If you need to use Korean documents abroad — for school, work, immigration, or other official purposes — chances are you’ll need an apostille. BNS (Boston Notary Service) offers expertise and support to help you through the process, from start to finish. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is an Apostille & Why It's Needed

• An apostille is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of the signature, seal, or stamp on an official document. It’s used when documents issued in one country are to be accepted in another, if both countries are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention.
• South Korea is a signatory.
• If your documents are to be used in Korea, or you are submitting Korea-issued documents elsewhere, they often must be apostilled to be accepted without additional legalization.

Which South Korean Documents Can Be Apostilled & By Whom

In South Korea, different authorities handle apostille depending on the type of document:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA): Handles administrative, governmental public documents.
• Ministry of Justice: Responsible for documents from courts, notarial acts, or legal certificates.

Examples of documents that can be apostilled in Korea include:

• Birth, marriage, death certificates issued by government agencies.
• Court documents, notarized documents, official certificates.

Documents that cannot be apostilled include some private or commercial documents not issued by public authorities (e.g. private contracts or invoices), depending on Korea’s rules. Always check in advance.

Steps to Apostille Korean Documents via BNS

Below is a typical workflow if you are using Boston Notary Service (BNS) to handle apostilles for Korean documents (or documents for use in Korea). Depending on your situation, some steps may differ.

Step What You Need to Do What BNS Helps With 1. Identify What Document You Have Make sure it’s one that can be apostilled (public, notarized or issued by government) and note which authority issued it. BNS can review your document(s) and advise whether they qualify for apostille. 2. Notarization (if needed) If the document isn’t already notarized and that’s required, get a Massachusetts (or relevant state) notary public to sign it. BNS offers notarization services (including mobile notary) in MA. 3. Submit for Apostille with the State Authority For documents issued in Massachusetts: submit them to MA Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Commissions section. BNS handles the submission, follow-ups, and ensures the required forms/seals are in place. 4. Translation (if needed) If the receiving authority (in Korea or elsewhere) requires documents in Korean (or another language), you may need certified translation. BNS can help or refer you to translation services. 5. Timing & Expedited Options Standard processing takes a few business days (3-5 days or more depending on volume). If you need it quickly, BNS can offer expedited or same-day options in some cases. BNS will help you choose the service level and plan for shipping or pickup. 6. Receiving Your Apostilled Documents Once processed, you’ll get the original apostilled document. It may be mailed or picked up, depending on BNS choice. BNS handles delivery, secure shipping, or in-person pickup.

What You Should Prepare Before Using BNS

To make the process smooth and avoid delays, you should:

1. Check document condition: Original or certified copy, with visible official seals/stamps.
2. Notary commission etc.: If notarized, ensure the notary is valid, commission numbers etc. are accurate.
3. Translation readiness: If translation is required, have translator credentials and sample format ready.
4. Proper identification: Passport or government ID may be required.
5. Timeline & urgency: Plan ahead—if you have deadlines, allow enough buffer for unexpected delays.

Costs & Time Estimates

While exact cost depends on several factors (document type, fast-service, translation, shipping), here are ballpark figures based on BNS and Massachusetts state fees:

• Massachusetts Apostille state fee: often small (approx. US$6 to $12 per document) for standard cases.
• BNS Service & Notarization fees: additional, depending on how urgent or involved. Expedited service or mobile notary may cost more.
• Processing time: Standard could be ~3-5 business days after all paperwork is ready; expedited or same-day possible in certain cases.

Common Pitfalls & Tips

• Wrong issuing authority: If your document needs apostille by Ministry of Justice vs MOFA in Korea, verifying that is crucial.
• Notarization errors: Any mistakes in notary signature, seal, or commission data can lead to delays or rejection.
• Translations: Not all authorities accept translated documents; some require certified/official translations.
• Deadline issues: If you wait until last minute, even expedited services might not be enough.
• Shipping risks: When documents are mailed internationally, consider using tracked, secure services.

Why Choose BNS

• Local, licensed notary and apostille service with many years of experience in Massachusetts.
• They handle both notary and apostille steps, which simplifies the process.
• Expedited service options, mobile notary for convenience.
• Transparent fees and support through the process.

Bottom Line

If you need to get Korean documents apostilled (or documents from the U.S. for use in Korea), Boston Notary Service can help you navigate the legal requirements, submit correctly, and get valid apostilles efficiently. Planning ahead, preparing your documents properly, and choosing the right service level will make a big difference.