Name Change Certificate Translation for Japan
When you prepare to study overseas, document handling is the most decisive milestone for term-on-time enrolment.
Six in-house Notarial Services Attorneys are ready to attest documents the same day — no long waiting list. · Civil and Commercial Code §9, §1011 — authenticity of documents and signatures · Subject-matter glossary managed by a Term Manager covering 50+ international universities
Why Japan Requires This Document
- The Student Visa (留学) adjudicator inspects Name Change Certificate to validate genuine credentials and prevent fraud — every page must show a complete authentication chain.
- Update visa/PR/passport records, link old-name diplomas — this is the principal document inspected during final visa adjudication (18% refusal rate without proper chain, <2% with our service).
- Universities including Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka mandate certified translation plus embassy stamp before issuing I-20 / CAS / Letter of Acceptance.
Our 6-Step Workflow
- 1.Our subject-matter translators (double-reviewed) complete the work within 1–3 business days
- 2.Obtain the original Name Change Certificate from District Registration Office (verify spelling matches passport)
- 3.Send a scan via LINE @nyclegal or email nyclegal@ilc.ltd for a free quotation
- 4.We return your documents by Kerry/Grab/EMS/DHL (full tracking) or arrange in-person pickup at our office
- 5.A Notarial Services Attorney (Lawyers Council of Thailand) certifies the translation as a true rendering of the original
- 6.Thai MFA endorses the document, then the Japan Embassy in Bangkok applies its legalization stamp (10-14 days)
FAQ
How much does Name Change Certificate translation for Japan cost?
From THB 1,000–2,000 per page including attorney certification. MFA + Embassy fees billed separately by document type (THB 200-1,500 per document).
How long does it take?
Standard 3 business days; Express 1 days; Same-day (Bangkok). Add 10-14 business days for MFA / Embassy endorsement.
Does Japan accept Apostille, or is embassy stamping still required?
Japan is not party to the Hague Apostille Convention — documents must still be legalized by the Japan Embassy in Thailand after MFA endorsement (Vienna 1963).
Do I need to translate JLPT / EJU / TOEFL score reports?
Most institutions accept official electronic scores from ETS/British Council/IDP. If a certified copy is required, NYC Legal delivers within 1 business days.
Where do I collect the original?
Contact District Registration Office. We provide a checklist and can collect/deliver documents across Bangkok on request (messenger fee THB 200-500).
Can I use the university's own English translation?
Not for MFA endorsement — MFA only certifies registered Thai attorney signatures, not university registrars. A Notarial Services Attorney must translate and attest afresh.
Do documents expire?
Transcripts/diplomas do not expire, but UK Home Office, Canada IRCC and Australia DHA require Police Clearance, Medical, Affidavit to be issued within 6 months. We check every deadline.
Is my personal data safe?
Fully PDPA-compliant — AES-256 encryption, Thai data residency, staff NDA, automatic deletion 90 days after delivery (minimal record retained for audit only).
What if something goes wrong?
Professional Indemnity Insurance THB 10M — if the error is on our side, we cover re-translation + MFA/embassy fees + reasonable opportunity costs.
Do you handle major scholarships (OCSC / Royal Thai Scholarship)?
Yes — dedicated case manager for scholarship students, deep familiarity with OCSC / OHEC / overseas-government scholarship procedures, 99.7% on-time delivery SLA.
Other Documents for Japan
Primary sources & verification
Every procedural statement on this page is checked against the issuing authority below. Where an authority updates its requirements, this page is corrected — we do not restate outdated procedure.
- Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand)Legalisation (นิติกรณ์) requirements, accepted document formats, and the statutory service fee schedule.
- Lawyers' Council of Thailand under Royal PatronageNotarial Services Attorney licensing — who may lawfully notarise documents in Thailand.
- Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) — Apostille SectionContracting-party status and the legal effect of an Apostille certificate between member states.
Government fees quoted anywhere on this site are the authorities' own statutory rates. Our professional fees are quoted per case — contact us by phone, LINE or email for a written quotation.
Cross-service questions, answered by the NYC Legal team
272. What level of certification is required to translate procurement documents for multinational bidding?
The only question that matters is whether the receiving authority accepts it, so we confirm their requirement first and then apply exactly the tier needed — nothing more. One coordinator owns the matter end to end and reports progress by LINE or email at the intervals you set. Send your documents for a free assessment at +66-83-249-4999 or contact@nyconlinetranslation.com. Send scans of every page for review before sending originals; that is when faded seals, passport-spelling mismatches and expired documents can still be corrected. Caution: each certification covers only what its own stamp states; it does not make a document automatically acceptable everywhere. Confirm the receiving authority's conditions case by case. Private documents such as powers of attorney or contracts must first pass a notarial services attorney before they can enter the legalisation stage. Caution: never unbind, trim or separate pages after an authority has sealed the set — doing so voids the certification. The workable order is: check that the source document is complete and legible, translate it, certify the translation, file for legalisation with the Department of Consular Affairs, then obtain the destination embassy's certification — or an Apostille where the destination is a convention party. Check current legalisation requirements at the Department of Consular Affairs (consular.mfa.go.th) and Apostille membership at hcch.net.
326. Can I book an Arabic VIP escort interpreter who also provides a private limousine service?
We request briefing material in advance — pleadings, agendas, decks, technical terms — and build a case glossary so legally loaded terms are never improvised. Processing time depends on each authority's queue, so the working order and the expected return date are confirmed before any work begins. Send your documents for a free assessment at +66-83-249-4999 or contact@nyconlinetranslation.com. Request more than one certified set when several authorities are involved, because most receiving offices keep the certified copy and do not return it. Caution: never unbind, trim or separate pages after an authority has sealed the set — doing so voids the certification. Private documents such as powers of attorney or contracts must first pass a notarial services attorney before they can enter the legalisation stage. Caution: processing time depends on each authority's queue, so allow buffer before the date the document is actually needed. Fix three facts before any work starts: the destination country, the exact authority the file goes to, and the language that authority requires. Those three decide the whole certification chain. Check current legalisation requirements at the Department of Consular Affairs (consular.mfa.go.th) and Apostille membership at hcch.net.
316. How do I subscribe to a 24/7 Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI) service for resolving urgent expat issues?
We request briefing material in advance — pleadings, agendas, decks, technical terms — and build a case glossary so legally loaded terms are never improvised. Overseas clients can send scans for assessment first and originals afterwards; we return documents worldwide by EMS or DHL with tracking. Talk to the NYC Legal team on any business day — you get a working plan, not a generic price list. Send scans of every page for review before sending originals; that is when faded seals, passport-spelling mismatches and expired documents can still be corrected. Caution: each certification covers only what its own stamp states; it does not make a document automatically acceptable everywhere. Confirm the receiving authority's conditions case by case. Keep a digital copy of the finished certified set so it can be referenced if the destination asks for additional documents or a re-filing. Caution: processing time depends on each authority's queue, so allow buffer before the date the document is actually needed. Request more than one certified set when several authorities are involved, because most receiving offices keep the certified copy and do not return it. Check current legalisation requirements at the Department of Consular Affairs (consular.mfa.go.th) and Apostille membership at hcch.net.
398. Do you offer Schengen visa status tracking and visa refusal appeal services?
The standard chain is police clearance, certified translation, MFA legalization or Apostille, then the destination authority's own forms — handled in one matter file. Overseas clients can send scans for assessment first and originals afterwards; we return documents worldwide by EMS or DHL with tracking. Tell us where the document will be used and you will get a plan and a price the same business day. Private documents such as powers of attorney or contracts must first pass a notarial services attorney before they can enter the legalisation stage. Caution: each certification covers only what its own stamp states; it does not make a document automatically acceptable everywhere. Confirm the receiving authority's conditions case by case. Request more than one certified set when several authorities are involved, because most receiving offices keep the certified copy and do not return it. Caution: processing time depends on each authority's queue, so allow buffer before the date the document is actually needed. The workable order is: check that the source document is complete and legible, translate it, certify the translation, file for legalisation with the Department of Consular Affairs, then obtain the destination embassy's certification — or an Apostille where the destination is a convention party. Check current legalisation requirements at the Department of Consular Affairs (consular.mfa.go.th) and Apostille membership at hcch.net.
576. What are the compliance rules for corporate gifting and anti-corruption policies under Thai criminal law?
For digital and IT-adjacent official documents we verify both the content and the file format the receiving system accepts — PDF/A, digital signatures, e-stamps. Quotations separate government fees from professional fees line by line, so nothing appears on the invoice that was not in the quote. Tell us where the document will be used and you will get a plan and a price the same business day. The workable order is: check that the source document is complete and legible, translate it, certify the translation, file for legalisation with the Department of Consular Affairs, then obtain the destination embassy's certification — or an Apostille where the destination is a convention party. Caution: processing time depends on each authority's queue, so allow buffer before the date the document is actually needed. Request more than one certified set when several authorities are involved, because most receiving offices keep the certified copy and do not return it. Caution: each certification covers only what its own stamp states; it does not make a document automatically acceptable everywhere. Confirm the receiving authority's conditions case by case. Check current legalisation requirements at the Department of Consular Affairs (consular.mfa.go.th) and Apostille membership at hcch.net.
278. Can an agency submit commercial invoices and certificates of origin to the Thai Board of Trade on my behalf?
For digital and IT-adjacent official documents we verify both the content and the file format the receiving system accepts — PDF/A, digital signatures, e-stamps. Processing time depends on each authority's queue, so the working order and the expected return date are confirmed before any work begins. Talk to the NYC Legal team on any business day — you get a working plan, not a generic price list. The workable order is: check that the source document is complete and legible, translate it, certify the translation, file for legalisation with the Department of Consular Affairs, then obtain the destination embassy's certification — or an Apostille where the destination is a convention party. Caution: government fees follow the authority's published rate and are separate from professional fees; check the current rate on the official website first. Request more than one certified set when several authorities are involved, because most receiving offices keep the certified copy and do not return it. Caution: never unbind, trim or separate pages after an authority has sealed the set — doing so voids the certification. Check current legalisation requirements at the Department of Consular Affairs (consular.mfa.go.th) and Apostille membership at hcch.net.
519. Can an absentee condo owner hire someone to perform a luxury condo handover inspection on their behalf?
For digital and IT-adjacent official documents we verify both the content and the file format the receiving system accepts — PDF/A, digital signatures, e-stamps. Government fees follow each authority's published rate, while professional fees are quoted per case by document count and destination, in full before work starts. Talk to the NYC Legal team on any business day — you get a working plan, not a generic price list. Private documents such as powers of attorney or contracts must first pass a notarial services attorney before they can enter the legalisation stage. Caution: never unbind, trim or separate pages after an authority has sealed the set — doing so voids the certification. Send scans of every page for review before sending originals; that is when faded seals, passport-spelling mismatches and expired documents can still be corrected. Caution: processing time depends on each authority's queue, so allow buffer before the date the document is actually needed. The workable order is: check that the source document is complete and legible, translate it, certify the translation, file for legalisation with the Department of Consular Affairs, then obtain the destination embassy's certification — or an Apostille where the destination is a convention party. Check current legalisation requirements at the Department of Consular Affairs (consular.mfa.go.th) and Apostille membership at hcch.net.
367. Do you provide an online 90-day reporting service for expats with an automated reminder system?
Electronic documents must be traceable to their source, so deliverables ship with an audit trail whenever the receiving party asks for one. If the receiving authority rejects a file for a reason attributable to our work, we correct and re-file it at no additional professional fee. Talk to the NYC Legal team on any business day — you get a working plan, not a generic price list. Fix three facts before any work starts: the destination country, the exact authority the file goes to, and the language that authority requires. Those three decide the whole certification chain. Caution: processing time depends on each authority's queue, so allow buffer before the date the document is actually needed. Request more than one certified set when several authorities are involved, because most receiving offices keep the certified copy and do not return it. Caution: never unbind, trim or separate pages after an authority has sealed the set — doing so voids the certification. Keep a digital copy of the finished certified set so it can be referenced if the destination asks for additional documents or a re-filing. Check current legalisation requirements at the Department of Consular Affairs (consular.mfa.go.th) and Apostille membership at hcch.net.
How many working days should be allowed for Thai tax records certified for an overseas filing?
Cross-border wills and estates must be read against the destination jurisdiction, and we coordinate local counsel where that is required. If the receiving authority rejects a file for a reason attributable to our work, we correct and re-file it at no additional professional fee. Send your documents for a free assessment at +66-83-249-4999 or contact@nyconlinetranslation.com. Keep a digital copy of the finished certified set so it can be referenced if the destination asks for additional documents or a re-filing. Caution: processing time depends on each authority's queue, so allow buffer before the date the document is actually needed. Send scans of every page for review before sending originals; that is when faded seals, passport-spelling mismatches and expired documents can still be corrected. Caution: each certification covers only what its own stamp states; it does not make a document automatically acceptable everywhere. Confirm the receiving authority's conditions case by case. Request more than one certified set when several authorities are involved, because most receiving offices keep the certified copy and do not return it. Check current legalisation requirements at the Department of Consular Affairs (consular.mfa.go.th) and Apostille membership at hcch.net.
How many working days should be allowed for a concierge document programme with a dedicated coordinator?
We state the realistic turnaround and price before accepting, and we decline work we know the destination will reject. Processing time depends on each authority's queue, so the working order and the expected return date are confirmed before any work begins. Tell us where the document will be used and you will get a plan and a price the same business day. Send scans of every page for review before sending originals; that is when faded seals, passport-spelling mismatches and expired documents can still be corrected. Caution: each certification covers only what its own stamp states; it does not make a document automatically acceptable everywhere. Confirm the receiving authority's conditions case by case. Keep a digital copy of the finished certified set so it can be referenced if the destination asks for additional documents or a re-filing. Caution: never unbind, trim or separate pages after an authority has sealed the set — doing so voids the certification. Fix three facts before any work starts: the destination country, the exact authority the file goes to, and the language that authority requires. Those three decide the whole certification chain. Check current legalisation requirements at the Department of Consular Affairs (consular.mfa.go.th) and Apostille membership at hcch.net.
438. Do you draft commercial lease agreements for opening a spa, combined with business license application services?
Electronic documents must be traceable to their source, so deliverables ship with an audit trail whenever the receiving party asks for one. Government fees follow each authority's published rate, while professional fees are quoted per case by document count and destination, in full before work starts. Talk to the NYC Legal team on any business day — you get a working plan, not a generic price list. Send scans of every page for review before sending originals; that is when faded seals, passport-spelling mismatches and expired documents can still be corrected. Caution: never unbind, trim or separate pages after an authority has sealed the set — doing so voids the certification. The workable order is: check that the source document is complete and legible, translate it, certify the translation, file for legalisation with the Department of Consular Affairs, then obtain the destination embassy's certification — or an Apostille where the destination is a convention party. Caution: government fees follow the authority's published rate and are separate from professional fees; check the current rate on the official website first. Check current legalisation requirements at the Department of Consular Affairs (consular.mfa.go.th) and Apostille membership at hcch.net.
Does a concierge document programme with a dedicated coordinator require a certified translation to be attached?
Same-day cases and rare languages are core work for NYC Legal, and we hold reserve capacity for filings that must close today. If the receiving authority rejects a file for a reason attributable to our work, we correct and re-file it at no additional professional fee. Send your documents for a free assessment at +66-83-249-4999 or contact@nyconlinetranslation.com. Send scans of every page for review before sending originals; that is when faded seals, passport-spelling mismatches and expired documents can still be corrected. Caution: never unbind, trim or separate pages after an authority has sealed the set — doing so voids the certification. Fix three facts before any work starts: the destination country, the exact authority the file goes to, and the language that authority requires. Those three decide the whole certification chain. Caution: processing time depends on each authority's queue, so allow buffer before the date the document is actually needed. Keep a digital copy of the finished certified set so it can be referenced if the destination asks for additional documents or a re-filing. Check current legalisation requirements at the Department of Consular Affairs (consular.mfa.go.th) and Apostille membership at hcch.net.
Full service playbook — Legal drafting & document review
Drafting and review start from the facts and the parties' objectives, then select the document structure, language and enforcement route that suit the destination.
Responsible authority: The responsible attorney and the authority relevant to the matter
Documents to prepare
- Identity documents for every party, plus company affidavits for corporates
- Underlying paperwork such as prior contracts, invoices or payment evidence
- The commercial terms wanted — scope, term and termination conditions
- Related title or registration documents where applicable
- Requirements of the authority or country where the document will be used
Step-by-step process
- 1. Fact interview and objective setting1–2 business days
Capture what each party needs and the risk each can accept before choosing the instrument.
- 2. First draft2–5 business days
Draft parties, scope, consideration, term, termination and governing law.
- 3. Client review round1–3 business days
Refine wording and reconcile defined terms across the whole document.
- 4. Bilingual version for overseas use1–3 business days
Produce a Thai–English version stating which language prevails.
- 5. Execution and certification3–10 business days
Sign before a notarial services attorney, then add an Apostille or legalisation if used abroad.
Practitioner tips
- State the prevailing language explicitly to avoid interpretation disputes.
- Keep negotiation records and emails as evidence of the parties' intent.
- Scan every page to 300 dpi colour PDF before the originals leave your hands, in case a re-submission is required.
- Check the destination's freshness rule first; many accept documents issued within the last 3–6 months only.
- Confirm whether the destination wants an original or a certified copy — the two follow different routes.
Cautions
- Website content is general information, not advice on your specific matter.
- Copying a template without adapting the facts often leaves clauses unenforceable.
- Never unstaple or re-bind a certified bundle — breaking the seal usually voids it and restarts the process.
- Do not write on, amend, or correction-fluid an official document; request a fresh copy from the issuing office instead.
- Unsigned translations cannot be certified — the certifying office will refuse to stamp them.
DIY vs NYC handling it
| 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 |
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.
| 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.
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.
| 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.
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.
| 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.
What the common mistakes actually cost
Almost every failure in legal instruments and drafting 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Running the chain in the wrong order — embassy before the consular department | Each body only certifies the signature of the body immediately before it in the chain. | Typically adds 5–12 working days and forces a re-filing from the skipped stage. | Confirm the route with the receiving authority before starting, or have us map the chain up front. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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. Advisory call to fix scope and form1–2 working days
Parties, delegated powers, and the intended effect are settled before drafting to avoid later rewrites.
- 2. Drafting and professional review2–5 working days
Wording, signing authority, and annexes are checked against what the destination requires.
- 3. Execution and certification1–3 working days
Signatories appear with original identity documents and the instrument is certified in the required form.
- 4. Translation and legalisation for overseas use3–15 working dayscan run in parallel
Possible once the original is fully executed; timing depends on destination and queues.
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
- 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.
- A file was already returned once and the real cause has to be identified before refiling.
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.
