Q1118. How do I process MFA legalization for foreign medical records required by Thai hospitals?

Answered by the NYC Visa & Translation legalization desk

Start with the Thai hospital’s records or international patient department, because foreign medical records do not automatically require MFA legalization. Ask which records it needs, whether English is acceptable, and whether certified translations or authenticated copies are necessary. If legalization is specifically requested, obtain officially signed or certified records from the issuing provider. Ask the responsible Thai embassy how private medical documents must be notarized or authenticated before consular legalization. Complete that route, prepare any required Thai translation, and submit for Department of Consular Affairs legalization where applicable. A common pitfall is assuming an unsigned patient-portal printout is suitable for authentication. Verify the required document format and legalization route with the responsible Thai embassy before filing.