Certified Translation by Notary

Notarize translations in all world languages

Notarial verification of translation accuracy — co-signed with a registered translator. We support all major world languages (English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Arabic) plus rarer languages (Burmese, Khmer, Lao, Vietnamese, Hindi, Bahasa, Persian, Turkish).

DBD ทะเบียน 0435567000061 ขึ้นทะเบียนกรมการกงสุล สภาทนายความฯ · 6 Notary NAATI Certified ตอบใน 15 นาที
  • ฿1,000
    Starting fee
  • From 15 min
    Turnaround
  • 6
    Notaries Public
  • 77 provinces · 50 districts
    Coverage

About this service

Translation of official documents for overseas use must be notarized — confirming the translator is registered and the translation matches the original.

The Notary reviews the translation with the registered translator, signs and seals the certification, and attaches a copy of the translator's identity document.

We cover all world languages — major (English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Arabic) and rarer (Burmese, Khmer, Lao, Vietnamese, Hindi, Turkish, Persian, Bahasa).

Sample documents we certify

  • Birth & Marriage Certificate (translate + certify)
  • Thai → English official documents
  • Foreign documents → Thai
  • Legal documents with certified translation

Legal basis

A valid certification must state the date, time, place and Notary registration number, along with the official seal of the Lawyers Council.

Notarial Services Attorneys in Thailand operate under the Lawyers Council Regulation on the Registration of Notarial Services Attorneys B.E. 2551 and its subsequent amendments.

Thailand has not yet fully acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents going abroad must be legalized through the full consular chain.

Clients based overseas can use Online Video Notarization (RON) — accepted by an increasing number of destination jurisdictions.

Every Notarial Services Attorney must complete the official training course of the Lawyers Council of Thailand and hold an active, unsuspended practising certificate.

Who needs this service

  • SMEs opening foreign bank accounts, registering trademarks abroad, or signing distribution agreements.
  • Students and parents submitting scholarship documents, transcripts and recommendation letters to overseas universities.
  • Families managing inheritance, land, or bank accounts of persons abroad.
  • Foreign-pension recipients (German Rentenversicherung, French CNAV, Australian Centrelink, Japan NPS) submitting life certificates.
  • Applicants for marriage, family, study, and skilled-work visas in Common Law jurisdictions.
  • Foreign investors registering Thai companies or sending Thai corporate documents to overseas authorities.

Our process

  1. 1
    Return shipping and digital copies
    Documents are returned via EMS / DHL with digitally signed PDF copies for your records.
  2. 2
    Identity & process briefing
    Signers attend in person at our office, on Mobile Notary, or via Online Video Notary with their original passport / ID.
  3. 3
    MFA + Embassy legalization (if needed)
    Our Legalization desk handles the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and destination embassy end-to-end.
  4. 4
    Signing and oath before the Notary
    The Notary reads the certificate, checks the form, witnesses the signature and logs the act in the Notary register.
  5. 5
    Booking and draft review
    Send drafts via LINE / Email so our team can check spelling, Jurat form and completeness before the appointment.
  6. 6
    Sealing, register number and receipt
    Documents receive the Lawyers Council seal with register number, date, time and place of certification.

Documents to prepare

  • Original of the document to be certified — the Notary must compare against any copy.
  • Company Affidavit dated within the last 90 days — the Notary cross-checks against the DBD database.
  • Original passport or national ID — unexpired and with a clear photo.
  • House registration (Tabien Baan) — required for wills, probate and estate matters.
  • Power of Attorney (if the client cannot attend) — with ID copies of both grantor and attorney-in-fact.
  • Professional licence — for regulated professions (doctors, engineers, architects).

Service timeline options

Same-Day Notary
Completed on the appointment day — for single urgent documents
Notary + MFA Express
2 business days — including expedited Consular Legalization
One-Stop Standard
5-7 business days — Notary + MFA + Embassy with return shipping
Special Embassies (China, UAE, Saudi)
7-14 business days depending on destination embassy queue
Online Video Notary (RON)
30-60 minutes with original-document dispatch within 24-48 hours

Real client case studies

Japanese client buying a Bangkok condo

A Tokyo-based client needed to delegate authority to a Bangkok attorney for a THB 18M condo purchase. NYC arranged Online Video Notarization between Tokyo and Bangkok, then completed MFA + Japan Embassy legalization within 4 business days. The client never had to fly to Thailand, saving both time and cost.

Cross-border divorce filing

A Thai woman divorcing an Australian spouse needed Statutory Declarations and Consent Forms for the Australian Family Court. NYC coordinated with an Australian solicitor on the correct forms, then handled Notary + DFA + Australia Embassy in 6 days.

SME exporter shipping seafood to China

A frozen-seafood exporter needed Certificate of Origin and Health Certificate notarized + MFA + China Embassy. Our team handled every document and forwarded them to a Shanghai customs broker within 4 business days.

PhD candidate applying to a US scholarship

A student needed to submit Transcript, Diploma, Recommendation Letters and Financial Affidavit to Columbia University. We prepared each document for Notarization, then routed through MFA + US Embassy — completed in a single round within 5 business days to meet the scholarship deadline.

