Apostille for Police Clearance Certificate (effective 14 Feb 2026)
Thailand joins the Hague Apostille Convention — skip the destination-embassy step, save time and cost for 125+ member countries
Turnaround
1-3 business days
Gov fee (THB)
400 (ปกติ) / 800 (ด่วน)
Legal service from
฿1,500
Authority
Department of Consular Affairs, MFA (Competent Authority under HCCH)
Legal reference
Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents — Thailand acceded 14 Feb 2026
What is an Apostille and why does it matter?
An Apostille is a standardised certification format under the 1961 Hague Convention, accepted by 125+ member countries in lieu of any embassy step. Thailand acceded on 14 February 2026. For any PCC bound for a Hague member — USA, UK, EU, Australia, Japan, Korea, India, Mexico, Singapore, etc. — the process is 60% faster and 40% cheaper because the destination-embassy leg is eliminated.
The new post-Feb 2026 workflow
1) Obtain PCC from CID (7-15 business days) | 2) Certified translation into English or destination language (2-3 days) | 3) Apostille stamp at MFA Department of Consular Affairs (1-3 days) | 4) Done — usable in any Hague member country. Saves 7-14 days of embassy queue plus THB 500-4,500 per embassy in fees.
Common Hague member countries
Americas: USA, Canada (since 2024), Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile · Europe: UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway · Asia: Japan, Korea, India, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau, Pakistan · Oceania: Australia, New Zealand · Middle East: Israel, Turkey, Bahrain, Oman. Full 125+ list at hcch.net.
Non-Hague destinations (embassy still required)
China (except Hong Kong / Macau) — despite China's own accession, bilateral Apostille recognition with Thailand has not been formally confirmed yet, so consular legalisation still applies · UAE (except GCC visa contexts) · Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman (some cases) · Vietnam · Egypt · Pakistan (outside Apostille) · Bangladesh · Myanmar · Laos · Cambodia. These destinations still follow the traditional MFA + destination-embassy chain.
Required documents
- Original PCC
- Certified translation (Thai → destination language)
- Passport copy
- Destination country and purpose
FAQ
When does Apostille go live in Thailand?
14 February 2026. Before that date the old MFA + embassy chain still applies.
Is the Apostille placed on the PCC or the translation?
On the certified translation (or the original PCC, if the destination accepts Thai). MFA affixes a rectangular Apostille stamp with a code and QR for online verification.
Can I obtain the Apostille myself?
Yes. MFA accepts direct filings, but the translation must first come from a registered translator, and queue time is 3-7 days. With NYC Legal it drops to 1-3 days.
Do all Hague members accept Thailand's Apostille immediately?
Most do. A few members may lodge a bilateral objection — check hcch.net or ask our team to verify before you file.
What does an Apostille cost?
Government fee THB 400 (standard) / THB 800 (rush) + our service THB 1,500-2,500 including travel and delivery.