In Korea
- Go to a police station’s civil service desk (민원실) — larger stations with a foreign affairs desk are easier.
- Bring your passport, residence card and a photo, and say what it is for (the country and purpose).
- It is free and can take up to about a week.
The online system (crims.police.go.kr) verifies applicants with Korean resident registration, so foreigners apply in person.
Already left Korea?
Apply at a Korean embassy or consulate with your passport, a photo and your former residence card number. It usually takes 2–4 weeks. Some missions note that the certificate can be used only for immigration purposes.
Apostille
Since 2023, apostilles have been handled by the Overseas Koreans Agency (재외동포청), not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Apply online on its e-service portal (재외동포365민원포털) — the criminal record check is one of the documents that can be apostilled online — or in person at its office in Jongno, Seoul.
- Documents from private bodies — such as a private university diploma — must be notarised (공증) by a Korean notary before they can be apostilled.
- Check the current fee and processing time on the portal before you go.
Official websites
- Korean National Police Agency (경찰청) www.police.go.kr
- Overseas Koreans Agency e-services, incl. apostille (재외동포365민원포털) www.g4k.go.kr
We link only to official sites and re-check these guides, but fees, rules and screens change and can differ between offices. Before you go, confirm on the official site or call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 (multilingual).