International usage

DestinationUsage
AustraliaNotary + DFAT + Australia Embassy — supports NAATI translations, Partner Visa Subclass 309/820
UAENotary + MFA + UAE Embassy — Free Zone Setup, trade licences in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
JapanNotary + MFA + Japan Embassy — real estate and inheritance in Tokyo and Osaka
United KingdomNotary + MFA + UK Embassy — used for Spouse Visa, Skilled Worker Visa, probate
United StatesNotary + MFA + US Embassy — used for Affidavit of Support, I-130, I-864, real estate closings
SingaporeNotary + MFA + Singapore High Commission — ACRA filings, EP, S-Pass

Multi-language support

Major languages: Thai, English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, Dutch.

Specialty languages: Burmese, Khmer, Lao, Vietnamese, Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, Turkish, Persian, Bahasa Indonesia, Tagalog, Finnish, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian.

All translators are registered with embassies and the Department of Consular Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) — guaranteeing acceptance by government bodies in Thailand and abroad.

Sworn Translation services for jurisdictions that require Sworn Translators — Spain, Brazil, Poland, and Latin American countries.

Quality standards & assurance

  • Every document passes 3 checkpoints: translator, proofreader, and Notary attorney before sealing.
  • Digital copies with digital signature are stored in encrypted, access-controlled storage for 7 years.
  • Notary registration numbers are verifiable against the Lawyers Council of Thailand register — clients can confirm authenticity themselves.
  • Professional Indemnity Insurance up to THB 10M covers losses from certification errors.
  • Data handling complies with PDPA and GDPR — documents are securely destroyed at end of retention.

Deep dive: legal context & practice

Why Thai Notaries operate differently from Common Law Notaries

Thailand follows a Civil Law tradition rooted in codified statutes, while the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom operate under Common Law where judicial precedent shapes legal practice. Notaries in Common Law jurisdictions are typically commissioned officers whose sole role is to witness signatures and administer oaths. In Thailand, by contrast, every Notarial Services Attorney is already a fully qualified lawyer holding an active practising certificate from the Lawyers Council, with additional Notary-specific training. This dual qualification means our Notaries can advise on substantive legal issues and certify the resulting documents in the same appointment, saving clients the time and cost of coordinating between separate counsel and a Notary.

How MFA and embassies fit into the legalization chain

Once a Notary has signed and sealed a document, the next step is authentication by the Department of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chaeng Watthana. This authentication confirms that the signing Notary is a registered practising lawyer. The document is then submitted to the destination country's embassy in Bangkok, where embassy officials verify that the Thai MFA is the legitimate authority that authenticated the Notary. This three-step legalization chain is mandatory for countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention — Thailand included — and skipping any step almost always results in rejection by the receiving authority abroad.

Personal data protection in the notarization workflow

Documents submitted for notarization often contain sensitive personal data — national identification numbers, bank account details, medical histories. The NYC team complies with Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act (B.E. 2562) and, for EU clients, with the GDPR. All client data is stored in encrypted, access-controlled cloud storage, every staff member signs an NDA and completes data-protection training twice a year, and physical originals are destroyed in DIN P-4 (or higher) shredders at the end of the retention period. Clients can also exercise their right to erasure at any time after their matter closes, and we issue a written destruction certificate on request.

The difference between Apostille and Consular Legalization

An Apostille is a standardized certificate issued by a central competent authority in the originating country, valid in any of the 126 countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. Thailand has not yet fully acceded to the Convention, so documents originating in Thailand still require Consular Legalization — a slower and more expensive process that involves both MFA authentication and embassy legalization. If Thailand accedes to the Convention (a step currently under active consideration by the Thai government), the workflow will shrink to Notary plus Apostille, cutting end-to-end turnaround by an estimated 60-70 percent and reducing per-document costs by a comparable margin.

Pricing structure

Fees start at THB 500 per document for standard true-copy certification and reach approximately THB 8,000 for complex trust or real-estate matters.

Possible add-ons: translation (from THB 500/page), MFA Consular legalization (THB 200-400), destination embassy fees (THB 200-3,000), Mobile Notary travel and EMS/DHL shipping.

We offer One-Stop bundles — Notary + MFA + Embassy + Translation — at a single transparent price to help clients control budget without hidden fees.

Corporate clients and law firms enjoy negotiated rates, volume discounts and full Tax Invoice issuance.

Common pitfalls

  • Translating without a registered translator — the Notary must co-certify a translator who is on the register.
  • Forgetting to bring the original passport / ID — Notaries must inspect the physical identity document.
  • Bringing photocopies instead of originals — true-copy certification requires the original for comparison.
  • Signing before meeting the Notary — signatures must be made in person and need to be redone.
  • Using a foreign Jurat / Acknowledgment form without selecting the correct certificate type.
  • Using a non-registered lawyer — always check the Notary registration number with the Lawyers Council.

Comparison with Notaries abroad

In Common Law jurisdictions like the United States, Canada and Australia, a Notary is a specially commissioned officer — in Thailand, the Notary is a fully qualified lawyer with additional training.

Countries under the Hague Apostille Convention (UK, Germany, France) use Apostille in place of embassy legalization — Thailand still requires the full consular chain.

