Living-in-Thailand guides for foreign residents

Each guide sets out which authority defines the requirements, what documents are involved, which of them need a certified translation, and the mistakes that get a file sent back — with links to the official sources.

• Legalising Thai documents for use abroad: the order that cannot be swapped

  Thai public documents used abroad must pass a fixed sequence: the original from the issuing office, the translation, certification by the Department of Consular Affairs, and where required the destination embassy. This page sets out each body’s role with official sources.

• Apostille and Thailand: current status and what will change

  Thailand deposited its instrument of accession to the Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026. This page explains what that status means, which certification route still applies in the meantime, and how to plan documents around it.

• Using foreign documents in Thailand: getting them accepted by Thai offices

  Foreign-issued documents such as certificates of no impediment, marriage certificates or company records need a certification chain and a certified Thai translation before Thai offices will accept them. This page sets out the order with official sources.

• Notarial services in Thailand versus legalisation: what is the difference

  Thailand has no common-law notary public system; it has Notarial Services Attorneys registered with the Lawyers Council. This page explains how that role differs from legalisation by the Department of Consular Affairs.

• Legalising commercial documents for export: who certifies what, in what order

  Commercial papers — company affidavits, invoices, powers of attorney and certificates of origin — follow different certification routes. This page sets out which body certifies what and the order destinations usually require.

• Legalising Thai educational documents for overseas use: the correct sequence

  Overseas universities, employers and immigration authorities rarely accept uncertified Thai academic documents. This page sets out the sequence from the institution to its ministry, the Department of Consular Affairs and the destination’s embassy.