Thailand has no civil-law style Notary Public office. The closest equivalent is the Notarial Services Attorney: a Thai lawyer trained and registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand to certify signatures and documents. They confirm that a person signed in their presence, that a copy matches the original shown, and facts they personally witnessed. They do not certify that the contents are true or legally effective. Documents for use abroad usually also need authentication by the Department of Consular Affairs.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-29 · General information only, not legal advice for your specific case
The role in Thailand
The Lawyers Council runs the training and registration for Notarial Services Attorneys. A registered attorney has a seal and specimen signature on file with the Council, which receiving authorities such as the Department of Consular Affairs can check.
The core work is identifying the signer from a government-issued document, witnessing the signature and attaching a notarial certificate. The attorney keeps a record of each certification.
Compared with notaries abroad
In civil-law countries such as France, Germany or Japan, a notary is a state-appointed lawyer who can draw up certain instruments that are enforceable on their own. In the United States, most notaries public are not lawyers and mainly verify the signer's identity.
The Thai role sits closer to signature and copy verification than to drafting instruments on behalf of the state.
| Point | Thai Notarial Services Attorney | Civil-law notary | US notary public |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Lawyer registered with the Lawyers Council | State-appointed lawyer | Usually not a lawyer |
| Certify signatures | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Draft self-enforcing instruments | No | Some types | No |
| Next step for use abroad | Consular Affairs / embassy | Apostille or legalisation | Apostille or legalisation |
What can and cannot be certified
- That the named person signed in the attorney's presence after showing a passport or ID card
- That a copy matches the original presented
- The translator's signature on a translation
- Not the truth of the statements, and not the authenticity of an original issued by another body
- It is not a government authentication, so many countries also require the Department of Consular Affairs
The authentication chain for use abroad
The usual sequence is: sign before the Notarial Services Attorney → authentication at the Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs → (if the destination requires it) legalisation at that country's embassy in Thailand.
Thailand acceded to the Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026 and it enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. Until then, consular and embassy legalisation are still required.
Before you meet the attorney
1. Ask the receiving authority
Get its requirements in writing: notarisation only, or also Consular Affairs and embassy legalisation.
2. Bring identification
An original, valid passport or Thai ID card with a name matching the document.
3. Do not pre-sign
Documents needing signature certification must be signed in front of the attorney.
4. Plan the next step
Check which language is needed and whether the translation must be certified.
Frequently asked questions
Can any Thai lawyer notarise documents?
No. Only lawyers trained and registered with the Lawyers Council as Notarial Services Attorneys.
Is an attorney's certificate accepted abroad on its own?
Some recipients accept it, but many countries require Department of Consular Affairs authentication and sometimes embassy legalisation. Check first.
Does the attorney check the content of my document?
A signature certification confirms identity and signing, not content. Reviewing the content is separate legal advice.
When can Thai documents use an apostille?
The Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. Until then, consular authentication is used.
What does it cost?
It depends on the type and number of documents. Please contact our team for a quotation; government fees are paid at the authority's rates.
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