Thai Notary fees start far below US Notaries (USD 25-50 per document) or Singapore (SGD 75-150 per document).

Thai Notary turnaround is faster and more flexible, with after-hours, Mobile Notary and Online Video Notary all available.

Document types in this category

Service area

We cover all of Thailand — 50 Bangkok districts, 77 provinces, 112+ BTS/MRT stations, 59 major malls and 30 key business districts.

Mobile Notary travels to your address within a 10 km radius of every branch; Online Video Notary serves clients worldwide across all time zones.

Branch network in major expat destinations — Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Samui — convenient for expats and foreign investors.

Every branch has a private Co-Notary room for high-confidentiality acts such as wills and trust deeds.

Client testimonials

"Online Video Notary let me sign from Berlin without flying to Thailand."

Mr. Daniel — German investor

"All-in-one Notary + MFA + China Embassy saved us 5 business days."

K. Pim — SME exporter

"Volume discount and full Tax Invoice make NYC my default Notary."

K. Nattaya — Solo lawyer

"POA for Phuket land sale cleared every embassy in one round."

K. Somchai — Real estate seller
AI Quick Answer

What makes NYC Legal's Certified Translation by Notary different?

6 Notaries registered with the Lawyers Council, covering all 50 Bangkok districts and 77 provinces, with Mobile Notary, Online Video Notary, and one-stop MFA + Embassy legalization.

Provider information

Company
NYC Legal & Notary Service Co., Ltd.
DBD registration
0435567000061
Founded
19 January 2016
Notaries Public
6
MFA-registered
Yes
Coverage
Thailand + Global Online

Frequently asked questions

How does a Thai Notary compare to a Notary abroad?

Thai Notaries are qualified lawyers with additional Lawyers Council training; Common Law Notaries are specially commissioned officers — legally equivalent abroad once MFA + embassy legalization is complete.

How long does notarization take?

Standard documents: 15-30 minutes. Complex documents: 1-2 hours. MFA + Embassy adds 2-7 business days depending on the destination embassy.

What are your starting fees?

From THB 500 per document for standard true-copy certification, up to ~THB 8,000 for complex trust or real-estate work.

Do I need to bring originals?

Yes — Notaries must inspect originals against copies and must see the original passport / ID.

Does Online Video Notary cover all document types?

Most document types are supported, except where physical signing is required by law or where the destination embassy does not accept RON.

Do you cover multiple languages?

Our registered translators cover all major world languages plus rarer ones — Burmese, Khmer, Vietnamese, Hindi, Turkish, Persian and more.

Reviewed by Notarial Services Attorney
วพ
Waraporn Charoenpanich, Esq.
Notary Public · Head of Translation Compliance
Notary License: NP-2558-05121 · Bar #5102/2554 · Experience 14+ yrs

Head of translation compliance, responsible for legal-translation quality control for leading banks and insurance companies, with oversight of more than 12,000 certified pages per year.

Full service playbook — Notarial Services Attorney (Thailand)

Thailand has no common-law Notary Public. The equivalent is a Notarial Services Attorney, a lawyer certified and registered by the Lawyers Council of Thailand, whose certificates are accepted by most overseas authorities.

Responsible authority: Notarial Services Attorney registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand

Documents to prepare

  • Original passport or Thai ID of every signatory (shown in person)
  • The original document to be certified, all pages included
  • The photocopy to be certified, if you need a certified true copy
  • Any destination-specific form or power of attorney template
  • Company affidavit issued within 6 months plus director ID, for corporate files
  • An English translation where the source document is in Thai

Step-by-step process

  1. 1. Classify the certificate requiredsame day

    Decide between signature witnessing, certified true copy, affidavit/oath, or certification of translation — the wording differs for each.

  2. 2. Attend and sign before the attorney15–30 minutes

    Signatories sign in person with original ID; corporate files need the director named on the company affidavit.

  3. 3. Attorney signs, seals and logs the registersame day

    A certificate is attached to the document and entered in the register kept under Lawyers Council rules.

  4. 4. Proofread before use1 business day

    Verify names, dates, page count and binding against the destination's instructions.

  5. 5. Escalate to MFA or embassy if required3–10 business days

    If the destination expects consular legalisation, forward immediately so the file does not age out.

Practitioner tips

  • Ask the destination whether a Thai Notarial Services Attorney is accepted directly or must be followed by MFA legalisation.
  • Certify multiple documents in one sitting to keep register numbers sequential and traceable.
  • Check the destination's freshness rule first; many accept documents issued within the last 3–6 months only.
  • Scan every page to 300 dpi colour PDF before the originals leave your hands, in case a re-submission is required.
  • Confirm whether the destination wants an original or a certified copy — the two follow different routes.

Cautions

  • An attorney cannot certify a signature that was not made in their presence.
  • Certification confirms the signature or the copy, not the truth of the content.
  • Do not write on, amend, or correction-fluid an official document; request a fresh copy from the issuing office instead.
  • Never unstaple or re-bind a certified bundle — breaking the seal usually voids it and restarts the process.
  • Unsigned translations cannot be certified — the certifying office will refuse to stamp them.

