Authentication of Documents for Export and Overseas Submission (Apostille and Consular Confirmation)

Procedure

Procedure type

Issuance Difficulty Low
A certificate, apostille or consular legalization is issued once the prescribed documents are submitted. With documents that meet the issuance criteria, it is usually processed quickly.

01
Check the recipient's requirements: First obtain from the importing country's authority or the buyer which authentication (apostille, consular confirmation or none) and which form they require. The other party's actual requirements take priority over the destination country's convention status.
02
Check convention membership: Check whether the destination country is a party to the Apostille Convention. China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Japan and others are apostille countries, while the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Malaysia and others require consular confirmation.
03
Classify the document and notarize: Distinguish whether it is a public document issued by a government office or a private document made by a company or individual. Private documents and translations must first be notarized at a notary office before an apostille or consular confirmation can be obtained.
04
Obtain an apostille or consular confirmation: For party countries, the process ends with an apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or the Ministry of Justice); for non-party countries, after consular confirmation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, authentication by that country's embassy in Korea is also obtained. Taiwan goes through authentication by the Taipei Mission in Korea.
05
Dispatch and schedule management: Send the authenticated originals to the destination country. Consular confirmation countries have more steps and take longer, so start by counting back from the shipping or bidding schedule.

Filing route

Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular services (apostille and consular confirmation) / the relevant embassy in Korea for non-party countries / notary office for prior notarization

Confirm the current filing office, jurisdiction, and online availability on the official website.

Official check

Actual processing agencyCompetent Korean authority or official service · Competent Korean authority or official service · Competent Korean authority or official service

Statutory and policy authorityCompetent Korean authority or official service

Online routeCompetent Korean authority or official service

Deadlines & processing notes

Check deadlines and next steps against the notice, filing date, and any request for additional documents.Official check

Fees & official charges

Administrative service fee

from KRW 200,000

All administrative service fees exclude 10% VAT.

Government fee / taxDepends on the filing type and competent authorityOfficial fee source

The fixed apostille service fee covers one simple original with any required prior notarization completed. The visit option includes two trips to Seoul: filing and collection on a later day. Official agency processing is within three days; same-day completion is not assumed. The postal option covers postal filing and return. Consular authentication is a separate option. Embassy legalization, translation, notary coordination and shipping expenses are separate. Included visits vary by service option. Additional visits and long-distance travel are quoted in advance.

Included in the basic fee — Initial document review, required-document guidance, basic form preparation, one filing support and responses to up to two supplement requests.

Displayed amounts are starting estimates, not statutory or standard rates. The final fee is confirmed after consultation and document review in the engagement agreement. Government fees and actual expenses may change.

Fees & official charges →

Basic documents

Basic documents0 / 6

Original documents to be authenticated (certificate of free sale, manufacturing certificate, sanitary certificate, letter of authorization, commercial documents, etc.)The importing country's or buyer's authentication requirements (required form and purpose)Translation (if required by the recipient)Notarization of private documents and translations (if necessary)Copy of the applicant's ID or corporate documentsLetter of authorization (when applying through an agent)

Even for the same country, requirements differ by document type and purpose, so obtain the buyer's required authentication type in writing before proceeding.

Scope of services

Hwang Yunsang Administrative Agent Office prepares and translates documents for administrative agencies, submits them on your behalf, and guides you through permit, application, and notification procedures. Services that require the principal’s personal appearance, principal’s application, or electronic signature may be limited in delegation.