Applying to teach in Korea requires certain official documents, such as your apostilled Police Certificate 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 Ireland.
Steps to Get an Apostilled Garda Síochána Police Certificate
A Police Certificate is issued by the Garda Síochána or the Superintendent and/or Assistant Principal Officer within the Division. Once issued, the certificate must be apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
To obtain an apostilled Police Certificate, there are three main steps:
- Prepare Documents for Your Police Certificate
- Obtain Your Police Certificate
- Apostille Your Police Certificate
1. Prepare Documents for Your Police Certificate
You should submit a completed "Police Certificate" application form along with your identification documents.
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Certified copy of your passport, driving licence, or similar for identification purposes
- Proof of your current address and, if applicable, proof of previous addresses
2. Obtain Your Police Certificate
Make the application to the Superintendent or Assistant Principal Officer at the division where you currently live or previously lived in Ireland. Check your local station directory to find the relevant police station and submit the required documents. The application can also be completed online.
Cost: Free
Processing Time: ~ 3 weeks
3. Apostille Your Police Certificate
Once your Police Certificate is issued, it must be apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Cost (Apostille Stamp): €40
Required Documents
- Police Certificate
- Cover letter
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Full name
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Country where the document will be used
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Contact phone number and email address
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Address for document return (If you prefer to collect your documents in person, please indicate this)
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Option 1: Submit in Person
Processing time: Processed while you wait, ~30 minutes
- Dublin office: Hours - 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 2:30 - 3:30 (no walk-ins on Wed.)
- Address: 42-47 Mount Street Lower, Dublin 2.
- Cork office: Hours - 9:30 am - 12:30 PM (walk-ins on Tue. & Thur.)
- Address: 1A South Mall, Cork
Option 2: Submit by Mail (Postal Service)
You may also post your documents to the DFA.
Processing time: 3 ~ 7 working days
| Worldwide and the Rest of Ireland | Munster Region |
| Authentication Section Consular Division Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 80 St. Stephen's Green Dublin 2 D02 VY53 |
Authentication Section Consular Division Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 1A South Mall Cork T12 TA46 |
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 Foreign Affairs (DFA).
To obtain a notarized and apostilled Bachelor's degree, there are two main steps:
- Get a Certified Copy of Your Degree Certificate
- Signed by an Irish solicitor or Notary Public
- Apostille a Copy of Your Diploma
1. Get a Certified Copy of Your Degree Certificate
You can ask your university for a certified hard copy of your original degree. A certified copy is a copy of your degree that has been officially verified with a signature, stamp, and date by an Irish solicitor or Notary Public.
2. Apostille a Copy of Your Degree Certificate
Once your degree certificate is notarized, it must be apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Cost (Apostille Stamp): €40
Required Documents
- Copy of Bachelor's Degree
- Cover letter with the following information
-
Full name
-
Country where the document will be used
-
Contact phone number and email address
-
Address for document return (If you prefer to collect your documents in person, please indicate this)
-
Option 1: Submit in Person
Processing time: Processed while you wait, ~30 minutes
- Dublin office
- Hours: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 2:30 - 3:30 (no walk-ins on Wed.)
- Address: 42-47 Mount Street Lower, Dublin 2.
- Cork office
- Hours: 9:30 am - 12:30 PM (walk-ins on Tue. & Thur.)
- Address: 1A South Mall, Cork
Option 2: Submit by Mail (Postal Service)
You may also post your documents to the DFA.
Processing time: 3 ~ 7 working days
| Worldwide and the Rest of Ireland | Munster Region |
| Authentication Section Consular Division Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 80 St. Stephen's Green Dublin 2 D02 VY53 |
Authentication Section Consular Division Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 1A South Mall Cork T12 TA46 |
FAQ
Q: How long does the entire process take?
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Generally, apostille services take about 30 minutes if done in person, or 3 to 7 working days by post. However, processing times can vary depending on demand, which may fluctuate at different times of the year. The time required to obtain a certified copy of your degree certificate also depends entirely on your university’s processing speed.
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Q: Can I send the original diploma?
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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 an Irish university but am not an Irish citizen. Do I need to notarize and apostille my diploma in Ireland?
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Yes. Even if you are not an Irish citizen, documents issued by an Irish school must be notarized and apostilled in Ireland to be recognized abroad. |
Q: I have a Master's degree. Do I also need to get it notarized and apostilled?
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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?
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Unless requested by the school, you do not. For an E-2-1 visa, a teaching certificate is not required. |
Not from Ireland? Find out how to apostille and notarize your documents
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As former native English teachers in Korea, we know exactly what it’s like to navigate teaching abroad. That’s why we’re committed to increasing transparency in schools and improving Korea’s ESL teaching industry. At Embark Recruiting, we provide full support to help you succeed. Our blogs offer guidance, tips, and insider knowledge for teaching in Korea.