation.
Do corporate documents need translation?
Usually yes, into the destination language or English. Your agent provides certified translation as part of the same request so the documents are submission-ready.
Related Documents
Need This Document Authenticated?
Share your document and the requesting authority. We'll connect you with an agent who coordinates authentication and any required follow-on steps.