Apostille for South Korea · California Documents
Apostille for South Korea from California
South Korea has been a Hague Convention member since 2007 — a California apostille is accepted for marriage visas, overseas Korean filings, and civil registration.
Documents we apostille for South Korea
Birth certificate
Required for F-4 overseas Korean visa applications and Korean family register documentation.
Marriage certificate
Apostilled for F-6 marriage migrant visa and Korean civil registration of international marriages.
FBI background check
Federal route via U.S. Dept of State — not California SOS. Required for some Korean long-term visa categories.
Diploma & transcripts
For employment visa applications (E-series) and academic credential recognition at Korean institutions.
Power of attorney
Notarized in California, apostilled for property or legal matters before Korean authorities.
Divorce decree
Apostilled for prior-marriage documentation in Korean civil registration or visa applications.
How the South Korea apostille works
- Document check ($45, credited). We verify your document is California-issued, correctly certified, and South Korea-ready before any Secretary of State fee is paid.
- Sacramento filing. Couriered to the California Secretary of State — mail-in or same-day in person depending on your timeline.
- South Korea routing. The Apostille Convention entered into force for South Korea on 14 July 2007. California apostilles are accepted by Korean Immigration Service, courts, and civil registration offices.
- Returned tracked. Apostilled document returned by tracked carrier with status updates throughout.
South Korea apostille — FAQ
Does South Korea accept California apostilles?
Yes. South Korea has been a Hague Convention member since 2007 and accepts apostilles from any other member, including the California Secretary of State.
Do I need apostilled documents for an F-6 marriage migrant visa to Korea?
Typically yes — apostilled California marriage certificate, FBI check (federal route), and birth certificate. Korean translation of each document is also required.
What is the F-4 overseas Korean visa?
F-4 is a long-term visa for U.S. citizens of Korean descent. Apostilled supporting documentation of Korean parentage may be required. Eligibility set by the Korean Ministry of Justice.
Can the California SOS apostille an FBI background check for a Korean visa?
No. FBI documents are federal records authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. We prepare California documents and advise on the federal route.
Status and requirements for South Korea verified against the HCCH Apostille Section status table (hcch.net) as of 2026-06-19. Not legal advice.
Related routes & tools
Document Check — $45
Credited 100% to your apostille service.
Pricing & state fees
$20 + $6 SOS fees and service ranges.
How it works
The full California apostille process.
Processing times
Direct from SOS published timelines.
Same-day filing
In-person Sacramento counter.
Apostille by mail
When timing is flexible.
Sacramento SOS counter
Address, hours, payment, walk-in.
Which documents qualify
Eligible California document types.
Birth certificate
Most common citizenship document.
Marriage certificate
For spousal and civil filings.
Diploma & transcripts
Credential recognition abroad.
Power of attorney
Property and legal matters abroad.
Federal / FBI route
U.S. Dept of State authentication.
Non-Hague legalization
Consular route when apostille won’t work.
All countries
Destination routing hub.
Apostille guide
The full pillar overview.
Talk to a specialist
Phone, email, form.