A certified translation is one the translator or agency signs as accurate and complete. A notarized translation adds a Notarial Services Attorney's certification of the translator's signature; the attorney does not check the language. Many Thai authorities require translations certified by the Department of Consular Affairs. Which one you need depends mainly on the recipient.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-29 · General information only, not legal advice for your specific case
Three levels used in Thailand
| Level | Certified by | What is certified | Use when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified | Translator / agency | Accuracy and completeness | Recipient accepts the translator's statement |
| Notarized | Notarial Services Attorney | Translator's signature | Recipient wants the translator identified |
| Consular Affairs | Legalization Division | Per the Department's translation rules | Required by Thai authorities or embassies |
Thailand has no statutory sworn translators
Unlike some European countries with court-sworn translators, Thailand has no statutory register of sworn translators, so authorities rely on layered certification instead.
If a foreign recipient requires its own sworn translators, or translators accredited by a body such as Australia's NAATI, you must use them; a Thai notarised translation will not substitute.
How to choose
1. Read the recipient's rules
Look for certified, notarised, sworn or legalised.
2. Check whether the original needs certifying first
Sometimes the original must be authenticated before translation.
3. Use an accepted translator
With the qualifications the recipient names.
4. Add the required layers
Attorney, Consular Affairs or embassy.
What a good translation includes
- Everything translated, including stamps, handwriting and notes
- Proper names spelled as in the passport
- Translator's statement with name, qualifications, date and contact
- A copy of the original bound with the translation
Frequently asked questions
Does the attorney check the translation?
Notarisation certifies the translator's signature, not the language. Accuracy is the translator's responsibility.
What do Thai authorities want?
Many require Consular Affairs-certified translations of foreign documents. Check with the authority.
Do embassies accept translations made in Thailand?
It depends; some keep lists of accepted translators.
Can I translate my own documents?
Most recipients do not accept self-translations.
What does it cost?
It depends on language, pages and certification level. Please contact our team for a quotation.
Official sources
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