DIY vs NYC handling it

TaskDo it yourselfNYC handles it
Checking destination rulesYou read checklists and call around yourselfWe verify the current requirements and hand you one list
Multi-agency runningSeveral days off work, different queues and hoursWe run the whole chain end to end for you
Translation and certificationYou source a translator and risk rejectionTranslated, double-checked and certified in one package
Errors and re-filingOne mistake restarts the whole chainPre-submission checks at every stage reduce rejections
TrackingYou chase the status by phoneStage-by-stage updates on LINE with photo evidence

Prefer not to run it yourself? NYC can handle the whole chain

Every step above can be done alone, but it means several agencies, mismatched queues, and one mistake restarting the sequence. Our attorneys and translators cover requirement checks, document re-issue, certified translation and MFA or embassy legalisation, with status updates at each stage. Send photos of your documents for a free assessment first.

Compare the options before you decide

Thailand's notarial attorney vs a foreign Notary Public

Thailand has no Notary Public office in the international sense. Equivalent work is performed by a Notarial Services Attorney licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand.

AspectThailand: notarial attorneyAbroad: Notary Public
Who is authorisedAn attorney licensed for notarial services by the Lawyers CouncilA notary appointed by the state or a court
ScopeSignature certification, true copies, affidavits and translations where the law allowsVaries by jurisdiction
Usual next stepFile with the Department of Consular Affairs, then Apostille or embassyUsually the country's own central authority
In-person requiredYes — you sign in front of the certifying attorneyGenerally yes

Where the receiving body uses its own terminology, follow that wording rather than claiming an equivalent title.

Apostille route vs embassy legalisation route

The destination country decides whether a file ends at an Apostille or still needs the embassy. Confirm the country's convention status first: the two routes use a different order and different paperwork.

AspectApostille routeEmbassy legalisation route
When it appliesDestination is a party to the Apostille ConventionDestination does not accept an Apostille
Final authorityDepartment of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe destination country's embassy or consulate in Thailand
Typical number of stepsFewer — the chain ends at the central authorityMore — central authority first, then the embassy
Approximate timeframeShorter, still subject to the authority's queueLonger, because the embassy appointment queue is added
Common rejection causeTranslation does not match the original, or the copy was not issued by the authorityThe embassy's own form or language requirement was not followed

Verify the current convention status and embassy conditions before filing.

Filing it yourself vs letting NYC run the chain

Every step can be done alone. This table compares the real workload of each option so the decision rests on time and rejection risk rather than marketing claims.

AspectDo it yourselfNYC handles it
Checking destination rulesRead each authority's notice yourself and confirm by phoneChecked before you start, with the order the receiving authority accepts
TravelSeveral agencies with queues that rarely line up in one dayDocuments move by courier or online except where the law requires you in person
Rejection riskOne mismatch — a name spelled differently from the passport — restarts the chainNames, dates and stamps are cross-checked before every filing
Status trackingYou follow up with each authorityStatus updates at each stage, and we handle the fix if a file is returned
Advisory roleNo one to compare options when your case falls outside the manualYou get advice on the options before work starts, not just execution

Government fees and timeframes change; ask for an assessment of your own case before you start.

What the common mistakes actually cost

Almost every failure in notarial signature certification by a licensed attorney happens during preparation, not at the counter, and the real cost is the TIME needed to repeat the chain. Below is what each mistake comes from, how long it typically adds, and how to avoid it.

MistakeWhy it happensTime costHow to prevent it
Booking the wrong service channel or appointment typeEach channel has its own queue and document conditions; the wrong one means booking again.Typically adds 2–14 working days depending on appointment availability that month.Confirm the service type and the appointment date in advance and keep at least one spare week.
Using an old copy instead of a freshly issued oneMany destinations accept documents issued within the last 3–6 months only, and some require a clean, legibly sealed reissue.Typically adds 5–15 working days for the trip back to the district registrar.Check the destination's freshness rule first, then request several certified copies in a single visit.
Filing an incomplete set — missing an ID copy or a power of attorneyCompleteness is checked at the counter; an incomplete file is not accepted at all.Typically adds 1–5 working days per return trip.Work from a written checklist and re-check it before leaving, including every copy that needs a signature.
The name in the translation does not match the passport spellingReceiving authorities compare character by character; a single different letter reads as a different person.Typically adds 3–10 working days, because the translation has to be redone and the whole chain repeated.Send the passport page on day one and have the translator take the spelling from the passport, never from the Thai document.
Self-translating, or using a translator the destination does not recogniseSome countries accept only registered translators, others only translations certified by a Thai government body.Typically adds 4–10 working days for a fresh translation and a restarted chain.Ask the destination exactly which form of translation it accepts, then match the translator to that form from the start.

Deep timeline: what can run in parallel

The windows below are approximate and depend on each authority's queue. Stages marked as parallel can start alongside the previous stage — that is where the total calendar time is actually reduced.

  1. 1. Document review and certificate wordingsame day

    We confirm whether you need a signature certification, a true-copy certification, or a statement of fact — each uses different wording.

  2. 2. Signing appointment in person1–2 working days

    The signatory must appear with an original ID or passport at the moment of signing.

