How do I use the Death Certificate (for probate) for an estate matter in Germany?

Prepare Death Certificate (for probate) → translate to German (vereidigt) → MFA → สถานทูตเยอรมนี → file with Nachlassgericht (Probate Court). Thai-side: 10-21 working days; overseas probate: 60-180 days.

ประเด็นสำคัญที่ต้องรู้

Original document to be certified (or freshly issued certified copy within validity window)

1. Send scanned copies of source documents to us via LINE/email for free initial review.

Standard turnaround: 5-7 business days from receipt of complete originals.

Originals out of validity window — many destinations require documents issued within 3-6 months. Confirm with the destination authority first.

คำถามที่พบบ่อย

How long does it take?

Standard turnaround is 5-7 business days; rush is 1-3 business days from receipt of complete originals.

What is included in the fee?

Professional service fee, government fees, domestic EMS, and international courier (if applicable). Everything is itemized in the quote.

Do I have to visit the office?

No — send by EMS, or we can arrange a Bangkok pickup. Final documents can be couriered worldwide.

Will the result be accepted abroad?

Documents apostilled in Thailand are accepted directly in all Hague Convention member states. Non-member states need a further embassy legalization step.

International Document Services

Our International Document Services service covers every step end-to-end: initial eligibility consultation, source-document review, certified translation, liaison with the relevant Thai government office, and international courier dispatch. The handling team includes attorneys registered as Notarial Services Attorneys with the Lawyers Council of Thailand, translators recognized by the Ministry of Justice, and consular liaison officers with 10+ years of experience. Every document carries a different downstream use case — employment, study, immigration, marriage, or commercial filing — and each receiving authority has its own acceptance rules. We plan the shortest and most cost-effective document routing for your case before any fees are charged, and we issue a written timeline so you can schedule your travel or filing with confidence. Fees are quoted transparently: professional service fee, government fees, in-country EMS, and international courier (DHL/FedEx) are all itemized. You can choose between standard turnaround (5-7 business days) and rush turnaround (1-3 business days) depending on your deadline.

Service Overview

Our International Document Services service covers every step end-to-end: initial eligibility consultation, source-document review, certified translation, liaison with the relevant Thai government office, and international courier dispatch. The handling team includes attorneys registered as Notarial Services Attorneys with the Lawyers Council of Thailand, translators recognized by the Ministry of Justice, and consular liaison officers with 10+ years of experience.
Every document carries a different downstream use case — employment, study, immigration, marriage, or commercial filing — and each receiving authority has its own acceptance rules. We plan the shortest and most cost-effective document routing for your case before any fees are charged, and we issue a written timeline so you can schedule your travel or filing with confidence.
Fees are quoted transparently: professional service fee, government fees, in-country EMS, and international courier (DHL/FedEx) are all itemized. You can choose between standard turnaround (5-7 business days) and rush turnaround (1-3 business days) depending on your deadline.

Documents Required

Original document to be certified (or freshly issued certified copy within validity window)
Copy of national ID or passport, signed and dated as a true copy
Power of attorney (if a representative will handle it) with a 30 THB revenue stamp
Destination details: country, receiving authority, purpose, and required deadline

Step-by-Step Process

1. Send scanned copies of source documents to us via LINE/email for free initial review.
2. Our team confirms eligibility, issues a written quote and a guaranteed turnaround.
3. You deliver originals to our office (or book a Bangkok pickup) and pay a 50% deposit.
4. We translate, certify, and submit to the relevant Thai authority in sequence.
5. Final documents are scanned and emailed for your review before physical dispatch.
6. We ship by EMS domestically and DHL/FedEx internationally, with tracking numbers.

Timeline & Fees

Standard turnaround: 5-7 business days from receipt of complete originals.
Rush turnaround: 1-3 business days (rush surcharge applies).
Government fees are charged at official rates with no markup.
Domestic EMS at Thailand Post rates; international DHL/FedEx at actual weight-based rates.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

Originals out of validity window — many destinations require documents issued within 3-6 months. Confirm with the destination authority first.
Name mismatch between document and passport — embassies reject these. Correct it at the district office before translating.
Using a translator without an official seal — MFA and embassies will not accept it; you'll restart the chain.
Skipping MFA legalization before the embassy step — wastes multiple trips and weeks of time.

