Certify a document or legal act exists at a given time
Certifying that a particular document or legal act exists at the time of notarization — frequently used to prove prior art in IP disputes, document state before litigation, or the existence of a will / instrument.
Certifying the existence of a document proves that an instrument existed at the time of notarization — critical evidence in IP disputes and probate matters.
The Notary inspects the document, records details in the register, and issues a certificate stating the document existed at the specified date, time and place.
Common for IP Prior Art Evidence, will preservation, medical records, and insurance documents that need their state proven before litigation.
A valid certification must state the date, time, place and Notary registration number, along with the official seal of the Lawyers Council.
Certifications by a Thai Notary become enforceable abroad only after Consular Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the destination embassy.
Thailand has not yet fully acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents going abroad must be legalized through the full consular chain.
Every Notarial Services Attorney must complete the official training course of the Lawyers Council of Thailand and hold an active, unsuspended practising certificate.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mr. Klaus, 78, lives in Hua Hin and submits a Lebensbescheinigung to Deutsche Rentenversicherung every year. Our Mobile Notary team visited his home, completed certification in 30 minutes, and shipped the document back to Germany within 7 days — no travel required.
| Destination | Usage |
|---|---|
| Japan | Notary + MFA + Japan Embassy — real estate and inheritance in Tokyo and Osaka |
| China | Notary + MFA + China Embassy — supports Business Visa, trademark, trade documents |
| Australia | Notary + DFAT + Australia Embassy — supports NAATI translations, Partner Visa Subclass 309/820 |
| United Kingdom | Notary + MFA + UK Embassy — used for Spouse Visa, Skilled Worker Visa, probate |
| United States | Notary + MFA + US Embassy — used for Affidavit of Support, I-130, I-864, real estate closings |
| Germany | Notary + MFA + German Embassy — Lebensbescheinigung, Familienzusammenführung, Studienkolleg |
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.
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.
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.
Translating an official document for overseas use is not merely a linguistic exercise — the translator must be officially registered with the destination embassy or the Thai Department of Consular Affairs. Registered translators receive an identifier that lets receiving authorities verify the translation's provenance. For Australia, translators must hold a NAATI number issued by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters, a credential that takes two to three years of examination and continuing education to obtain. Every translator on the NYC team is registered with the embassies of every country we serve, and we publish each translator's certifier number on the certificate page so receiving authorities can verify it directly.
Powers of Attorney are among the most frequently notarized instruments, especially for foreign nationals delegating authority to Thai counsel and for Thai nationals abroad asking family members to manage land, bank accounts or litigation back home. Each form of POA serves a different purpose: a Specific POA authorizes a single transaction such as a particular land sale, a General POA grants broad property-management authority, and a Durable POA remains effective if the grantor becomes incapacitated. Our Notaries draft the appropriate variant for the destination jurisdiction and ensure the certification language matches what the receiving authority will accept.
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.
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.
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.
"All-in-one Notary + MFA + China Embassy saved us 5 business days."
"Volume discount and full Tax Invoice make NYC my default Notary."
"POA for Phuket land sale cleared every embassy in one round."
"Life Certificate returned to Japan NPS within a single day."
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.
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.
Standard documents: 15-30 minutes. Complex documents: 1-2 hours. MFA + Embassy adds 2-7 business days depending on the destination embassy.
From THB 500 per document for standard true-copy certification, up to ~THB 8,000 for complex trust or real-estate work.
Yes — Notaries must inspect originals against copies and must see the original passport / ID.
Most document types are supported, except where physical signing is required by law or where the destination embassy does not accept RON.
Our registered translators cover all major world languages plus rarer ones — Burmese, Khmer, Vietnamese, Hindi, Turkish, Persian and more.
Leads immigration and visa documentation with deep experience in Schengen and LTR filings, having completed more than 2,400 successful document packs over the last three years.
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
Decide between signature witnessing, certified true copy, affidavit/oath, or certification of translation — the wording differs for each.
Signatories sign in person with original ID; corporate files need the director named on the company affidavit.
A certificate is attached to the document and entered in the register kept under Lawyers Council rules.
Verify names, dates, page count and binding against the destination's instructions.
If the destination expects consular legalisation, forward immediately so the file does not age out.
| Task | Do it yourself | NYC handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Checking destination rules | You read checklists and call around yourself | We verify the current requirements and hand you one list |
| Multi-agency running | Several days off work, different queues and hours | We run the whole chain end to end for you |
| Translation and certification | You source a translator and risk rejection | Translated, double-checked and certified in one package |
| Errors and re-filing | One mistake restarts the whole chain | Pre-submission checks at every stage reduce rejections |
| Tracking | You chase the status by phone | Stage-by-stage updates on LINE with photo evidence |
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.
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.
| Aspect | Thailand: notarial attorney | Abroad: Notary Public |
|---|---|---|
| Who is authorised | An attorney licensed for notarial services by the Lawyers Council | A notary appointed by the state or a court |
| Scope | Signature certification, true copies, affidavits and translations where the law allows | Varies by jurisdiction |
| Usual next step | File with the Department of Consular Affairs, then Apostille or embassy | Usually the country's own central authority |
| In-person required | Yes — you sign in front of the certifying attorney | Generally yes |
Where the receiving body uses its own terminology, follow that wording rather than claiming an equivalent title.
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.
| Aspect | Apostille route | Embassy legalisation route |
|---|---|---|
| When it applies | Destination is a party to the Apostille Convention | Destination does not accept an Apostille |
| Final authority | Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs | The destination country's embassy or consulate in Thailand |
| Typical number of steps | Fewer — the chain ends at the central authority | More — central authority first, then the embassy |
| Approximate timeframe | Shorter, still subject to the authority's queue | Longer, because the embassy appointment queue is added |
| Common rejection cause | Translation does not match the original, or the copy was not issued by the authority | The embassy's own form or language requirement was not followed |
Verify the current convention status and embassy conditions before filing.