  3. 3. Certificate issued and sealedsame day

    The certificate is issued with a register number and logged under Lawyers Council rules.

  4. 4. Onward legalisation, if the destination requires it3–10 working dayscan run in parallel

    For overseas use the file may still pass the consular department and then the embassy, in that order.

Note: all windows are general estimates, not guarantees. Actual timing depends on how complete your file is and on the queues at the authorities involved.

We work as advisers, not only as a document-running agency

Our team has worked on documents, translation and legalisation for more than 15 years, combining notarial attorneys licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand with translators the receiving authorities accept. Every case starts with advice on the correct route and only then moves to execution — we do not simply run whatever is handed to us.

Before we start — mapping the document route

We confirm whether your file ends at an Apostille or still needs the embassy, whether a freshly issued copy is required, and which form of translation the receiving authority accepts. This is where most time is saved, because it is where most people choose wrongly and restart.

While preparing — consistency checks

We match the spelling of your name against the passport, check the issue date against the validity window the destination applies, verify stamps and signatures, and confirm the translation matches the original line by line.

While filing — coordination with the authorities

We file in the order each authority expects, follow the queue, and report status as it moves. If an authority asks for more paperwork, you hear about it immediately, together with the options for fixing it.

After delivery — practical guidance

We explain which bodies this set can be filed with, how to store the originals, and how many certified sets to request up front if you expect to use them again, so you do not repeat the whole chain later.

Cases where advice up front changes the outcome

  • The applicant is upcountry or abroad, so the power of attorney and courier plan must be arranged carefully.
  • Documents are needed for several countries at once, each with a different order of certification.
  • The name on an older document does not match the current passport because of a name change or a different transliteration.
  • Documents have a limited validity window and every item must still be valid on the day of filing.

If you are unsure which route your case takes, send photos of the documents and name the destination country or authority. We map the sequence and the paperwork first; you then decide whether to run it yourself or hand it over.

ประเด็นสำคัญที่ต้องรู้

คำถามที่พบบ่อย

Will the Notary result be accepted abroad?
It depends on the destination. Hague Convention member states accept an apostille directly; non-member states need an additional embassy legalization step.
What does the Notary fee include?
Professional service fee, government fees at official rates, domestic EMS, and international courier where applicable — each listed separately in the quote.
How long does Notary take?
Standard turnaround is 5-7 business days; rush is 1-3 business days, counted from receipt of complete originals.
What do you need to start Notary?
A photo or scan of the original plus the destination country and receiving authority. We review it free of charge and reply with the shortest valid routing.

Notary — Category Area

"Notary" sits inside our Notary Public Services in Thailand practice and is handled end-to-end: feasibility check, source-document review, certified translation, sequential certification with the relevant Thai authority, and dispatch of a file the receiving office will actually accept. For clients based in Category, we accept originals by courier or arrange a scheduled pickup. Files are signed off by an attorney registered as a Notarial Services Attorney with the Lawyers Council of Thailand, working alongside Ministry of Justice-recognized translators and our consular liaison desk. Fees are itemized before work begins: professional service fee, government fees, domestic EMS, and international courier (DHL/FedEx). Choose standard turnaround of 5-7 business days or rush turnaround of 1-3 business days.

Notary — service overview

  • "Notary" sits inside our Notary Public Services in Thailand practice and is handled end-to-end: feasibility check, source-document review, certified translation, sequential certification with the relevant Thai authority, and dispatch of a file the receiving office will actually accept.
  • For clients based in Category, we accept originals by courier or arrange a scheduled pickup. Files are signed off by an attorney registered as a Notarial Services Attorney with the Lawyers Council of Thailand, working alongside Ministry of Justice-recognized translators and our consular liaison desk.
  • Fees are itemized before work begins: professional service fee, government fees, domestic EMS, and international courier (DHL/FedEx). Choose standard turnaround of 5-7 business days or rush turnaround of 1-3 business days.

Documents required for Notary

  • Original document required for Notary (or a freshly issued certified copy within its 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

Notary: the working sequence

  • 1. Send scanned copies of the Notary source documents via LINE/email for a free initial review.
  • 2. We confirm eligibility and issue a written quote with a committed 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 each Thai authority in the order the destination accepts.
  • 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.

Notary: how long and how much

  • Standard turnaround for Notary: 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.

Notary: common pitfalls and how to avoid them

  • Skipping MFA legalization before the embassy step — this costs multiple trips and several weeks.
  • Using a translator without an official seal — the MFA and embassies will not accept it, and the chain restarts.
  • Submitting an uncertified photocopy instead of the original — the receiving office will not review it and you rejoin the queue.
  • Name mismatch between the document and the passport — embassies reject these. Correct it at the district office before translating.

FAQ

Will the Notary result be accepted abroad?
It depends on the destination. Hague Convention member states accept an apostille directly; non-member states need an additional embassy legalization step.
What does the Notary fee include?
Professional service fee, government fees at official rates, domestic EMS, and international courier where applicable — each listed separately in the quote.
How long does Notary take?
Standard turnaround is 5-7 business days; rush is 1-3 business days, counted from receipt of complete originals.
What do you need to start Notary?
A photo or scan of the original plus the destination country and receiving authority. We review it free of charge and reply with the shortest valid routing.

