Q1344. Apostille vs consular legalisation — which one applies to Thai documents?

Answered by the NYC Visa & Translation team

An Apostille is a certificate under the Hague Convention that lets documents move between member countries without embassy legalisation. Countries outside the convention require the 'legalisation chain': certification by the origin country's foreign ministry, then by the destination country's embassy. Thailand has acceded to the Apostille Convention, with entry into force announced for late February 2027. Until that date, Thai documents still follow the consular legalisation chain, and foreign documents for use in Thailand must be legalised in their country of origin. Practical advice: always check with the receiving authority whether they want an Apostille or consular legalisation, especially during the transition period, because requirements may differ between offices. This is general guidance; requirements and fees change — always verify with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Revenue Department, the Department of Business Development, or the receiving authority before proceeding.