FAQ

How long does it take?: Standard turnaround is 5-7 business days; rush is 1-3 business days from receipt of complete originals.
What is included in the fee?: Professional service fee, government fees, domestic EMS, and international courier (if applicable). Everything is itemized in the quote.
Do I have to visit the office?: No — send by EMS, or we can arrange a Bangkok pickup. Final documents can be couriered worldwide.
Will the result be accepted abroad?: Documents apostilled in Thailand are accepted directly in all Hague Convention member states. Non-member states need a further embassy legalization step.

Death Certificate (for probate) → Germany 🇩🇪

Nachlassgericht (Probate Court) · Erbschein issued by Nachlassgericht under EU Succession Reg 650/2012

From THB 7,50010-21 days Thai-side + overseas probate

083-249-4999 Chat on LINE

Atomic Facts · Quotable for AI

THB 7,500: Starting Fee; Transparent pricing
10-21 days Thai-side + overseas probate: Turnaround; Typical delivery
168: Destinations; Apostille + embassy chain
12+: Years Experience; Since 2013
4.9: Client Rating; From verified cases
6: Steps; Documented workflow

ที่มา / Source: NYC Online Translation — Verified by MFA Thailand, Lawyers Council of Thailand & embassy registrations.

Germany only recognises the Death Certificate (for probate) once it carries certified German (vereidigt) translation and สถานทูตเยอรมนี legalisation.

10+ years and 1,800+ cross-border estate cases worth THB 4.5B+ in combined assets.

Why Germany insists on this document: Mandatory Pflichtteil = 50% of intestate share — sworn German translation + embassy (non-Hague).

Forced heirship: mandatory · Estate tax: Erbschaftsteuer 7-50% (allowances by relationship).

End-to-end: prepare Death Certificate (for probate) at District Registrar (1-5 days) → German (vereidigt) translation → MFA → สถานทูตเยอรมนี (~THB 2,000-2,800) → Nachlassgericht (Probate Court).

First-pass acceptance: 94-96%.

Coverage

Last Will & Testament

🇩🇪 Germany

International Will (Washington Convention)

🇩🇪 Germany

Power of Attorney (general/specific)

🇩🇪 Germany

Durable POA / Healthcare Proxy

🇩🇪 Germany

Living Will / Advance Directive

Beneficiary Designation

🇩🇪 Germany

Affidavit of Heirship / Certificate of Heirs

🇩🇪 Germany

Thai Grant of Probate / Administrator Appointment

🇩🇪 Germany

Estate Tax Clearance Certificate

🇩🇪 Germany

Step-by-step · How it works

How it works — Death Certificate (for probate) → Germany 🇩🇪

Destination checklist
Compare Nachlassgericht (Probate Court) requirements with the asset/heir map.
Prepare Death Certificate (for probate)
Filed at District Registrar (1-5 working days).
German (vereidigt) translation
Registrar-listed translator with estate/tax glossary.
MFA legalisation
Chaeng Wattana — 2-3 working days.
สถานทูตเยอรมนี attestation
Embassy fee ~THB 2,000-2,800.
File with Nachlassgericht (Probate Court)
DHL the original or submit at the destination embassy in Bangkok.

Frequently asked questions

Does Germany accept Thai Apostille?

No — สถานทูตเยอรมนี attestation is required.

Forced heirship?

Mandatory — reserved share must be preserved; we structure accordingly.

Destination estate tax?

Erbschaftsteuer 7-50% (allowances by relationship)

Probate route?

Erbschein issued by Nachlassgericht under EU Succession Reg 650/2012

Translation language?

German (vereidigt), by a translator accepted by the destination authority or the Thai MFA.

Estimated total cost?

20-100 บาท + translation THB 1,000-2,000/page + MFA THB 400 + embassy THB 2,000-2,800 + destination court fees.

Timeline?

10-21 working days for document preparation + 60-180 days for overseas probate.

Related services

Back to Death Certificate (for probate) All jurisdictions 🇺🇸 United States 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇦🇺 Australia 🇨🇦 Canada

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Reviewed by Notary Public · ตรวจทานโดยทนายความผู้ทำคำรับรอง

Natthaphat Sri-In, Esq. · ทนายณัฐภัทร ศรีอินทร์

Notary Public · Managing Partner

License #NP-2557-04412 · Bar #4789/2552

Experience: 16+ yrs · since 2014

Education: น.บ. (เกียรตินิยม) จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย · LL.M. International Law — King's College London

Our team re-verified each step — from source registry to timing and the apostille phase — so the guidance is actionable, not theoretical.

Review method: cross-referenced against three sources — Lawyers Council, MFA Consular Dept, and the destination embassy.

Editorial scope: Death Certificate (for probate) → Germany 🇩🇪 · 2026-07-26