Lawyers Council regulations on Notarial Services Attorneys
Notarial Services Attorneys must be registered with the Lawyers Council and certify within the prescribed scope.
Practice area
Notarial Services & International Documents
Signature and document certification, translation, consular and embassy legalisation
Document certification for overseas use, performed by attorneys registered as Notarial Services Attorneys with the Lawyers Council of Thailand — signature certification, certified true copies, translation certification, and filings at the Department of Consular Affairs and embassies.
What this practice covers
- Signature and identity certification
- Certified true copies of original documents
- Affidavits and oaths in the destination country’s form
- Certification of translations for overseas use
- Legalisation at the Department of Consular Affairs
- Legalisation at embassies and consulates in Thailand
How we work on your matter
- 1Review originals and identify the receiving authority’s requirements
- 2Prepare translations where needed and verify names and dates
- 3Sign before the Notarial Services Attorney
- 4File with the Department of Consular Affairs and the embassy in the correct order
- 5Return the documents with a verifiable job reference number
Documents to prepare
- The original document to be certified
- ID card or passport of the signatory
- Any form or requirement specified by the receiving authority
- Company affidavit where signing on behalf of a company
Points to watch
- Apostille is not yet available in Thailand until it enters into force on 28 February 2027; until then consular and embassy legalisation applies.
- Certifying in the wrong order leads to rejection and a full restart.
- Name spellings in the translation must match the passport exactly.
Typical timeframe
Signature certification is usually same-day; consular and embassy steps depend on each authority’s queue.
Timeframes are indicative only and depend on the authority, the court calendar and the completeness of your documents.
The legalisation chain for documents used abroad
A Thai document for use abroad generally passes through three steps: signature or copy certification by a Notarial Services Attorney, legalisation at the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and legalisation at the destination country’s embassy in Thailand. This sequence is called the legalisation chain.
Thailand acceded to the Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026, with the Convention entering into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. From that date, documents for other member states will need only an Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with no embassy legalisation. Until then, the full existing chain applies.
Requirements differ by destination country: some require a certified translation before consular legalisation, some accept only documents issued within a set period. We verify current requirements with the embassy or receiving authority before acting, every time.
The documents most often needing certification
The most common groups are civil-registration documents (birth, marriage, death certificates, house registration), education documents (degrees, transcripts), corporate documents (company affidavits, shareholder lists) and powers of attorney. Each type has its own preparation steps.
Some civil-registration documents can be issued directly in English by the district office, saving the translation step — but not every document type, and not every destination country accepts them. Check before deciding.
Documents that must be signed before the certifier — such as powers of attorney or affidavits — require the signatory to appear in person before the Notarial Services Attorney with identity evidence. A pre-signed signature cannot be certified.
Laws that govern this matter
Summarised for general understanding only. The application of each provision depends on the facts of your case.
Hague Apostille Convention
Thailand acceded on 30 June 2026 and the Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027; until then, MFA and embassy legalisation applies.
Example situations and how they are handled
These are constructed examples used to explain procedure. They are not client matters, and no outcome is implied or guaranteed.
Illustrative scenario: a document rejected abroad
Situation: A certified power of attorney is rejected because the certificate wording does not match the receiving country’s requirement.
Usual approach: Obtain the receiving authority’s written requirement first, then sequence certification and translation to match it exactly. (Hypothetical.)
Advice for your specific situation
People using documents abroad
- Confirm which certification the destination needs — the wrong order means starting over.
- Signatories must sign in person and present original identification.
Every matter — what to do in the first 7 days
- Gather every original document in one place, keep scanned copies, and note the date you received each one.
- Write a dated timeline — the date you received a notice or learned of the event usually starts the limitation or appeal clock.
- Do not sign a settlement, debt acknowledgement or withdrawal before a lawyer reviews it — it may extinguish existing rights.
- Preserve digital evidence unaltered (full screenshots, original files, emails with headers) — edited files are easy to challenge.
Official sources you can check
Rules and fees change. Confirm current requirements with the responsible authority before filing.
This service in your province
Province pages set out the courts and authorities with jurisdiction locally, and answer the questions people in that area ask.
Notarial Services & International Documents — BangkokNotarial Services & International Documents — Chiang MaiNotarial Services & International Documents — PhuketNotarial Services & International Documents — ChonburiNotarial Services & International Documents — Khon KaenNotarial Services & International Documents — Udon ThaniNotarial Services & International Documents — Nakhon RatchasimaNotarial Services & International Documents — SongkhlaNotarial Services & International Documents — Surat ThaniNotarial Services & International Documents — Chiang RaiNotarial Services & International Documents — RayongNotarial Services & International Documents — Nonthaburi
Frequently asked questions
Who is a Notary Public in Thailand?
Thailand has no common-law Notary Public. The equivalent is a Notarial Services Attorney registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand.
Is notarisation alone enough?
It depends on the receiving authority; many require onward consular and embassy legalisation, so check the requirements first.
Related services
Other practice areas
Litigation & Court RepresentationCivil, criminal, labour, family, succession and land disputesCorporate & CommercialIncorporation, contracts, foreign business, BOI and complianceImmigration & Foreign NationalsVisas, work permits, residency and lawful statusIntellectual PropertyTrademarks, copyright, patents and enforcementLand & Real EstateTitle due diligence, sale, lease and transfer at the Land OfficeFamily & SuccessionMarriage, divorce, custody, wills and estate administrationMediation, Arbitration & EnforcementResolving disputes outside court and making awards effectiveBOI Promotion & Foreign Business LicensingStructuring foreign investment in Thailand correctly from day one.Tax, Accounting & Employer ComplianceKeeping every statutory tax and accounting deadline under control.PDPA & Data Protection ComplianceBuilding data protection practices that match Thailand’s PDPA.Condominium & Foreign Property OwnershipChecking title, documents and transfer before a major payment is made.Employment & Labour LawAdvising employers and employees under the Labour Protection Act.Integrated Legal Support ServicesInterpreters, documents, agency runs and case tracking in one place.Judgment Enforcement & Asset TracingTurning a judgment into actual recovery through lawful tracing, seizure and attachment.M&A & Legal Due DiligenceChecking what you are buying and structuring the deal so it can actually close.Administrative Law & Appeals Against State DecisionsChallenging unfair administrative decisions through the correct procedure and deadlines.Cybercrime, Online Fraud & Asset RecoveryActing quickly when money is transferred by deception or rights are violated online.Company Secretarial & Corporate RegistrationsKeeping registrations, meetings and statutory records complete and on time.Wills, Succession & Estate AdministrationDrafting wills that hold up, and administering estates correctly under Thai law.Monthly Retainer Counsel for Businesses & ExpatriatesA standing legal team that knows your business, without hiring in-house staff.
Speak with an attorney about your matter
Tell us the facts and we will explain the options, the documents required and the realistic timeframe before you decide.