Koreans and residents coming from the United States for long-term stay, certain visas or employment are required to submit a US FBI criminal record check (the FBI Identity History Summary, or "FBI Check"). Because it is a US-issued document, it must be apostilled in the United States and translated for Korean submission. Apostille Korea handles all of this online without travel.
- Long-term entrants from the US to Korea often must submit a US FBI criminal record check (FBI Check).
- As a US-issued document, the FBI Check is apostilled in the United States, a Hague Convention member.
- Apostille Korea obtains the FBI Check, its US apostille and a certified Korean translation remotely.
- Applicants avoid travel by completing issuance, apostille and translation entirely online.
Why the FBI Check is required
Korean immigration and certain employers ask long-term entrants from the United States to prove they have no disqualifying criminal history. The standard document for this is the FBI Identity History Summary, commonly called the FBI Check, issued by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation based on fingerprint records. It applies to many visa categories, residence changes and professional licensing situations where a national-level US background check is mandatory. Because the FBI is a US federal agency, only the United States can authenticate the certificate, and Korean authorities will expect a properly apostilled copy accompanied by a translation. Apostille Korea notes that applicants frequently underestimate the lead time and the fingerprinting and channeling steps involved, which can delay a visa or start date if not planned correctly from the outset.
Obtaining and apostilling it remotely
Because the FBI Check is issued in the United States, its authentication must also happen there: the United States is a Hague Apostille Convention member, so the certificate receives a US apostille rather than Korean consular legalization. Apostille Korea coordinates the full chain remotely — helping obtain the FBI Identity History Summary, securing the US apostille, and producing a certified Korean translation ready for submission to immigration or an employer. The applicant does not need to fly to the United States or visit offices in person; the process is handled online and non-face-to-face. This is especially valuable for Korean residents already back in Korea who discover, often late, that their US record must be authenticated abroad. Careful sequencing of issuance, apostille and translation keeps the submission valid.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is the FBI Check?
It is the FBI Identity History Summary, a US federal criminal record check based on fingerprints. Korean immigration and some employers require it from long-term entrants arriving from the United States.
Where is the FBI Check apostilled?
In the United States. Because it is a US-issued federal document and the US is a Hague Convention member, it receives a US apostille, not Korean consular legalization. Apostille Korea arranges this remotely.
Do I need to travel to the US to get it?
No. Apostille Korea helps obtain the FBI Check, its US apostille and a certified Korean translation entirely online, so you can complete everything without traveling to the United States.
Source: 파이낸스투데이 · 2020-04-17