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.
| Aspect | Do it yourself | NYC handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Checking destination rules | Read each authority's notice yourself and confirm by phone | Checked before you start, with the order the receiving authority accepts |
| Travel | Several agencies with queues that rarely line up in one day | Documents move by courier or online except where the law requires you in person |
| Rejection risk | One mismatch — a name spelled differently from the passport — restarts the chain | Names, dates and stamps are cross-checked before every filing |
| Status tracking | You follow up with each authority | Status updates at each stage, and we handle the fix if a file is returned |
| Advisory role | No one to compare options when your case falls outside the manual | You 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.
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.
| Mistake | Why it happens | Time cost | How to prevent it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removing staples or separating pages after certification | The certification is attached to the bound set; once separated the set counts as incomplete. | Typically adds 3–7 working days to re-certify the set. | Scan first, then keep the originals in a rigid envelope without detaching anything. |
| Planning without allowing for public and embassy holidays | Embassies close on both Thai and home-country holidays, so the real calendar is shorter than it looks. | Typically adds 3–9 working days around a long holiday period. | Check the holiday calendar of every body involved before fixing a travel or filing date. |
| The name in the translation does not match the passport spelling | Receiving 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. |
| Booking the wrong service channel or appointment type | Each 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. |
| Self-translating, or using a translator the destination does not recognise | Some 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 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.
We confirm whether you need a signature certification, a true-copy certification, or a statement of fact — each uses different wording.
The signatory must appear with an original ID or passport at the moment of signing.
The certificate is issued with a register number and logged under Lawyers Council rules.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Option | Best for | Timeline | Cost (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notary Public (ทนายโนตารี) | ยืนยันตัวตน / สำเนาถูกต้อง / ลายมือชื่อ | 1 วัน | 1,000–2,500 / ฉบับ |
| MFA Legalization | รับรองเพื่อใช้ต่างประเทศ (ไม่ใช่ Apostille) | 2–4 วันทำการ (ปกติ) / 1 วัน (ด่วน) | 200 (ปกติ) / 400 (ด่วน) ต่อฉบับ |
| Embassy Legalization | ขั้นสุดท้ายก่อนใช้ในประเทศปลายทาง | ขึ้นกับสถานทูต (1–15 วัน) | 500–5,000 / ฉบับ |
Signature witnessing, certified true copies, affidavits and translation certification by a Thai Notarial Services Attorney, for documents used by overseas authorities or counterparties.
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.
Notarial work is usually completed within one business day; the signer must appear in person with original documents before the notarial services attorney.
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.
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.
| Aspect | Thailand: notarial attorney | Abroad: Notary Public |
|---|---|---|
| Who is authorised | An attorney licensed for notarial services by the Lawyers Council | A notary appointed by the state or a court |
| Scope | Signature certification, true copies, affidavits and translations where the law allows | Varies by jurisdiction |
| Usual next step | File with the Department of Consular Affairs, then Apostille or embassy | Usually the country's own central authority |
| In-person required | Yes — you sign in front of the certifying attorney | Generally yes |
Where the receiving body uses its own terminology, follow that wording rather than claiming an equivalent title.
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.
| Aspect | Apostille route | Embassy legalisation route |
|---|---|---|
| When it applies | Destination is a party to the Apostille Convention | Destination does not accept an Apostille |
| Final authority | Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs | The destination country's embassy or consulate in Thailand |
| Typical number of steps | Fewer — the chain ends at the central authority | More — central authority first, then the embassy |
| Approximate timeframe | Shorter, still subject to the authority's queue | Longer, because the embassy appointment queue is added |
| Common rejection cause | Translation does not match the original, or the copy was not issued by the authority | The embassy's own form or language requirement was not followed |
Verify the current convention status and embassy conditions before filing.
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.
| Aspect | Do it yourself | NYC handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Checking destination rules | Read each authority's notice yourself and confirm by phone | Checked before you start, with the order the receiving authority accepts |
| Travel | Several agencies with queues that rarely line up in one day | Documents move by courier or online except where the law requires you in person |
| Rejection risk | One mismatch — a name spelled differently from the passport — restarts the chain | Names, dates and stamps are cross-checked before every filing |
| Status tracking | You follow up with each authority | Status updates at each stage, and we handle the fix if a file is returned |
| Advisory role | No one to compare options when your case falls outside the manual | You 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.
Most problem files are not caused by the document itself, but by the order of steps and small identity details before signing.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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.
| Mistake | Why it happens | Time cost | How to prevent it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-translating, or using a translator the destination does not recognise | Some 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 spelling | Receiving 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 one | Many 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 attorney | Completeness 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 type | Each 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. |
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.
We confirm whether you need a signature certification, a true-copy certification, or a statement of fact — each uses different wording.
The signatory must appear with an original ID or passport at the moment of signing.
The certificate is issued with a register number and logged under Lawyers Council rules.
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.
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.
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 glossaryMost 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.
Signature, true-copy, and translation certification for overseas use.
Many countries require an Apostille step after notarisation.
Route for non-Apostille countries: Thai MFA then destination embassy.
Thai-language documents usually need certified translation first.
See real cases, the route used, documents filed, and actual turnaround.
Pick your province for drop-off points, hours, and document channels.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Each source below is the authority that owns the rule cited on this page. If an authority changes its requirement, this page is corrected.