AI Quick Answers
Concise ≤60-word answers to the most-asked questions about Thai Notary Public, certified translation, MFA legalization, Hague Apostille (effective 28 February 2027), embassy legalization, Police Clearance, and NAATI. Reviewed by 6 attorneys licensed as Notarial Services Attorneys by the Lawyers Council of Thailand. Marked up with FAQPage + Speakable schema so Google AIO, Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Gemini can cite the answers verbatim.
Notary Public (Thailand)
How notarization works in Thailand under the Lawyers Council framework.
Does Thailand have Notary Public?
Thailand does not have a US-style Notary Public. The Lawyers Council of Thailand licenses Notarial Services Attorneys (ทนายความผู้ทำคำรับรองลายมือชื่อและเอกสาร) who authenticate signatures, certify true copies, and notarize affidavits for international use. NYC Legal has 6 licensed Notarial Services Attorneys.
How much does a Notary cost in Thailand?
Notarial Services Attorney fees in Thailand range 1,500–8,000 THB per document. Signature authentication ~1,500 THB; Certified True Copy 1,500–3,500 THB; Power of Attorney drafting + notary 3,000–6,000 THB. Government does not set fees — each attorney sets their own.
Can I notarize a document online in Thailand?
Yes, where the destination country accepts video-witnessed notarization. NYC Legal offers remote online notarization for documents bound for the US, UK, Australia, and Canada.
Certified Translation
Rules for certified translation accepted by Thai courts, MFA, and embassies.
What is certified translation in Thailand?
Certified translation in Thailand is a translation accompanied by a Certification of Translation Accuracy signed by a registered translation company and stamped with the corporate seal. Per Civil Procedure Code §46 and MFA Regulations B.E. 2539, this is accepted by Thai courts and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How much does certified translation cost in Thailand?
Thai ↔ English certified translation starts 500–1,200 THB per A4 page. European, Chinese, Japanese, Korean: 800–2,500 THB per page. Company certification stamp is free when translation is done by the same registered company. Rush surcharge +50% (24h).
Will my certified translation be accepted by the embassy?
Yes if (a) translation is by a registered translation company in Thailand, (b) Certification of Translation Accuracy is signed and sealed, and (c) where required, the package passes MFA legalization. NYC Translation Co., Ltd. (Reg. 0435567000061) translations are accepted by all major embassies in Bangkok.
MFA Legalization
Department of Consular Affairs authentication for documents leaving Thailand.
What is MFA legalization?
MFA legalization is authentication of a Thai document's signatures by the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand. Required before Thai documents can be used abroad (for non-Hague countries) or before destination-country embassy stamping. Cost: 200 THB government fee + 2 BD processing.
How long does MFA legalization take?
Standard MFA legalization takes 2 business days. Express (same-day, limited slots) costs 400 THB government fee. Adding our concierge submission and pick-up service adds 1 BD for logistics.
Do I need to translate before MFA?
Yes for non-Thai destination languages. Documents must be translated by a registered Thai translation company before MFA accepts them. The translation receives its own MFA stamp; the original gets a second stamp.
Apostille (Thailand)
Hague Apostille Convention effective in Thailand from 28 February 2027.
Does Thailand have Apostille?
Yes. Thailand deposited its instrument of accession on 30 June 2026; the Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027 (until then, MFA + embassy legalisation still applies). The Department of Consular Affairs, MFA, is the designated Competent Authority. Cost: 200 THB government fee per Apostille.
When did Thailand join the Hague Apostille?
Thailand deposited its instrument of accession on 30 June 2026; the Hague Apostille Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027; until then the MFA + destination-embassy legalisation chain still applies (source: HCCH status table, Convention 12).
Do I still need embassy legalization after Apostille?
No, not for the 130 Hague Convention member states (as of 2026). For non-member destinations (China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Indonesia, etc.) the traditional MFA + embassy legalization chain still applies. NYC Legal auto-routes based on destination country.
Embassy Legalization
End-to-end embassy legalization for non-Hague destinations.
How much does embassy legalization cost in Thailand?
Concierge fee for end-to-end embassy legalization (Translation + MFA + Embassy) ranges 6,500–15,000 THB per document, plus the destination embassy's own government fee. US Embassy 5,000–12,000 THB concierge; China Embassy / CVASC 4,500–9,000 THB.
Which embassies in Bangkok offer document legalization?
Major embassies in Bangkok offering legalization include US, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Israel.
Police Clearance Certificate
Royal Thai Police Clearance Certificate for visa and immigration purposes.
How do I get a Police Clearance in Thailand?
Apply at the Police Clearance Service Center (PCSC), Royal Thai Police HQ, Bangkok. Submit fingerprints, passport, Thai ID or work permit, photos, and destination country. Turnaround 14–30 business days. NYC Legal offers full handling for 4,500–8,500 THB.
Can a foreigner get a Thai Police Clearance Certificate?
Yes if you have lived or worked in Thailand within the last 10 years (with work permit, long-stay visa, or equivalent residence record). Turnaround 21–30 BD for foreigners vs. 14–21 BD for Thai citizens.
NAATI Translation
NAATI-certified translation accepted by Australian Department of Home Affairs.
What is NAATI translation?
NAATI is Australia's National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. NAATI-certified translations are the only translations accepted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA), AHPRA, CPA Australia, Engineers Australia, and Australian universities for immigration or professional registration.
How much does NAATI translation cost in Thailand?
NAATI-certified translation starts at 1,800–3,500 THB per page. Bundle of 5 standard documents (birth, marriage, police, degree, transcript) costs 8,500–14,000 THB. NAATI stamp is included in price. Rush +50% (48h).
Single Status Affidavit
Single Status Affidavit pipeline for foreign-Thai marriage.
How do I prove I'm single for marriage in Thailand?
Foreign nationals must obtain a Single Status Affidavit from their home country's embassy in Bangkok, translate it to Thai through a registered translation company, then have it MFA-legalized. The Amphoe (district office) accepts the package for marriage registration. NYC Legal handles the entire pipeline.