Q1087. Is it safe to ship original foreign documents via international couriers (DHL, FedEx) to agencies in Thailand?

Answered by the NYC Visa & Translation legalization desk

International courier shipment can be practical, but it is not risk-free when irreplaceable originals are involved. Before dispatch, verify the agency’s identity, physical delivery address, named recipient, and written arrangements for document custody and return. Ask whether originals are actually required, scan every page, and create an inventory acknowledged by the recipient. Use protective packaging, tracking, and delivery confirmation; check the courier’s exclusions because compensation may not cover replacement expenses or consequential losses. Avoid sending your original passport unless expressly required and permitted by the carrier. A common pitfall is assuming declared-value coverage fully protects unique civil documents. Verify original-document requirements with the receiving official authority before filing.