My document type is not listed. Can you still help?

Usually yes. Send the document and the instruction from the authority that requested it. The chain of certification depends on who issued the document and who will receive it, not on a fixed catalogue, so unusual documents are assessed individually before a plan and a fee are proposed.

Do you handle electronic documents and e-signatures?

Where the receiving authority accepts them, yes. Thailand recognises electronic signatures under its electronic transactions legislation, but many foreign registries and embassies still require a wet-ink original with physical seals. The accepted format should be confirmed in writing before work begins.

What if the destination changes its requirements mid-process?

We re-check requirements close to the filing date for exactly that reason, and if they change we set out the revised steps and any additional cost before continuing. Documents already certified can often be reused in the new chain, which limits the impact.

Intercountry Adoption — Documents for Foreign Authorities

Intercountry adoption filings

Written quotation from staff

Total cost

21–45 days

Business days

Adoptive families, family lawyers

Audience

Documents to prepare

Adoptive parents' marriage certificate
PCC for both parents
Income evidence
Home Study report
Medical certificate

Step-by-step

1
Dept. of Social Development
Obtain Home Study + suitability letter
Fee: written quotation · 14–30 business days
2
Notary Public
Notarize Home Study + family copies
Fee: written quotation · 1–2 business days
3
Certified translator
Translate to destination language — often Sworn Translator
Fee: written quotation · 3–5 business days
4
MFA + Apostille
MFA + Apostille (Hague 1993 Adoption Convention)
Fee: written quotation · 5–10 business days

Key takeaways

Intercountry adoption follows Hague 1993 Convention (separate from 1961)
The destination Central Authority coordinates with Thailand's DSDW directly
Home Study is valid 12 months in most jurisdictions

FAQ

Do I need a lawyer?

Highly recommended to coordinate the full document chain.

DSDW fees?

500–2,000 THB depending on document type.

Total timeline?

6–24 months including Thai and destination processing.

Ready to start?

NYC Legal handles the full chain — Notary through Apostille — with delivery guarantee.

Call +66 92-262-2755

Aspect	On your own	With NYC Legal
Uncertain requirements	Research yourself and risk relying on outdated information.	Requirements are verified with the relevant authority before work begins.
Multiple documents	The wrong order costs weeks.	Sequenced to finish in a single pass wherever possible.
Advice	No one to help weigh the options.	An advisor assesses the alternatives with you.

Option	What it is	Best for	Watch out for
Handle everything yourself	Research the rules, prepare the file and deal with each authority on your own.	Simple cases, when you have time and are located near the relevant offices.	Requirements change often; one missing document or a missed intake window restarts the cycle.
Outsource only part of the process	Hire help for the step you are stuck on, such as translation or a single filing.	People who already understand the process but face time or distance constraints.	If an early step is formatted wrongly, every later step fails with it.
Let us manage the full route (recommended)	Case assessment, route planning, preparation, translation, filing, follow-up and return delivery.	Anyone on a fixed deadline, living upcountry or abroad, who cannot afford a rejected file.	Share the destination requirements up front so we can plan the route correctly in one pass.

Documents to prepare

Step-by-step

Key takeaways

FAQ

Ready to start?

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