Notary Public services in Thailand
Signature certification, certified true copies and affidavits handled by a Notarial Services Attorney registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand, for Thai and foreign clients who need Thai documents accepted overseas.
Short answer
Thailand has no common-law Notary Public office. The equivalent work is performed by a Notarial Services Attorney registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand. The attorney certifies signatures, the identity of signatories, and that copies match originals — not that the contents of a document are true — and this is separate from translation certification issued by the Department of Consular Affairs. Certification usually takes 1–2 business days.
Documents we certify
- Power of attorneyHow a power of attorney signed in Thailand is notarised by a Notarial Services Attorney for use overseas: documents to prepare, the certification chain, common rejection reasons, and FAQs.
- Affidavit / statutory declarationHow to have an affidavit or statutory declaration signed and certified by a Notarial Services Attorney in Thailand for use with overseas authorities, courts, and universities.
- Certified true copyHow a Notarial Services Attorney certifies that a copy matches the original Thai document, which originals must be presented, and how the copy fits into the overseas legalisation chain.
- Child travel consentHow a parental consent letter for a child travelling abroad is notarised in Thailand: who must sign, what identification and custody evidence to bring, and common rejection reasons.
- Corporate documentsHow company affidavits, shareholder lists, board resolutions, and director signatures are notarised in Thailand for foreign registries, banks, and counterparties.
- Education documentsHow Thai degree certificates, transcripts, and enrolment letters are certified by a Notarial Services Attorney for foreign universities, employers, and skills assessment bodies.
- Single status documentsHow a Thai single status record or a declaration of marital status is certified for a marriage registration abroad, including the documents to bring and typical rejection reasons.
- Contracts and agreementsHow signatures on contracts and agreements signed in Thailand are certified by a Notarial Services Attorney for overseas counterparties, registries, and courts.
What the attorney can certify
- • Witness and certify a signature executed in front of the attorney
- • Certify that a photocopy is a true copy of the original document presented
- • Administer and certify an affidavit or statutory declaration signed in the attorney's presence
- • Certify the capacity and authority of a person signing on behalf of a company, based on the corporate records presented
- • Certify facts the attorney has personally observed, such as the identity of the signatory
What it does not cover
- • It does not certify that the statements inside the document are true — only the signature or the match with the original
- • It is not the translation certification issued by the Department of Consular Affairs; if the receiving authority asks for a certified translation, that step is separate
- • It is not a civil-law notary who drafts public instruments, and the attorney is not a government office
- • It cannot issue an Apostille — an Apostille is issued only by the competent authority of the country of origin
- • It cannot guarantee acceptance; the receiving authority always retains discretion
The document chain: from certification to the receiving authority
| Step | Who performs it | What is certified | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Signature / true-copy certification | Notarial Services Attorney in Thailand | The signature, the signatory's identity, or the match with the original | 1–2 business days |
| 2. Translation into the target language | A translator accepted by the destination (NAATI, sworn, or MoJ-listed) | Accuracy of the translation | 2–5 business days |
| 3. Translation certification / legalisation | Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand | The official's signature and the translation | Varies with the authority's queue |
| 4. Apostille or destination embassy | Competent authority / the destination embassy in Thailand | Authenticity of the seals and signatures from the previous step | Varies with the authority's queue |
Frequently asked questions
Does Thailand have a Notary Public?
Thailand is a civil-law country and does not have a Notary Public office in the common-law sense. The equivalent function is performed by a Notarial Services Attorney — a licensed Thai lawyer who has completed the notarial services course and is registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand. Overseas authorities generally accept this certification as the Thai equivalent of notarisation.
How long does notarisation take in Thailand?
The certification itself is usually completed in 1–2 business days once every signatory has attended in person with valid identification. Later steps such as translation, consular legalisation, or an Apostille add their own processing time, which depends on the queue at each authority.
Do I need to attend in person?
Yes for anything involving a signature. The attorney must witness the signature being made, so the signatory attends with an original passport or ID card. True-copy certification does not require the document holder to sign, but the original document must be physically presented.
What identification is required?
A valid passport for non-Thai signatories, or a Thai national ID card for Thai citizens. The name on the identification must match the name printed in the document exactly. If the document uses a former name, bring the change-of-name certificate as well.
Is notarisation enough for use overseas?
It depends on the receiving authority. Some accept the attorney's certification alone. Many require the document to be translated and then legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs, and some require an Apostille or embassy legalisation afterwards. Always confirm the exact chain with the receiving authority before starting.
Can the notarised document be used in Australia?
Australian authorities normally focus on the translation being produced by a NAATI-certified translator. Notarisation is requested when the document is a declaration, power of attorney, or copy that must be verified. The two services are separate and are often required together.
Does Thailand issue an Apostille?
Thailand deposited its instrument of accession to the HCCH Apostille Convention, and its entry into force and operational details are published by the HCCH and by the Department of Consular Affairs. Because implementation dates and the designated competent authority may change, confirm the current position on the official HCCH and consular websites before planning your document chain.
Can documents be certified in a language other than Thai or English?
The attorney certifies the signature or the copy, not the language content. Documents in other languages can be certified, but the receiving authority will usually still require a translation into its own official language, prepared by a translator that authority recognises.
Related pages
Reviewed August 2026. This page is general procedural information, not legal advice for an individual matter. Confirm current requirements with the Lawyers Council of Thailand and the Department of Consular Affairs.