How To Get a Criminal Record Check

15 January 2015 Features, Korea

On December 15th, 2007 the Ministry of Justice made some changes to immigration rules regarding the documents required to secure an E2 teaching visa.

One of the main changes implemented was the necessity for anyone planning on teaching in Korea to provide a clean criminal record check.

This section includes information detailing how to obtain the criminal background check for Korea from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and the USA, as well as some useful contact numbers, links, and email addresses. Getting a criminal record check is an essential step towards your esl teaching job in Korea.

I am from Australia

The National Police Clearance Certificate, accounting for criminal records in all states and territories except Queensland, is granted
by the Australian Federal Police in Canberra.
Download the National Police Check application form.
Applications should be posted to:
Australian Federal Police,
Criminal Records
Locked Bag No. 1,
WESTON ACT 2611
The fee is $43 and must be paid per cheque (from an Australian bank) or money order. Applications are processed within 15 days.
Once you have the National Police Clearance Certificate, it needs to be Apostilled

please see our Getting An Apostille in Australia section,

Useful links and telephone numbers:

Korean Immigration Service, Border Control Division,
Australian Federal Police, Canberra,
Australian Embassy, E2 Visa Information
AFP, National Police Checks
Criminal Records - National Police Check: Tel +61262023333

I am from Canada

The Canadian criminal record check for Korea is granted by RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) Canada office in Ottawa.
To apply for the check, you need to have your fingerprints taken on form C-216C at your local police station. A fee for the
fingerprints check is sometimes required depending on the jurisdiction.
Next, you need to mail your application to the following address:
The Director
Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services
RCMP, NPS Bldg.
1200 Vanier Parkway
Ottawa ON KIA 0R2
A checklist of what information is required to complete the application
(see sections 3,4 & 7).
The processing fee for the criminal record check in Canada is $25 CAN and payable to the "Receiver General for Canada" either by
certified cheque or money order. Please note, credit card payments are not acceptable.

NOTE: It is also possible to apply for a criminal record check from your local police station in Canada (cost $30, processing time 7 - 10 days, requiring - some form of ID including current address)

Useful links and telephone numbers:

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (General Inquiries) - +16 139 937 267

I am from Ireland

You need to go to a Garda Police Station and request a 'Cerificate of Character'.
For details of what to include in the application, see (application procedure).
An application costs 6.36 Euros and is payable by cheque, postal order, or bank draft. It should be addressed to 'The Accountant,
Department of Justice', and must be made in writing to the following address:
Inspector in Charge
Garda Central Vetting Unit
Racecourse Road
Thurles
Co. Tipperary
The Certifcate of Character should be processed within 40 days from time of application.
Once you have the Certificate of Character, it needs to be Apostilled - please see our Getting An Apostille in Ireland section.

Useful links and telephone numbers:

Criminal Records Bureau,
Central Vetting Unit: +35 350 427 300

I am from New Zealand

You must apply in writing to the Privacy Unit of the Ministry of Justice.
The application form can be downloaded. This form also details full instructions of what is required to apply.
Alternatively you can request a form by phone on +64 (4) 918 8974
It takes 20 working days to process a Criminal Record Check in New Zealand from the point at which the application is received.

Once you have the check, it needs to be Apostilled - please see our Getting An Apostille in New Zealand section.

Useful links, telephone numbers, and email addresses:

New Zealand Embassy, Seoul
Email: nzembsel@kornet.net
Tel: +82 237 017 700

I am from South Africa

Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate and forward applications to the Criminal Record Center in Pretoria.
Information about what to include in the application (sections 4, 5, & 6).
The processing fee for the criminal record check in South Africa is R59.00 and payable to the South African Police Service by either South African cheque, banker's draft, or money order.
The address to send the application, fingerprints, and fee to is:
Inspector Delport or Sgt. Bunk
Criminal Record Center - SAPS
1st Floor, Sanlam Plaza West
271 Schoeman Street
Pretoria 0001
Rep of South Africa
It takes 28 days to process the Police Clearance Certificate in South Africa.

Once you have the Police Clearance Certificate, it needs to be Apostilled - please see our Getting An Apostille in South Africa
section.

Useful links and telephone numbers:

Department of Foreign Affairs: +27 12 393 37 12/13/14/15
Department of Foreign Affairs, Consular Information

I am from the UK

Apply for what's called a Basic Disclosure (can alternatively be termed Subject Access Request).
The people who provide this are Disclosure Scotland and can be contacted on: 0870 609 6006 or alternatively via their website.

Once you have the Basic Disclosure, it needs to be Apostilled - please see our Getting An Apostille in the UK section.

Useful links and telephone numbers:

UK in Korea, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
UK Embassy, newsroom
Metropolitan Police Service
Disclosure Scotland, Tel: +44870 609 6006

I am from the USA

Request an FBI Identification Record which needs to be applied for in writing, requires proof of identity (name, date of birth, set of roll-inked fingerprint impressions) and certified check,credit card, or money order for the processing fee of $18.
The processing time for this can be up to 12 weeks. For more information on this method of application.
Once you have this document, it needs to be Apostilled - please see our Getting An Apostille in the USA section

Useful links, email addresses and telephone numbers: