Documents You'll Prepare
Personal, academic and application materials normally supplied by the candidate.
- Valid Passport
- University Degree
- Resume
- Passport Photos
- Signed Forms
Hive Digital
Candidate document resource partner
Prepared for OK Recruiting applicants
OK Recruiting Document Resource Centre
Prepared with Hive Digital Consulting to help OK Recruiting applicants organize documents commonly required for teaching in South Korea.
Start with the country that issued your documents. Hive will help identify the appropriate background check, fingerprinting and apostille route before you submit originals.
Start here
Select Your Country
Choose the country that issued your documents so Hive can confirm the appropriate national background-check and apostille path.
Prepare the right records
Required Documents
Use this as an orientation guide, then follow the current document list and timing instructions supplied by OK Recruiting and the Korean mission handling your application.
Documents Hive Can Help With
Specialist background-check, fingerprinting and apostille workflows.
Match the document to the authority
Apostille Guidance
The correct route depends on where each document originated and how it was issued or certified. Hive reviews those details before recommending a process.
National Background Checks
Use the national-level record requested for your country. Local, state or provincial checks cover a different jurisdiction and should not be substituted without confirmation.
University Degrees
Degree preparation depends on the issuing country and whether the placement requires an original, certified copy or notarized copy.
Correct Competent Authority
Each eligible country has its own apostille authority. U.S. federal records and state-prepared degree documents also follow different authorities.
Recruitment and documents, coordinated
Working Together
OK Recruiting manages the placement relationship while Hive focuses on the supporting document workflow.
OK Recruiting connects qualified teachers with Korean schools and provides guidance through the recruitment and placement stages.
Hive Digital Consulting specializes in document preparation including criminal record checks, fingerprint guidance, apostilles and country-specific document coordination.
Together we help applicants identify document issues early, prepare clearer submissions and reduce avoidable corrections before records are sent onward.
Avoid preventable delays
Common Document Mistakes
The most expensive corrections often begin with the wrong record, an expired document or an apostille requested from the wrong authority.
Using a local police check
A local, state or provincial record is not the same as a national-level criminal record check.
Starting too late
Background checks and apostilles involve separate authorities, review steps and delivery time.
Incorrect fingerprint card
The card and submission format should be confirmed before the appointment, especially outside North America.
Low-quality fingerprints
Smudged, incomplete or faint ridge detail can cause rejection and require a new set.
Missing an apostille
The degree and national criminal record commonly require separate preparation through the correct authorities.
Incorrect degree preparation
The copy, certification and apostille route must match the document's origin and requested format.
Date-window problems
A criminal record ordered too early may fall outside the receiving authority's accepted issue-date window.
Using outdated forms
Use the current forms and instructions supplied by OK Recruiting and the Korean mission handling the application.
Typical U.S. Processing Times
Document Processing Timeline
- 1
Fingerprinting
Typical Time
Same Day
Professional fingerprinting or police station fingerprinting. Hive accepts high-resolution scans for quality review before originals are mailed.
- 2
Background Check
Typical Time
24–48 Hours
Electronic processing after fingerprint submission for eligible U.S. FBI requests.
- 3
Degree Apostille
Typical Time
24 Hours
For eligible U.S. degree workflows. State-specific requirements may apply.
- 4
Federal Apostille
Typical Time
Rush Service
Approximately 2 Weeks
Standard Service
Approximately 4 Weeks
Federal apostille for FBI reports and other federally issued documents.
- 5
Documents Ready
Your completed documents are ready for submission to your recruiter, employer or immigration process.
Processing times are estimates and may vary depending on government agencies and document requirements.
Capture it correctly
Fingerprinting Options
The right fingerprinting option depends on where you are located, which national record you need and the submission route selected for your case.
Review regional fingerprinting guidance- Professional fingerprinting providers
- Police station fingerprinting where available
- FBI FD-258 fingerprint cards
- Hive quality review before submission
- High-resolution scans accepted before originals are mailed
Hive Digital
Cross-border document specialists
Recruiting in Korea since 2006
About OK Recruiting
OK Recruiting is a Seoul-based recruitment company that has worked with English teachers and Korean schools since 2006.
Its team supports candidates with role matching, recruitment communication and the placement stages associated with moving into a teaching position in South Korea.
Candidates receive recruiter guidance for the job process while Hive provides specialist support for the background checks, fingerprints and apostilles that sit behind the document submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers for OK Recruiting applicants preparing documents for teaching in South Korea.
Korea documentsWhich documents should I begin preparing for OK Recruiting?
Start with the checklist supplied by OK Recruiting. Teaching programs in South Korea commonly request a passport copy, application materials, an apostilled degree copy, and an apostilled national-level criminal record check. Your final list can vary by program, nationality, employer, and circumstances, so treat current recruiter instructions as authoritative for your application.
Korea documentsShould I wait for a final contract before starting my paperwork?
Usually not. Background checks, fingerprinting, and apostilles can involve several organizations and mailing steps. Begin when OK Recruiting advises you to do so, while making sure date-sensitive records are not ordered too early.
FBI background checksWhat FBI document is normally used by U.S. applicants?
U.S. applicants are commonly asked for an FBI Identity History Summary because it is a national-level, fingerprint-based record. Confirm the exact document name and acceptable issue date with OK Recruiting before ordering.
FBI background checksCan a state police background check replace an FBI report?
Do not assume that it can. Korean teaching-document workflows commonly call for a national-level criminal record check from the applicant's country of citizenship. A state or local check covers a different jurisdiction and should only be used if OK Recruiting or the receiving authority specifically confirms it.
FBI background checksDoes the FBI require current fingerprints?
Yes. The FBI states that a fingerprint card used for a previous Identity History Summary cannot be reused. A current set of fingerprints is required for a new request.
FingerprintingWhich fingerprint card should I use?
Hive commonly supports applicants using an FBI FD-258 fingerprint card. The submission route can affect the preferred card or format, so send Hive your blank card or provider instructions before your appointment if you are unsure.
FingerprintingWhere can I have fingerprints taken?
Options can include professional fingerprinting providers and police stations that offer applicant fingerprinting. Availability, fees, identification requirements, and whether you must supply a card vary by location. Call ahead before visiting.
FingerprintingWhat happens if my fingerprints are low quality?
Poor ridge detail, smudging, incomplete rolls, or prints outside the boxes can cause a rejection. Hive can review a high-resolution scan before submission and may recommend a new set when quality is not sufficient.
FingerprintingShould the fingerprint technician sign or stamp my card?
Requirements depend on the selected processing route and the information requested on the card. Ask the technician to complete the provider fields when they are willing and send Hive a scan afterward. We will flag missing information that matters for your workflow.
FingerprintingWhat scan quality should I send to Hive?
Scan the complete card in color at a minimum of 400 DPI, with all edges, fingerprint boxes, and handwritten fields visible. Avoid shadows, perspective distortion, compression, and messaging-app settings that reduce image quality.
MailingShould I mail my original fingerprint card immediately?
Send Hive the high-resolution scan first. Once the card has been reviewed, Hive will confirm whether the original is needed and provide the correct mailing instructions for the agreed FBI or RCMP processing route.
MailingCan I send more than one fingerprint card?
Yes, and a second completed card can be useful when print quality is uncertain. The FBI advises applicants with repeated fingerprint rejections to have multiple sets taken, preferably by a fingerprinting technician.
Processing timesHow long does an FBI background check take?
Timing depends on the submission method, fingerprint quality, current agency workload, and delivery method. The FBI does not promise expedited handling for direct requests. Hive will confirm the current estimate for the route you select, but government processing times can change.
Processing timesHow long does an apostille take?
Timing depends on the authority, submission method, current workload, and courier route. Federal and state apostilles follow different processes. Request a current estimate after Hive confirms which authority is correct for your document.
Validity periodsHow recent must my criminal record check be?
Korean teaching-document workflows commonly apply an issue-date window to criminal record checks, and the exact reference date can vary by recruiter, employer, intake, consular office, or immigration instruction. Confirm the current timing with OK Recruiting before ordering.
ApostillesWho issues the apostille for an FBI background check?
An FBI Identity History Summary is a U.S. federal document. The appropriate federal apostille is issued through the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications, not by an individual state's Secretary of State.
ApostillesWhy is a state apostille wrong for an FBI report?
State authorities generally authenticate documents issued or notarized within their state. An FBI report is issued by a federal agency. Using the wrong authority can leave the document unacceptable for its intended overseas use.
ApostillesDoes an apostille verify the contents of my background check?
No. An apostille certifies the origin of the public document, such as the signature or seal of the issuing official. It does not change, approve, or interpret the information contained in the background check.
Degree apostillesDo I apostille my original university degree?
Many Korean teaching-document workflows use an apostilled or otherwise certified degree copy. The copy, notarization, and apostille process must be prepared in the format requested. Do not send or alter an original diploma until the required format has been confirmed.
Degree apostillesWhich state handles a U.S. degree apostille?
The correct state route depends on how the degree copy is certified or notarized and where that act takes place. It is not determined only by where the applicant currently lives. Hive reviews the degree and requested format before recommending a state process.
Degree apostillesDoes a degree apostille expire?
The apostille itself does not normally carry a general expiration date, but the receiving program or authority can impose document-format, issue-date, or submission-window rules. Follow the current OK Recruiting checklist for your intake.
RCMP checksWhat background check is commonly used by Canadian applicants?
Canadian applicants are commonly asked for a national-level RCMP criminal record check. The exact product, fingerprint route, and certification format should be confirmed against the OK Recruiting instructions for your program.
RCMP checksCan fingerprints taken outside Canada be used for an RCMP check?
In many workflows, ink fingerprints taken abroad can be converted and submitted through an accredited Canadian fingerprinting provider. The provider's forms, identification, consent, and card requirements vary, so Hive confirms the route before you collect fingerprints.
Canadian documentsDoes my Canadian document need an apostille or authentication?
Canada now issues apostilles under the Apostille Convention, but the correct competent authority depends on the document and where it was issued. Hive will confirm the route for an RCMP record or degree after reviewing the document and OK Recruiting requirements.
Korean immigrationDoes Hive process my E-2 visa?
No. Hive prepares and coordinates document services such as background checks, fingerprinting guidance, and apostilles. OK Recruiting, the sponsoring employer, Korean immigration, and the relevant consular office manage their respective recruitment and visa steps.
Official references
Requirements and agency processing practices can change. Check current recruiter and consular instructions alongside these sources:
Ready to Prepare Your Documents?
If you're applying through OK Recruiting, Hive can help you prepare criminal record checks, fingerprint cards, apostilles and supporting documentation before your records are submitted.
Hive prepares documents and coordinates document services. Final acceptance decisions remain with OK Recruiting, the employer and relevant government authorities.