Notary Public for Expats in Thailand — 25 Nationalities
Can foreigners in Thailand get documents notarized?
Yes. A Thai Notarial Services Attorney can certify your signature or a true copy of your passport and other documents for use abroad. Some countries prefer their own embassy's notarial service instead. Check with the authority receiving the document which one it accepts.
Nationality can help identify consular guidance, but the document’s issuing country, destination and receiving authority decide the requirements. Choose a country below, then confirm the actual instructions before arranging certification.
Which certification does your recipient need?
- Signature witnessing: ask who must attend and whether the document must be signed in front of the certifier.
- Certified copy: confirm the original to present, the number of copies and the required certificate wording.
- Official authentication: establish where the document was issued and which MFA, embassy or Apostille steps actually apply.
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Frequently asked questions
- Can a Thai notarial services attorney notarise a document for my home country?
- Thailand has no separate notary profession. Certification is performed by a lawyer licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand under the Notarial Services Attorney Regulation B.E. 2551, but overseas acceptance depends on the recipient. Ask which certifier it accepts and whether any Ministry of Foreign Affairs or embassy authentication is required.
- Which nationalities need an Apostille instead of consular legalisation?
- It depends on whether both the issuing state and the receiving state are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. Thailand acceded on 30 June 2026 and the Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027, so, before that date, Thai documents that require overseas authentication should follow the applicable MFA and destination-embassy route. Not every document needs authentication, and nationality alone does not determine the chain.
- Do I have to appear in person?
- Yes for the signature itself. The attorney must see the signatory and the original identity document. Follow-on steps at the MFA Department of Consular Affairs and at an embassy can normally be handled by our runners under a power of attorney.
- What identity document should I bring as a foreign national?
- Your original passport. Some embassies additionally ask for proof of Thai address, a visa page, or a work permit, which is why we confirm the receiving authority's checklist before booking.
- How do I get a quote?
- Send the document type, your nationality and the receiving authority by phone, LINE or email, and our team will confirm the exact chain, the documents to bring, and the timeline for your case.
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
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Most document work runs across several steps — jump straight to the next one you need.
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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
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Frequently asked questions
- Does Thailand have notaries public?
- Thailand uses Notarial Services Attorneys registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand for notarial acts within their permitted scope. Acceptance abroad depends on the recipient. Ask which certifier, wording and any additional authentication it requires; notarial certification is not the same as an Apostille.
- What documents can a Notarial Services Attorney certify?
- Commonly certified items include signatures on powers of attorney, affidavits and statutory declarations, certified true copies of passports and corporate documents, company resolutions and share transfer forms, sponsorship and consent letters, and the identity of a signatory for foreign banks, universities and courts. The attorney certifies the signing act or copy fidelity — not the truth of the content.
- Do I have to sign in person?
- Yes. The attorney must see the signatory in person together with the original passport or Thai ID before certifying a signature, which is the core safeguard of the service. Remote or scanned signatures cannot be certified. Mobile appointments at your office, condominium lobby or a nearby café are available if you cannot come to ours.
- How much does notarial certification cost and how fast is it?
- Attorney notarial certification starts at the current official rate per document, with the final price depending on the number of documents, signatories and whether the appointment is mobile or out of hours. The certification itself is completed during the appointment; only the subsequent MFA and embassy steps add working days.
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