Notary Public in Thailand — In-Depth Practitioner Guide

Notary Public lawyer sealing certified documents at a Bangkok law office
Editorial illustration (AI-generated, editorially reviewed — no real persons or brand logos depicted).

Regulatory & Standards Citations

  • สภาทนายความในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์ระเบียบว่าด้วยการรับรองลายมือชื่อและเอกสาร (Notarial Services Attorney) พ.ศ. 2546 และที่แก้ไข [source]
  • Hague Conference on Private International LawConvention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention) [source]
  • กรมการกงสุล กระทรวงการต่างประเทศแนวปฏิบัติการรับรองเอกสารเพื่อใช้ในต่างประเทศ [source]

Common Pitfalls (From Field Experience)

  • Signing before arriving at the notary — the signatory must physically sign in the notary's presence.
  • Using an expired passport or ID on the day of notarization voids the certification.
  • Self-translating documents rather than using a Ministry of Justice–listed translator often causes rejection abroad.
  • Conflating Notary with Apostille — Thailand is not (yet) a Hague Apostille state, so documents still require MFA + destination-embassy legalization.

Decision Tree

ประเทศปลายทางเป็นสมาชิก Hague Apostille?
Yes → ยังต้องรับรอง MFA ก่อน (ไทยยังไม่ใช่ภาคี — ทำ Legalization chain แทน Apostille)
No → ทำ Notary → MFA → สถานทูตปลายทาง
เอกสารเป็นสำเนา (copy) หรือต้นฉบับ?
Yes → ใช้ 'Certified True Copy' notarization
No → ใช้ 'Signature Witnessing' หรือ 'Affidavit' notarization
ต้องใช้ภาษาอังกฤษที่ปลายทาง?
Yes → แปลก่อน → นักแปลรับรอง → Notary รับรองลายมือชื่อนักแปล
No → Notary ต้นฉบับภาษาไทยได้ แต่ปลายทางอาจขอแปล

Options Compared

OptionBest forTimelineCost (THB)
Notary Public (ทนายโนตารี)ยืนยันตัวตน / สำเนาถูกต้อง / ลายมือชื่อ1 วัน1,000–2,500 / ฉบับ
MFA Legalizationรับรองเพื่อใช้ต่างประเทศ (ไม่ใช่ Apostille)2–4 วันทำการ (ปกติ) / 1 วัน (ด่วน)200 (ปกติ) / 400 (ด่วน) ต่อฉบับ
Embassy Legalizationขั้นสุดท้ายก่อนใช้ในประเทศปลายทางขึ้นกับสถานทูต (1–15 วัน)500–5,000 / ฉบับ

Scope of work: Notary Public / Notarial Services Attorney

Signature witnessing, certified true copies, affidavits and translation certification by a Thai Notarial Services Attorney, for documents used by overseas authorities or counterparties.

This service fits you when

  • You must sign a contract, power of attorney or overseas form that says it has to be notarised
  • You need certified copies of a passport, ID card or degree for a job, study or overseas bank application
  • You need an affidavit or statutory declaration in the wording the receiving side requires
  • You want a lawyer's certification attached to a translation before it goes to the MFA or an embassy

When another route is the right one

  • If the destination asks for an Apostille or consular legalisation, notarisation alone is not enough — we map the full chain
  • Thai civil records such as birth certificates usually need translation plus MFA certification, not notarisation
  • If the destination is Australia and wants a NAATI translator, the NAATI route applies instead

What the service includes

  • Checking the destination's requirement first and choosing the correct certificate type
  • Formatting the document and drafting the jurat / acknowledgement wording
  • Booking the in-person signing with the attorney and verifying photo ID
  • Seal, signature and register number issued under Lawyers Council rules
  • High-resolution scans sent first, originals couriered to your address

What is not included

  • Government and courier fees charged by the receiving authority (billed at cost, always quoted before we start)
  • Any guarantee of approval by a government office or embassy — that decision stays with the officer in charge
  • Sourcing original documents that only you can request in person

Not sure which route your case belongs to? Tell us the destination and the deadline — our advisers have handled these files for more than 15 years and will confirm the correct sequence and exact documents before you spend anything.

Notary Public process and required documents

Notarial work is usually completed within one business day; the signer must appear in person with original documents before the notarial services attorney.

Step-by-step process

  1. 1Pre-check your fileSend a scan and tell us the destination country/authority so we can confirm the correct certificate type (signature, true copy, affidavit or translation certification).
  2. 2Format and draft the certificateWe lay out the document, add the correct jurat or acknowledgement wording and mark where you must sign in front of the attorney.
  3. 3Sign in personThe signer presents an original ID or passport and signs before the attorney at our office or at an agreed location.
  4. 4Seal and registerThe attorney signs, seals and records the certificate number so the notarisation can be verified later.
  5. 5Continue the chain if neededIf the destination requires it, we carry the file through MFA legalization and embassy attestation, or prepare the apostille set, so you never queue yourself.

