Country-Specific Visa Information (1/14)
New Zealand: How to Apostille and Notarize New Zealand Documents for Korea
Applying to teach in Korea requires certain official documents, such as your apostilled Criminal Record Check and your notarized and apostilled Bachelor’s Degree. These steps verify that your documents are authentic and accepted by Korean schools and immigration authorities. In this guide, we break down the process to get your documents in New Zealand. Steps to Get an Apostilled Garda Síochána Police Certificate A Criminal Record Check is issued by the Ministry of Justice. Once issued, the certificate must be apostilled by the Department of Internal Affairs Authentication Unit (Apostille service). To obtain an apostilled Criminal Record Check, there are three main steps: Prepare Documents for Your Criminal Record Check Obtain Your Criminal Record Check Apostille Your Criminal Record Check 1. Prepare Documents for Your Criminal Record Check Required Documents Copy of a valid form of Your Identification (ID) New Zealand Driver's License, Passport Signed and dated "Authority to Release Information Form" Source: Ministry of Justice 2. Obtain Your Criminal Record Check Make the application online on the official Ministry of Justice site. Submit the required documents. Cost: Free Processing Time: Within 20 working days (90% within a week) 3. Apostille Your Criminal Record Check Once your Criminal Record Check is issued, it must be apostilled by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Authentication Unit. Cost (Apostille): 32 NZD Processing Time: 15 working days The Authentication Unit will accept your Criminal Record Check as long as it appears on the Ministry of Justice’s blue letterhead. For a paper apostille, the DIA attaches an apostille certificate to your document. The documents are then bound together with a ribbon and stamped with an official embossed seal. Option 1: Submit in Person Public offices around New Zealand are by appointment only. Locations: Auckland, Manukau, Wellington, and Christchurch Option 2: Submit by Mail (Postal Service) Post to: Authentication Unit Department of Internal Affairs PO Box 10526 Wellington 6140 New Zealand Option 3: Submit by Courier Post to: Authentication Unit Department of Internal Affairs Level 2 7 Waterloo Quay Wellington New Zealand Steps to Get a Notarized and Apostilled Bachelor's Degree You must have a notarized copy of your Bachelor’s degree before it can be apostilled from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Authentication Unit. To obtain a notarized and apostilled Bachelor's degree, there are two main steps: Get a Certified Copy of Your Degree Certificate My eQuals Apostille a Copy of Your Diploma 1. Get a Certified Copy of Your Degree Certificate New Zealand universities provide a certified digital certificate (testamur) for free through My eQuals. Digital documents issued on the My eQuals platform come directly from the universities and carry the same legal status as traditional hard-copy certificates. Source: My eQuals 2. Apostille a Copy of Your Degree Certificate Once you receive your certified degree certificate, it must be apostilled by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Authentication Unit. Cost (Apostille): 32 NZD Processing Time: 15 working days Option 1: Submit in Person Public offices around New Zealand are by appointment only. Locations: Auckland, Manukau, Wellington, and Christchurch Option 2: Submit by Mail (Postal Service) Post to: Authentication Unit Department of Internal Affairs PO Box 10526 Wellington 6140 New Zealand Option 3: Submit by Courier Post to: Authentication Unit Department of Internal Affairs Level 2 7 Waterloo Quay Wellington New Zealand FAQ Q: How long does the entire process take? Generally, the overall timeline is: Criminal Record Check + Apostille (DIA): 3 ~ 7 weeks Copy of Bachelor's Degree (Degree Certificate) + Apostille (DIA): 3 weeks Q: Can I send the original diploma? In theory, you can, but we do not recommend it. You will not receive the diploma back once you send it to your school. Always use a copy of your Degree Certificate (Bachelor's degree). Q: I graduated from a New Zealand university but am not a New Zealand citizen. Do I need to notarize and apostille my diploma in New Zealand? Yes. Even if you are not a New Zealand citizen, documents issued by a New Zealand school must be notarized and apostilled in New Zealand to be recognized abroad. Q: I have a Master's degree. Do I also need to get it notarized and apostilled? Unless requested by the school, you do not have to get your Master's degree notarized and apostilled. A Bachelor's degree will suffice if it was issued within one of the seven designated native English-speaking countries (the U.S., U.K., Canada, South Africa, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand). Q: I have a teaching certificate (TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, etc.). Do I also need to get it notarized and apostilled? Unless requested by the school, you do not. For an E-2-1 visa, a teaching certificate is not required. Not from New Zealand? Find out how to apostille and notarize your documents United States United Kingdom Canada South Africa Australia Ireland