Depending on your nationality background checks may be referred to as criminal record checks, police checks, police reports, basic disclosures or police clearance certificates.
Type of Check: Americans must submit national level FBI criminal record checks. These checks are formally called Identity History Summary Checks and there are no alternatives to this requirement (State level checks are NOT accepted by the Korean Immigration Office).
There are two ways to order the proper FBI check.
1ST METHOD – DIRECTLY FROM THE FBI: The FBI accepts paper fingerprint cards which need to be mailed in, or digital finger print cards which are submitted electronically. Using the paper fingerprinting option is not recommended – under any circumstances – because of the lengthy processing timeline (up to 16 weeks!). The digital fingerprinting option is substantially faster and checks requested this way are usually issued within 5 – 10 business days.
FBI Identity History Summary Check Page: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
To order your check electronically from the FBI you will need to visit a government digital fingerprinting office. Go to https://www.edo.cjis.gov and follow the steps under the “Obtaining Your Identity History Summary” section.
2ND METHOD – FROM AN APPROVED FBI CHANNELER: This is the method we recommend because it’s easier and faster than ordering it directly from the FBI.
IMPORTANT: There’s a difference between a channeler that assists with FBI checks and a ‘FBI Approved’ channeler. Only FBI Approved Channelers can assist you with checks that are accepted by Korean Immigration. Keep reading for details and advice.
Recommended Channeler: Accurate Biometrics
Note: Gone2Korea is not affiliated with Accurate Biometrics, nor do we collect a fee for referring people to their services. We recommend them because they’re fast, efficient and fairly priced. Furthermore, many of our American teachers have used their services in the past without problems or delays.
How to order an Identity History Summary Check using Accurate Biometrics
Website: https://accuratebiometrics.com/nationwide/services/by-mail Phone: (866) 361-9944 Email: info@accuratebiometrics.com
PART 1
Note: You can choose USPS First Class Mail service for $60 USD which will take 2-4 business days to process plus courier time (+4-5 days). Or, you can choose UPS Priority for $75 USD which takes 2-4 business days to process plus courier time (+2 days). You’ll need to include the amount you wish to pay on the payment section of the application form (where is asks you to enter ‘Total Amount to be Billed to Your Credit Card’). If you don’t have a credit card to use then you can obtain a money order, or cashier’s check, payable to ‘Accurate Biometrics’.
PART 2
Accurate Biometrics Mailing Address
Accurate Biometrics Attn: Departmental Order 500 Park Boulevard, Suite 1260 Itasca, IL 60143
Imperative: Do NOT bend or folder the fingerprint cards! The FBI won’t process your request if there are paper creases on your fingerprints.
You will receive the hardcopy of your FBI Check in 3-7 business days (the timeline is dependent on the return mail option you selected).
ONE MORE STEP!
Once you receive the physical background check you will need to send it to the US Department of State Office in order to have it authenticated with an Apostille – something Korean Immigration requires.
Please Note: The FBI and Accurate Biometrics do NOT offer Apostille authentication services. It’s a separate/independent step which can only be done by the DOS.
Click HERE for Apostille authentication procedures.
Canadian teachers MUST secure National level FINGER-PRINT based checks from the RCMP. Name and DOB based checks or provincial level finger-print checks are not accepted by Korean Immigration.
Please be advised: All Canadians must have their original RCMP background check verified by the Korean consulate with a Consulate Verification Stamp – no exceptions. NOTE: Canadians cannot have their checks authenticated with an Apostilled seal because Canada is not a signatory of the Apostille treaty.
How do I request nationwide criminal background check from the RCMP? There are 2 ways to secure finger-print based checks from the RCMP.
Gone2Korea advises all Canadians to secure their check via electronic finger-print submission. Electronic submission only takes 5-10 days to process and paper finger-print cards by registered mail can takes upwards of 2 months.
How do I submit electronic finger-prints to the RCMP?
CRUCIAL: Please remember that name and DOB based checks are no longer accepted by the Korean authorities.
RCMP homepage http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/
Australian checks are usually referred to as Police Checks or Police Certificates.
Australian teachers must submit Federal Level Police Checks; meaning, the check must constitute a nationwide search. Applicants can download the Australian National Police Check Application Form directly from the Australian Federal Police website: http://www.afp.gov.au
Note: All Australians need to have their checks authenticated with an Apostille Seal. Refer to our International Apostille page for details.
The Korean authorities currently accept 4 different types of criminal record checks from British teachers – Basic Disclosures, Standard Disclosures, Enhanced Disclosures and Subject Access Reports.
Subject Access Reports take 40 days to process and standard or enhanced disclosures require extra paper work; therefore, Gone2Korea advises all British applicants to secure Basic Disclosures when possible (Basic Disclosures are cheaper, have a shorter processing period and are usually issued within 3 weeks of the application date).
How to order a Basic Disclosure: Simply visit the Mygov.scot website and follow their easy step-by-step application instructions.
Note: All Brits need to have their check authenticated with an Apostille Seal. Refer to the International Apostille page of our site for details.
Background Checks in Ireland are usually referred to as: Police Check Certificates.
Best Method: You can secure Police Check Certificates (that are accepted by Korean Immigration) by contacting the Garda Police Station in your jurisdiction and requesting a Police Check Certificate of Character.
Note: All Irish need to have their check authenticated with an Apostille Seal. Refer to the International Apostille page of our site for details.
Garda Police homepage (http://www.garda.ie/)
CRC’s are usually referred to as Police Clearance Reports in New Zealand. The Ministry of Justice does not issue Police Clearance Reports over the phone. In most cases, New Zealand teachers will need to download the proper form from their website (http://www.justice.govt.nz) and submit a written copy which has been signed and dated with an ink signature.
New Zealand teachers must submit Federal Level Police Clearances; meaning, the check must constitute a nationwide search.
Note: All New Zealanders need to have their check authenticated with an Apostille Seal. Refer to our International Apostille page for details.
The South African Department of Foreign Affairs currently issues Police Clearance Certificates that are accepted by the Korean Immigration office: http://www.dfa.gov.za/consular/policeclear.htm
South African teachers must have their checks authenticated with an Apostille Seal. Refer to our International Apostille page for details.