South Korea Apostille for Indian Students, Professionals and Couples
Scholarship applicants, engineers on Korean work visas and couples registering a marriage in Seoul all need the same thing from India: a South Korea apostille from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The state education or home department, a notary and SDM, or a Chamber of Commerce authenticates the document first. Korean offices usually ask for a Korean translation after that.
By the INFINITYGRO documentation teamUpdated Facts checked against MEA and HCCH
Documents from India for South Korea
Does the Korean Embassy need to see my documents? Not for legalization. India and South Korea both apply the Apostille Convention, so a South Korea apostille from the MEA completes the Indian side. Korean universities, immigration offices and district offices then typically ask for a Korean translation, sometimes notarised or with a translator's declaration. English documents are accepted by some universities at the application stage.
Scholarships and University Admission
Indian students applying for Korean university places or government scholarships are often asked to submit apostilled degrees and transcripts. Programmes commonly allow either an Apostille or a confirmation from the Korean Embassy, and the Apostille is usually simpler from India.
Deadlines for Korean intakes are fixed. Start the Apostille well before the application window closes, because the state education department step varies by state and university. Our degree certificate apostille page lists the documents each type of university needs.
Key facts
| Route | MEA Apostille; no embassy legalization |
|---|---|
| Before the MEA | State education or home department, notary and SDM, or Chamber of Commerce |
| MEA fee | Rs 50 per Apostille |
| Language | Korean; some universities accept English |
| Common uses | GKS and university admission, E-7 work visas, marriage registration, business |
| Embassy role | None for apostilled papers |
Work Visas for Engineers and Specialists
Indian engineers, researchers and IT specialists hired by Korean companies often enter on professional work visas. Employers and immigration usually want proof of the degree, and sometimes of experience. An apostilled degree with all transcripts covers the legal part.
Some applicants are also asked for a police clearance certificate. A PCC apostille follows a different authentication path, so tell us early if you need one.
Registering a Marriage in Korea
An Indian marrying a Korean citizen usually registers the marriage at a Korean district office. That office asks the foreign partner for documents proving identity, birth and marital status, apostilled and translated into Korean. The exact list changes by office, so get it in writing.
Typical Indian papers are a birth certificate and a single status affidavit, or a marriage certificate if the marriage took place in India. Each needs a separate South Korea apostille.
The South Korea Apostille Process
- Authentication by the state education department, home or GAD department, notary and SDM, or a Chamber of Commerce, by document type.
- Apostille at the MEA through its authorised centre.
- Korean translation, after the Apostille, in the form the Korean office accepts.
We can arrange Korean translation in India where it is accepted.
Company Papers for Korean Partners
Korean buyers and partners of Indian firms sometimes ask for apostilled company papers: certificate of incorporation, board resolution, power of attorney, or product certificates. These go to a Chamber of Commerce and then the MEA. Keep the company name exactly as it appears on the certificate of incorporation.
Korean Translation in Practice
Korean government offices generally want a Korean translation attached to each foreign document. Depending on the office, the translation may need a translator's signed statement, a notarisation in Korea, or confirmation at the Korean Embassy. Universities are often more relaxed and accept English documents at the application stage, then ask for translations at enrolment.
Translate the apostilled version so that the Apostille text is covered. Keep the translator's name and contact on file, as some offices ask for it. If your Korean partner or employer has a preferred translator in Korea, it is often simplest to send the apostilled originals to them.
Planning Several Documents at Once
Korean files rarely need just one paper. A student may need a degree, transcripts and a bank letter. A married couple may need birth, marriage and family papers for both partners. Send the full set to us in one courier. We can then run each document through the right state department at the same time and return everything together, which saves on courier costs and keeps the file consistent.
What to Send and What to Avoid
- Original degree and all transcripts
- Birth certificate or affidavit for marriage files
- Passport copy
- The Korean office's document list, if you have it
Avoid laminated certificates, provisional degrees where a final one exists, and translations made before the Apostille. We quote per document in writing before you send.
Document guides for South Korea
The same route applies to most documents; each guide covers what to send and the common mistakes.
What the stamps look like
Click any sample to enlarge. Personal details are masked.
South Korea FAQs
Does South Korea accept the Indian Apostille?
Yes. Both countries apply the convention, so a South Korea apostille from the MEA is the final Indian step.
Do I need Korean translation?
Usually yes for government offices. Some universities accept English documents at the application stage.
Can I use an Apostille instead of Korean Embassy confirmation for a scholarship?
Many programmes accept either. Check your programme's guidelines.
Can you apostille a single status affidavit for marriage in Korea?
Yes, after notary and state authentication.
How much does the MEA charge?
Rs 50 per Apostille. We quote our total per document in writing before you send anything.
Do you accept documents from all states?
Yes. Courier them to our Delhi office; we return them by tracked courier.
Other Apostille countries
AlgeriaApostille
ArgentinaApostille
AustraliaApostille
AustriaApostille
BahrainApostille
BangladeshApostille
BelgiumApostille
BoliviaApostille
No country matches. Call us: we handle most embassies in New Delhi.
Apostille MEA Apostille is the final stepEmbassy legalization MEA attestation, then the embassy in New DelhiGerman verification verified through the German Embassy
Sending documents to South Korea?
WhatsApp a photo of the document and tell us its use. We reply with the route and a written quote.