Does the embassy need to stamp it?
Representative: 채지헌 (Chae Ji-heon) · Biz. Reg. 220-06-06463
The final step for countries outside the Apostille Convention — legalization at the destination country's embassy in Seoul, after Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmation.
Non-Apostille Countries, Listed by ContinentRegistered Admin. Office
Filings made as your authorized agent
Korean · English · Japanese
Consultation and certified translation
Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Office on Yeoksam-ro
Foreigner Document Specialist
Apostille, visa, translation, incorporation
If a document is going to a country that is not in the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille won't be accepted. The document has to be confirmed by the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and then legalized by that country's own embassy in Seoul — the embassy's stamp is what makes the document valid back home.
The order matters
- Certified translation and/or notarization — if the document is private, or the embassy wants it in another language
- MOFA confirmation (영사확인) — the Korean government vouches for the signature or seal
- Embassy legalization — the destination country's embassy in Seoul adds its own legalization
Embassies commonly reject a document when a step is missing or out of order. The full chain is explained on our consular legalization page; this page covers the embassy step and which countries need it.
Countries that need embassy legalization
Asia
Thailand · Taiwan · Malaysia · Myanmar · Cambodia · Laos · Sri Lanka · Nepal · Turkmenistan · Afghanistan
Middle East
UAE · Qatar · Kuwait · Jordan · Iraq · Lebanon · Iran · Syria · Yemen · Palestine
Africa
Egypt · Nigeria · Kenya · Ethiopia · Ghana · Tanzania · Mozambique · Cameroon · Uganda · Sudan · Libya · Côte d'Ivoire · Angola · Benin · Burkina Faso · Republic of the Congo · DR Congo · Eritrea · Guinea · Madagascar · Mali · Mauritania · Niger · Sierra Leone · Togo · Zambia · Zimbabwe
Americas
Cuba · Haiti
Oceania
Papua New Guinea · Solomon Islands · Tuvalu
Thailand has acceded, but the Convention only takes effect there on 28 February 2027 — until then it still needs embassy legalization. Other countries outside the Convention, including several small island states, follow the same process. Status as of September 2026; countries join over time, so we confirm your destination's current status before filing.
What we handle at the embassy
- Checking which document types that embassy accepts, and in what order
- Booking the embassy appointment and filing the legalization request
- Preparing the certified translation and notarization the embassy asks for
- Returning the finished set in person or by courier
Who typically needs this
Companies and individuals sending Korean documents — corporate registry extracts, powers of attorney, diplomas, family certificates, criminal record checks — to a non-Apostille country for business setup, work permits, marriage, study, or court use.
Good to know
- Each embassy sets its own appointment, fee, and document rules, so turnaround varies by country
- Once a country joins the Convention, an apostille replaces embassy legalization for that destination. Vietnam, for example, joined in September 2026.
Non-Apostille Countries, Listed by Continent
Get in touch about thisFrequently Asked Questions
Is embassy legalization the same as consular legalization?
They are two halves of one process. Consular legalization is the whole chain — Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmation first, then the destination country's embassy. Embassy legalization is the second step, done at the embassy in Seoul.
Which countries need embassy legalization?
Countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention — see the list by continent above. Countries that joined recently, such as Vietnam, Canada, and Indonesia, now use an apostille instead. Tell us your destination and we'll confirm its current status before filing.
Do I need to visit the embassy myself?
Usually not — we file as your authorized agent. If a particular embassy asks for the applicant in person, we'll tell you up front.
My country isn't on the list.
The list covers the most common non-Apostille destinations, not every country. Ask us and we'll confirm the current status.
- Typically replies by email within 1 business day
Free Consultation
Talk to
James Apostille, Translation, Notary, Consular Legalization
Tell us which documents you have and which country they need to go to — apostille, consular legalization, certified translation, visa, or company setup. Consultations in Korean, English, and Japanese.
Typically replies by email within 1 business day
Initial consultation is free
채지헌 (Chae Ji-heon)