Notarial Services Attorney vs Embassy Certification in Thailand
Thailand has no notary public in the common-law sense. The Lawyers Council of Thailand licenses Notarial Services Attorneys, and knowing the limits of that licence prevents a rejected file abroad.
In short
A Notarial Services Attorney can certify signatures, true copies, affidavits and declarations for use abroad, usually same day. An embassy certifies documents for its own country's system, and some authorities accept nothing else. Many files need the attorney first, then MFA, then the embassy.
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | Notarial Services Attorney (Thailand) | Embassy or consulate certification |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Lawyers Council of Thailand notarial licence | The receiving country's consular regulations |
| Turnaround | Same day in most cases | By appointment, days to weeks |
| Signature witnessing | Yes | Yes, for its own nationals or documents |
| True copy certification | Yes | Usually only for documents it issued |
| Acceptance abroad | Depends on the recipient; often needs MFA legalisation | Generally within that country's own system; confirm with the recipient |
| Language | Thai and English | That country's official language |
| Cost pattern | Per document, quoted before signing | Consular tariff plus appointment time |
| Common combination | Attorney then MFA then embassy | Embassy alone when it issued the document |
Choose Notarial Services Attorney (Thailand) when
- Certifying a passport copy, power of attorney or affidavit for use abroad
- Signing a company resolution that a foreign registry must accept
- Witnessing a declaration of single status before an embassy appointment
Choose Embassy or consulate certification when
- The document must carry your own embassy's seal, for example a US affidavit
- You are renewing or replacing a document that embassy issued
- The receiving office names the embassy explicitly in its checklist
Frequently asked questions
- Is a Notarial Services Attorney the same as a notary public?
- Functionally similar for cross-border paperwork, but the licence comes from the Lawyers Council of Thailand rather than a notarial statute, and the certificate wording reflects that.
- Do I need MFA legalisation after notarisation?
- Usually yes when the document leaves Thailand, because the receiving authority wants confirmation of the attorney's signature.
- Can it be done outside Bangkok?
- Yes. We arrange attorney appointments in provincial locations and courier the file back for legalisation.
- What should I bring?
- The original document, your passport, and the receiving office's instructions. Send them ahead by LINE @NAATI so the certificate wording matches.
Not sure which route your document needs?
Send scans and the receiving authority's checklist on LINE @NYC168 or by email, and our team will confirm the correct route and a written quote before any work starts.
Official sources — legalization, apostille, notary
The information on this page follows the official sources below. Always check the latest version before you file.
- Department of Consular Affairs — document legalisation— Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Legalization e-Service appointment system— Department of Consular Affairs
- HCCH — Apostille Convention (5 October 1961) full text & status table— Hague Conference on Private International Law
- Lawyers Council of Thailand — Notarial Services Attorneys— Lawyers Council of Thailand
- Department of Provincial Administration — civil & family registration— Department of Provincial Administration
- Royal Thai Government Gazette— Royal Thai Government Gazette
Related services
Most document work runs across several steps — jump straight to the next one you need.
- Certified translation
- Notary Public
- Consular legalization
- Police clearance certificate
- Company & BOI
- Full service index
Contact us by phone, LINE or email for a free initial enquiry and a quote after document review. Timing depends on the work and relevant authorities.
General information before proceeding: Confirm current requirements with the receiving authority before using your documents. This page is not a legal opinion for your individual case — meet the team · editorial policy
Not sure which service you need? Read the guides
Each guide answers first, then explains: decision criteria, comparison tables, the real process and the mistakes we see most often.
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How to pick a translator accepted by consular, embassy and receiving bodies
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- Notary Public and consular legalization
The correct order of steps before sending documents abroad
- Choosing the right visa and work permit
Compare visa categories and the documents each one needs translated
- Translation by language
English, Chinese, Japanese, European, Arabic, Russian and embassy rules
- Specialized translation
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