Documents you need to prepare

  • The original document (scan in advance, original on signing day)
  • Original ID card or passport of every signer
  • For companies: company affidavit issued within 6 months plus a power of attorney
  • The destination country and authority the document is filed with

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Do not sign in advance — signature certification requires signing before the attorney.
  • A Thai notarial attorney certifies signatures and copies, not the truth of the content.
  • Some countries require MFA and embassy steps afterwards; check the chain before you start.

Prefer not to handle the queues, forms and re-submissions yourself? Our team has run these files for more than 15 years — we advise on the right route first, then complete every step for you end to end. Message us and we will confirm the exact documents for your case.

Compare the options before you decide

Thailand's notarial attorney vs a foreign Notary Public

Thailand has no Notary Public office in the international sense. Equivalent work is performed by a Notarial Services Attorney licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand.

AspectThailand: notarial attorneyAbroad: Notary Public
Who is authorisedAn attorney licensed for notarial services by the Lawyers CouncilA notary appointed by the state or a court
ScopeSignature certification, true copies, affidavits and translations where the law allowsVaries by jurisdiction
Usual next stepFile with the Department of Consular Affairs, then Apostille or embassyUsually the country's own central authority
In-person requiredYes — you sign in front of the certifying attorneyGenerally yes

Where the receiving body uses its own terminology, follow that wording rather than claiming an equivalent title.

Apostille route vs embassy legalisation route

The destination country decides whether a file ends at an Apostille or still needs the embassy. Confirm the country's convention status first: the two routes use a different order and different paperwork.

AspectApostille routeEmbassy legalisation route
When it appliesDestination is a party to the Apostille ConventionDestination does not accept an Apostille
Final authorityDepartment of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe destination country's embassy or consulate in Thailand
Typical number of stepsFewer — the chain ends at the central authorityMore — central authority first, then the embassy
Approximate timeframeShorter, still subject to the authority's queueLonger, because the embassy appointment queue is added
Common rejection causeTranslation does not match the original, or the copy was not issued by the authorityThe embassy's own form or language requirement was not followed

Verify the current convention status and embassy conditions before filing.

Filing it yourself vs letting NYC run the chain

Every step can be done alone. This table compares the real workload of each option so the decision rests on time and rejection risk rather than marketing claims.

AspectDo it yourselfNYC handles it
Checking destination rulesRead each authority's notice yourself and confirm by phoneChecked before you start, with the order the receiving authority accepts
TravelSeveral agencies with queues that rarely line up in one dayDocuments move by courier or online except where the law requires you in person
Rejection riskOne mismatch — a name spelled differently from the passport — restarts the chainNames, dates and stamps are cross-checked before every filing
Status trackingYou follow up with each authorityStatus updates at each stage, and we handle the fix if a file is returned
Advisory roleNo one to compare options when your case falls outside the manualYou get advice on the options before work starts, not just execution

Government fees and timeframes change; ask for an assessment of your own case before you start.

5 mistakes that get notarised documents rejected abroad

Most problem files are not caused by the document itself, but by the order of steps and small identity details before signing.

  1. 1. Signing the document before meeting the attorney

    Why it matters: Signature notarisation must happen in front of the certifying attorney.

    How to avoid it: Bring the document unsigned and sign it at the appointment.

  2. 2. Expired ID or a name spelled differently across documents

    Why it matters: Identity must be verified from valid ID and the spelling must match exactly.

    How to avoid it: Check expiry dates and English name spelling across the whole set first.

  3. 3. Assuming a Thai notarial certification equals a foreign Notary Public

    Why it matters: Thailand uses Notarial Services Attorneys; some receivers ask for further legalisation.

    How to avoid it: Confirm with the receiving authority whether consular legalisation is also required.

  4. 4. Certifying a copy without presenting the original

    Why it matters: True-copy certification requires the physical original for comparison.

    How to avoid it: Always bring the original, even if scans were reviewed in advance.

  5. 5. Missing company documents when a director signs

    Why it matters: Signing authority must be evidenced or the certification can be challenged.

    How to avoid it: Bring a recent company affidavit plus the signatory's ID or passport.

Prefer not to manage these details yourself? Our team has advised on cases like this for more than 15 years — we confirm the correct route first, then handle every step for you. Message us and we will list exactly which documents your case needs.

What the common mistakes actually cost

Almost every failure in notarial signature certification by a licensed attorney happens during preparation, not at the counter, and the real cost is the TIME needed to repeat the chain. Below is what each mistake comes from, how long it typically adds, and how to avoid it.

MistakeWhy it happensTime costHow to prevent it
Self-translating, or using a translator the destination does not recogniseSome countries accept only registered translators, others only translations certified by a Thai government body.Typically adds 4–10 working days for a fresh translation and a restarted chain.Ask the destination exactly which form of translation it accepts, then match the translator to that form from the start.
The name in the translation does not match the passport spellingReceiving authorities compare character by character; a single different letter reads as a different person.Typically adds 3–10 working days, because the translation has to be redone and the whole chain repeated.Send the passport page on day one and have the translator take the spelling from the passport, never from the Thai document.
Using an old copy instead of a freshly issued oneMany destinations accept documents issued within the last 3–6 months only, and some require a clean, legibly sealed reissue.Typically adds 5–15 working days for the trip back to the district registrar.Check the destination's freshness rule first, then request several certified copies in a single visit.
Filing an incomplete set — missing an ID copy or a power of attorneyCompleteness is checked at the counter; an incomplete file is not accepted at all.Typically adds 1–5 working days per return trip.Work from a written checklist and re-check it before leaving, including every copy that needs a signature.
Booking the wrong service channel or appointment typeEach channel has its own queue and document conditions; the wrong one means booking again.Typically adds 2–14 working days depending on appointment availability that month.Confirm the service type and the appointment date in advance and keep at least one spare week.

