Changes to the E2 Visa Process- Diploma

Gone Seoul Searching's diploma!
 
    As of September 2010 a notarized copy of your diploma with an apostille is now required to receive an E2 visa. (This is also required if you are already living in Korea with an E2 visa!)
    Luckily this process is less time consuming than the FBI National Criminal Background Check. Now you just have to get a copy of your diploma notarized by a notary public. Bigger universities might have a notary right on campus. Most of the time a statement must be included from the notary in order to receive an apostille on your notarized diploma copy. Find out if your secretary of State requires this. The Califonia Secratary of State requires this statement along with the ORIGINAL notarized document.

Attention: Some States such as California require the original notarized document in order to receive an apostille. Thus a copy of your diploma is not sufficient for the apostille! However, a copy of the diploma is sufficient when turning in the notarized documents to Korean Immigration. This means you do not have to mail your original diploma overseas anymore. 

Getting an Apostille in California: information provided from the California State Secretary

1. Authentication requests can be submitted by mail to: 

Mailing Address
Notary Public Section
P.O. Box 942877
Sacramento, CA 94277-0001

The processing time is typically three to five business days from the date the request is received in the Sacramento office.

When submitting a request for authentication by mail, please include the following items:

• The original notarized and/or certified document(s). A photocopy is not acceptable.
• A cover letter stating the country in which the document will be used.
• A check or money order for the authentication fee of $20 per authentication certificate made payable to Secretary of State and payable in U.S. dollars.
• A self-addressed envelope for the return mail. If you wish to use a mail tracking service, please provide a pre-paid air bill. If you do not use a prepaid service, our office will mail your document(s) by U.S. Postal Service regular mail at no charge.

If you have any questions or comments about getting your diploma notarized and apostilled for the E2 Visa please leave them in the comment box below or email goneseoulsearching@gmail.com.

  Gone Seoul Searching by Marie Webb is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at goneseoulsearching@gmail.com.