Does Thailand have a notary public?

No such office exists in Thai law. The equivalent work is done by a notarial services attorney registered with the Lawyers Council, so documents should use the correct title to avoid questions at the destination.

Do foreign bodies accept the Thai form of certification?

Generally yes, provided the file continues through MFA legalisation and the final layer matching the destination’s Convention status. If the receiver prescribes a specific form, ask for it in writing.

What should I bring on the day?

The unsigned original, valid identification, and the name of the body that will receive it — the certification wording can differ by receiver.

Can any government document be certified as a copy?

For some records the issuing office insists on certifying copies itself, so check whether the destination accepts an attorney-certified copy or demands an issuer-certified one.

Can it be done over video call?

Signature witnessing rests on signing in person, so an in-person meeting is required; drafting and completeness checks can be handled online beforehand.

Can a foreign-language document be certified?

Yes for the signature and copy elements, but where the receiver needs the content in Thai or in its own language, a translator-certified translation must accompany it.

Thai Notarial Services Attorney notarizing a signed document

Thailand’s notarial services attorney compared with a foreign notary public

Quick answer

Thailand has no US-style notary public. The equivalent work is performed by a notarial services attorney who has completed the training and registration required by the Lawyers Council of Thailand. Their authority covers signature witnessing, certified true copies and affidavits — but never a warranty that the facts inside the document are true.

What each option is

Notarial services attorney (Thailand)

A lawyer certified by the Lawyers Council of Thailand to perform notarial certifications.

Authority: Lawyers Council of Thailand

Foreign notary public

An officer appointed under that jurisdiction’s law to witness documents and administer oaths.

Authority: The appointing body of that jurisdiction, such as a state office or court

Comparison table based on published requirements

Thailand’s notarial services attorney compared with a foreign notary public
Criterion	Notarial services attorney (Thailand)	Foreign notary public
Source of authority	The Lawyers Council’s regulations on signature and document certification, alongside a practising licence.	The specific statute of the appointing state, with scope varying between jurisdictions.
What can be certified	Witnessing a signature in person, certifying true copies, certifying a translator’s certification, and administering oaths or affirmations.	Scope varies: some jurisdictions allow signature witnessing only, others a much broader notarial act.
What is never certified	Not the truth of the content, and not the outcome of any authority’s decision.	Likewise: not the content, and not the receiving body’s discretion.
Verification path	Check the lawyer’s standing and certificate with the Lawyers Council; the document then usually continues to the legalisation layer.	Check the appointing body’s register through that jurisdiction’s published channel.
What happens next	For overseas use, MFA legalisation follows, then an apostille or embassy attestation depending on the destination.	That jurisdiction’s own certification follows — typically an apostille from its competent authority — before use in Thailand.
Presence requirement	The signatory signs in the attorney’s presence with valid photo identification.	Presence is the norm; some jurisdictions permit remote notarisation under their own statute.

Which route fits which case

Notarial services attorney (Thailand): The document is signed in Thailand and destined for a foreign body or a mission in Thailand.
Foreign notary public: The signatory is abroad and the receiving body accepts that jurisdiction’s notarial act.

Mistakes that get files sent back

Describing the certifier as a Thai “notary public”, a title that does not exist in Thai law.
Sending a pre-signed document and asking for retrospective witnessing.
Presenting expired identification on the day of certification.
Forgetting that the receiving body still needs the legalisation layer after the attorney’s certification.

Frequently asked questions

Does Thailand have a notary public?: No such office exists in Thai law. The equivalent work is done by a notarial services attorney registered with the Lawyers Council, so documents should use the correct title to avoid questions at the destination.
Do foreign bodies accept the Thai form of certification?: Generally yes, provided the file continues through MFA legalisation and the final layer matching the destination’s Convention status. If the receiver prescribes a specific form, ask for it in writing.
What should I bring on the day?: The unsigned original, valid identification, and the name of the body that will receive it — the certification wording can differ by receiver.
Can any government document be certified as a copy?: For some records the issuing office insists on certifying copies itself, so check whether the destination accepts an attorney-certified copy or demands an issuer-certified one.
Can it be done over video call?: Signature witnessing rests on signing in person, so an in-person meeting is required; drafting and completeness checks can be handled online beforehand.
Can a foreign-language document be certified?: Yes for the signature and copy elements, but where the receiver needs the content in Thai or in its own language, a translator-certified translation must accompany it.

Official sources

Checked on 2026-08-03; confirm with the authority before filing.

Ask our team

The exact steps depend on the receiving authority in each case. Contact our team to confirm the checklist and timing.