Deep timeline: what can run in parallel

The windows below are approximate and depend on each authority's queue. Stages marked as parallel can start alongside the previous stage — that is where the total calendar time is actually reduced.

  1. 1. Document review and certificate wordingsame day

    We confirm whether you need a signature certification, a true-copy certification, or a statement of fact — each uses different wording.

  2. 2. Signing appointment in person1–2 working days

    The signatory must appear with an original ID or passport at the moment of signing.

  3. 3. Certificate issued and sealedsame day

    The certificate is issued with a register number and logged under Lawyers Council rules.

  4. 4. Onward legalisation, if the destination requires it3–10 working dayscan run in parallel

    For overseas use the file may still pass the consular department and then the embassy, in that order.

Note: all windows are general estimates, not guarantees. Actual timing depends on how complete your file is and on the queues at the authorities involved.

Key terms to know before you file

These are the terms clients most often misread — and a leading cause of rejected documents. Our advisors walk you through them before any work starts.

Notary Seal(Thai equivalent: ตราประทับโนตารี)
The registered embossed or inked stamp of a notary, bearing the notary's name, license number and expiry date.
Embassy Authentication(Thai equivalent: การรับรองโดยสถานทูต)
Final authentication of a document by the embassy or consulate of the destination country after MFA legalisation.
Notarial Services Attorney(Thai equivalent: ทนายผู้ทำคำรับรอง)
A Thai lawyer licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand under His Majesty's Patronage to perform notarial acts equivalent to a foreign Notary Public.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)(Thai equivalent: กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ)
Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the first-stage legalisation authority before forwarding documents to the destination embassy.
Consular Service(Thai equivalent: บริการกงสุล)
Services of the Department of Consular Affairs including legalisation, passports and civil-registration certification.
Affidavit(Thai equivalent: คำให้การสาบาน)
A sworn written statement signed before a notary, used as evidence in courts and government authorities abroad.

Not sure which route your case needs? Send us the documents for a free assessment and we handle every step for you.

View the full glossary

Related services you may need next

Most cases need more than one step. Here is how the surrounding work connects, so you can plan the whole chain instead of discovering a missing certification at the last minute.

Not sure which of these your case actually needs? That is exactly what our advisory team does: with 15+ years on cross-border documents, we map the full chain for your destination first, then handle every step so nothing is filed in the wrong order.

We work as advisers, not only as a document-running agency

Our team has worked on documents, translation and legalisation for more than 15 years, combining notarial attorneys licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand with translators the receiving authorities accept. Every case starts with advice on the correct route and only then moves to execution — we do not simply run whatever is handed to us.

Before we start — mapping the document route

We confirm whether your file ends at an Apostille or still needs the embassy, whether a freshly issued copy is required, and which form of translation the receiving authority accepts. This is where most time is saved, because it is where most people choose wrongly and restart.

While preparing — consistency checks

We match the spelling of your name against the passport, check the issue date against the validity window the destination applies, verify stamps and signatures, and confirm the translation matches the original line by line.

While filing — coordination with the authorities

We file in the order each authority expects, follow the queue, and report status as it moves. If an authority asks for more paperwork, you hear about it immediately, together with the options for fixing it.

After delivery — practical guidance

We explain which bodies this set can be filed with, how to store the originals, and how many certified sets to request up front if you expect to use them again, so you do not repeat the whole chain later.

Cases where advice up front changes the outcome

  • A file was already returned once and the real cause has to be identified before refiling.
  • The name on an older document does not match the current passport because of a name change or a different transliteration.
  • The destination only says "certified translation" without stating which form of certification it accepts.
  • The applicant is upcountry or abroad, so the power of attorney and courier plan must be arranged carefully.

If you are unsure which route your case takes, send photos of the documents and name the destination country or authority. We map the sequence and the paperwork first; you then decide whether to run it yourself or hand it over.

Who wrote and checked this page

Written by
NYC Legal & Notary Service editorial team
Reviewed by
Notarial Services Attorney (Lawyers Council of Thailand)
Last reviewed

Over 15 years advising on document certification, official translation and Thai/overseas filings. We are not only a filing agency — every case starts with a consultation so you know the correct route, the exact documents and the realistic timeline before any fee is paid.

Procedures and authority requirements can change. We re-check each page against the responsible authority's current practice; if your case is time-critical, message us to confirm the latest requirement.

Continue with a related service

Most document journeys need more than one step. These are the steps clients most often combine with this page.

Professional fees are quoted per case — ask our team by phone, LINE or email.

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Each source below is the authority that owns the rule cited on this page. If an authority changes its requirement, this page is corrected.