Guide to the Application for a Background Check (Criminal Records) Certificate
The Criminal Records Certificate was changed to the Background Check (Criminal Records) Certificate in April 2015. The Certificate is classified into the Foreign Visa Application, Citizenship Application, and Background Check for those who have overseas visas (permanent residence) or citizenship and issued after their background has been checked (7 days).
1. Requirements
Application for a Background Check (Criminal Records) Certificate is only by those for whom it is necessary (in-person application for Koreans or foreigners who are allowed to stay in Korea for a specific period).
※ The government worker receiving the application verifies the applicant with the passport (passport must be presented for foreign applicants) or identification card.
2. Basic Documents
• Application Form (Appendix No. 1-1, 1-2 or 1-3) (to be written in the applicant's own handwriting)
• Bust shot without a hat taken within 6 months, one photo (3x4cm)
• A copy of the passport (copy the page containing nationality, name and date of birth)
2-1. The following applicants must submit additional documents - [Basic and Additional Documents] to be submitted.
• Foreigners: CERTIFICATE OF ALIEN REGISTRATION or Copy of ALIEN-CARD
• Koreans born abroad (Whose resident registration number starts with 1, 2, 3 or 4) - Basic Certificate
※ Koreans who moved to foreign countries before 1975 (Resident Registration Act revised) or those who have not registered for resident registration.
• Minors (younger than 19) : Basic certificates ※ Certificate of Parents/Legal Representative/Guardian to be presented (not required for submission)
3. General Application and Check Procedure [See Guide on Filling Out an Application Form and Civil Application Form]
• The applicant must make an in-person visit to any police station (including Police Agency) or diplomatic office and apply for a Background Check (Criminal Records) Certificate.
※ For your convenience, please call the foreign affairs department at your nearest police station (including Police Agency) before visiting to make an appointment.
• The officer responsible will verify the application form and the applicant with the identification card and will receive the documents.
• After a 7-day background check, a Background Check (Criminal Records) Certificate will be issued.
3-1. Application by International Carrier Service
(fees to be paid by applicant)– [Basic and Additional Documents] to be submitted.
• Application via an international carrier service is allowed only when a diplomatic office is far away while the applicant is residing in a foreign country.
Fingerprint Identification Form (Appendix Form 12), Background Check (Criminal Records) Certificate (Appendix Form 1-3), and Letter of Attorney if needed (Appendix Form 13-3) must be filled in the applicant's own handwriting with an accompanying fingerprint.
※ It will take about 30 days from the receipt of the application to the background check including a fingerprint check.
• If the applicant can visit a diplomatic office while residing in a foreign country but needs to ask others to apply in Korea, the applicant fills out the application form and Letter of attorney (Appendix Form 13-1), receives approval from a consul, and submits documentation by an international carrier service.
3-2. Application at a diplomatic office in a foreign country and request a person in Korea to get the certificate from a police station (including Police Agency) in Korea - [Basic and Additional Documents] to be submitted.
• The application form is submitted to a diplomatic office in a foreign country and sent to Korea and an authorized person in Korea receives the certificate in Korea
1) Basic documents. Letter of Attorney (Appendix Form 13-1) needs to be certified by a consul.
2) The certificate can be received only in a police station in Korea designated by the applicant in a diplomatic office.
4. Guide for Filling Out an Application Form and Civil Application Form [ Distribution in Minwon-sil (Civil Services Center), Police Station (including Police Agency) ]
• How to Fill Out a Background Check (Criminal Records) Certificate Application Form.
［Download and fill out the relevant application form]
- How to Fill Out the Application Form for a Diplomatic Office[Appendix Form 1-1] and Sample [Download]
- How to Fill Out the Application Form for a Police Station (including Police Agency) [Appendix 1-2] and Sample [Download]
- How to Fill Out the Application Form for a international carrier service (Including Fingerprint Identification Form) [Appendix Form 1-3] and Sample [Download]
• Application Form download : Police Petition Website→ Customer Center
→ Forms→ Click Foreign Affairs Department.
- Application Form [Appendix Form 1-1] - for Diplomatic Offices [Download]
- Application Form [Appendix Form 1-2] - for Police Stations [Download]
- Application Form [Appendix Form 1-3] - for international carrier service (Including Fingerprint Identification Form) [Download]
- Letter of Attorney [Appendix Form 13-1] - exclusively for diplomatic offices (including notarization by a consul) Distribution in diplomatic office
- Letter of Attorney [Appendix Form 13-2] - exclusively for police stations (including Police Agency) Distribution in Minwon-sil (Civil Services Center) - Letter of Attorney [Appendix Form 13-3] - exclusively for international
carrier service (including fingerprint by oneself)[Download]
5. Inquiry
If you have more inquiries, Dial ‘182’ without area code (when the caller is in Korea), ‘+82-2-182’ (when the caller is overseas)
6. Information on Background Check (Criminal Records) Certificate
(Relevant Act: Act on the Lapse of Criminal Sentences)
Applicant Purposes Certificates
(Relevant Acts) Issued by Remarks
Applicant
･ For visa (permanent residence) application
※ Marriage visa for a spouse (Except invitation visa to
Korea)
･ For citizenship application (including USA)
･ For checking background (for usage abroad)
Background Check (Criminal Records) Certificate
(Paragraph 5, Clause 1, Article 6)
Any police stations (including Police Agency) in Korea (dealing with foreign affairs)
Submission in Korea is not allowed
※ To be submitted to a diplomatic office of a foreign country in Korea
Diplomatic Office
When required for suits or criminal investigation
Official Criminal Records Bulletin
(Paragraph 1, Clause 1, Article 6)
Foreign Affairs Department, National Police Agency (Background Check Team in the Foreign Affairs Department)
Visa of Korea (F-6) for a spouse of a Korean in accordance with the
"International Marriage Program"
acknowledged by the Ministry of Justice
Issuance to an individual is not allowed because of no specified form for individual issuance in accordance with the Immigration Control Act
By submitting the application form to the Foreign Affairs Department, National Police Agency or by official notice from a diplomatic office
A diplomatic office must make a request by official notice because of the different scope of the bulletin.
Individual
For checking an applicant (Submission or presentation for other purposes is subject to punishment)
Criminal or Investigation Record Inquiry Bulletin (Paragraph 4, Clause 1, Article 6)
Data Processing Center of Police Station
Judicial action or accusation for applicants who use the certificate for other purposes
