Death Certificate (for probate) → United States 🇺🇸
Surrogate's / Probate Court (state) · Petition → Grant of Probate → Inventory → Distribution
To administer or plan an estate touching United States, the Death Certificate (for probate) must be translated into English and Apostilled — destination route: Petition → Grant of Probate → Inventory → Distribution.
Dedicated runners at the Land Department, Civil Court (Ratchada), MFA Chaeng Wattana, and every Bangkok embassy.
Why United States insists on this document: Apostille + certified English — Living Will must follow state-specific format.
Forced heirship: none · Estate tax: Federal Estate Tax 40% (>$13.61M).
End-to-end: prepare Death Certificate (for probate) at District Registrar (1-5 days) → English translation → MFA → Apostille → Surrogate's / Probate Court (state).
First-pass acceptance: 94-96%.
Coverage
How it works
- 1
Destination checklist
Compare Surrogate's / Probate Court (state) requirements with the asset/heir map.
- 2
Prepare Death Certificate (for probate)
Filed at District Registrar (1-5 working days).
- 3
English translation
Registrar-listed translator with estate/tax glossary.
- 4
MFA legalisation
Chaeng Wattana — 2-3 working days.
- 5
Apostille
MFA Apostille route.
- 6
File with Surrogate's / Probate Court (state)
DHL the original or submit at the destination embassy in Bangkok.
Frequently asked questions
Does United States accept Thai Apostille?
Yes — MFA Apostille suffices.
Forced heirship?
None — testamentary freedom applies.
Destination estate tax?
Federal Estate Tax 40% (>$13.61M)
Probate route?
Petition → Grant of Probate → Inventory → Distribution
Translation language?
English, 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 + free Apostille + destination court fees.
Timeline?
10-21 working days for document preparation + 60-180 days for overseas probate.