Apostilled documents in Reading for use in South Korea

Reading apostille for South Korea: Get UK-issued documents legally recognised for use in South Korea through the Hague Convention process.

Reading → South Korea

Hague Members

Destination South Korea

Destination status Hague Convention member

Issued by The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)

Standard turnaround Up to 25 working days, plus postage

Information validated 21 August 2026

Complete Guide

Reading Apostille for South Korea

A guide to getting a UK apostille for documents to be used in South Korea, including when you need one and how the process works.

In this guide

Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for South Korea
Getting and using the apostille from the United Kingdom to South Korea
What you need for an apostille for South Korea
Cost & timing

Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for South Korea

South Korea joined the Hague Convention in 2007, which means an apostille from the UK is the standard way to certify documents for use there. As the Legalisation Office states, this stamp confirms the status of a UK public official's signature and seal, and it is what completes document legalisation for South Korea without any extra embassy stage. The alternative route of embassy legalisation is not needed here because both countries recognise each other's apostilles under the Convention. Documents that often need this include marriage certificates, academic records, or official certificates that must serve legal purposes in South Korea.

Getting and using the apostille from the United Kingdom to South Korea

Start by obtaining a fresh certified copy of your document from Reading Register Office at the Civic Offices on Bridge Street. This office can provide official duplicates of birth, marriage, and death records that carry the same legal weight as the original. Once you have this copy, you submit it to the Legalisation Office, which will attach the stamp that makes an apostille issued in Reading for use in South Korea valid. The Legalisation Office processes these requests by post only, sending your certified copy to their Milton Keynes address for examination. This route protects your irreplaceable original documents from being lost or damaged during shipping, and an apostille from United Kingdom to South Korea carries the same legal weight regardless of which city the paperwork started in.

What you need for an apostille for South Korea

South Korean authorities will only accept documents that have been properly apostilled and, if not in Korean, accompanied by a sworn translation. The translation must be done by a professional translator approved by the South Korean embassy or consulate in the UK. Some document types may need additional verification, such as educational certificates that require confirmation from the awarding institution first. It is important to check with the specific South Korean authority that will receive your papers to confirm their exact requirements. Commonly apostilled papers include adoption papers, business documents, and police clearance certificates.

Cost & timing

The Legalisation Office charges an official fee for each apostille issued from the United Kingdom to South Korea. Their standard service generally takes up to 25 working days after they receive your papers, while a quicker option is available to registered businesses. There is also a postal charge for returning documents once the apostille has been attached. If you need to send the apostilled document securely to South Korea, consider using a tracked international delivery service. Processing times at the South Korean end may vary depending on the specific authority handling your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading → South Korea apostille FAQ

How does the Reading apostille for South Korea work?

An apostille for use in South Korea is the standard process because South Korea joined the Hague Convention in 2007. This means the paper must bear a stamp from The Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes, verifying the signature's authenticity. There is no need for extra steps at the South Korean embassy. The office in Milton Keynes handles all applications from across the UK, including those sent from Reading. You can order a fresh certified copy of birth, marriage or death records from Reading Register Office on Bridge Street so your original never gets mailed.

What kind of documents might I need to use in South Korea?

Common papers include birth certificates, police records, court orders, divorce decrees, and academic transcripts. For personal records like birth or marriage certificates, Reading Register Office can provide a new certified copy instead of risking the original. Educational papers often need original signatures from the issuing institution before the apostille. Company documents such as certificates of incorporation usually require a recent company house printout. Each type follows the same path through the legalisation process in Milton Keynes.

Does my paper need to be translated for South Korean authorities?

South Korean authorities typically require English papers to have an authorised Korean translation. The translation should be done after receiving the apostille, with both the original and translated copy submitted together. Translators in Korea often handle this process for documents coming into the country. It is important to confirm the specific requirements with the receiving organisation in advance. They may require the translation to be notarised under Korean law.

How long does the full process take from start to finish?

The Legalisation Office currently takes an average of around a week if sent by standard post. Registered business users can pay extra for next-day service if needed. Time for postage both ways depends on the mail service you choose. Allow additional days if you need to order a certified copy from Reading first. Translation in Korea adds about the same again, so plan accordingly if your office there needs the work done.

How It Works

Four steps to your South Korea-ready apostille

No office visits, no queues. The entire process is handled remotely and you track every step in real time.

Prepare your document

Obtain the original document (or a certified copy) you need to use abroad, and check whether it must be notarised first.

Confirm the requirements

Verify the document is eligible for an apostille.

Submit to The Legalisation Office

The apostille is issued by The Legalisation Office, the competent authority. The government fee is £45 / document (standard postal); £40 / document next-day (registered businesses).

Receive your apostille

The authority attaches the apostille certificate, making the document valid abroad with no further embassy legalisation.

Where to go

Where Reading documents are certified and apostilled

These are two different offices doing two different jobs. The local register office issues the certified copy of a Reading birth, marriage or death record — check its current appointment rules before going. The apostille itself before use in South Korea comes from the FCDO Legalisation Office, the UK's single competent authority, which accepts documents by post rather than in person.

Reading Register Office

Certified copies of civil records (birth, marriage, death)

Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU

Directions →

FCDO Legalisation Office

Issues the apostille — UK-wide, by post

PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX

Directions →

Document Types