Legalising Thai documents for use in South Korea
In short
Thai documents used in South Korea normally require a freshly issued original, a complete translation, and legalisation by the Thai Department of Consular Affairs; certification by the Korean Embassy follows only where the receiving Korean office requires it. Korea is a contracting party to the Apostille Convention, so once the Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027 an Apostille may replace the embassy stage.
Who needs this
- • People applying for a Korean visa or residence status using Thai civil-status records.
- • Workers under employment schemes who must present a police clearance certificate and health or education records.
- • Students lodging Thai transcripts with Korean institutions.
Language and format required
English is widely accepted; some Korean offices require Korean. Confirm the requirement before ordering the translation.
Step by step
1. Confirm which layers the Korean office wants
Get the requirement in writing from the receiving office or read its published notice, then keep it with your file.
2. Order a fresh original in Thailand
A newly issued copy keeps seals and signatures verifiable at the consular stage.
3. Translate the document in full
Nothing may be summarised or omitted, and names must be spelled as in the passport.
4. Lodge for consular legalisation
Follow the current channel and supporting-document list published by the Department of Consular Affairs.
5. Lodge with the Korean mission if required
Where required, present the legalised document with the mission's own form and appointment.
Points to watch
- • A document rejected once for an incomplete translation must repeat the whole chain, so check the translation before legalisation.
- • Employment schemes often set their own document age limits, separate from the mission's rules.
- • Korean transliteration of names should follow any earlier Korean records you hold.
Apostille status you should know
Thailand deposited its instrument of accession to the Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026, and the Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027 according to the HCCH. Once in force, Thai public documents used in another contracting party can carry an Apostille instead of the double legalisation step at an embassy. Before that date the existing consular-plus-embassy chain still applies, and documents destined for non-contracting countries will continue to require embassy legalisation afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Is Korean Embassy certification always needed?
No. Many Korean offices accept consular legalisation with a complete translation. Confirm with the office that will receive the document.
Which language should the translation be in?
English is commonly accepted, but immigration and municipal offices may require Korean. Ask before ordering so you do not pay twice.
How recent must a police clearance certificate be?
The receiving office sets the limit; three to six months is common. Time the request so the certificate is still valid at the moment of filing.
Will an Apostille replace this after February 2027?
For documents used between Thailand and Korea, yes in principle, from the entry-into-force date published by the HCCH. Individual offices may take time to adjust their published guidance.
Can you help while I am already in Korea?
Yes. Translation is fully online, and Thai-side stages requiring the paper original can be handled by an authorised representative.
How much does it cost?
It depends on document count, language pair and the stages actually required. Send the scans by LINE, phone or email and our staff will quote first.
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Content last reviewed: August 2026