Notarising Thai degrees and transcripts for overseas use
Short answer
Thai education documents are certified by presenting the original degree certificate or transcript to a Notarial Services Attorney, who certifies that the copy matches the original. A translation by a recognised translator is prepared alongside it. Some institutions also require documents to be sent directly by the issuing university, so check before starting.
Universities, employers, and skills assessment authorities abroad usually accept certified copies rather than original degrees, but they set conditions: the copy must be compared against the original, and the translation must come from a translator the authority recognises. In Australia the assessing bodies generally require NAATI-certified translations.
When this is needed
- • Applying to a foreign university or postgraduate programme
- • Submitting evidence to an Australian skills assessment authority
- • Applying for a professional licence or registration overseas
- • Proving qualifications to a foreign employer during recruitment
- • Supporting a skilled migration or points-tested visa application
What to prepare
- • Original degree certificate and full academic transcript, including the grading key on the reverse
- • Passport of the graduate, with the name matching the certificate
- • Change-of-name certificate if the name on the degree differs from the passport
- • The receiving institution's instructions on whether copies or sealed originals are required
- • English versions issued by the university where available, since some authorities prefer them
Step-by-step process
1. Request university-issued English versions first
Many Thai universities issue official English transcripts. Where they exist, they reduce ambiguity in later steps and are often preferred by assessing bodies.
2. Certify the copies against the originals
Present the originals so the attorney can compare and certify each page, including the reverse side that carries the grading scale.
3. Arrange the translation the destination recognises
For Australian bodies this means a NAATI-certified translation. Other destinations may require a sworn or MoJ-listed translator instead.
4. Legalise if the institution asks for it
Where the receiving institution requires legalised documents, the set goes to the Department of Consular Affairs and then for an Apostille or embassy legalisation.
Common reasons documents are rejected
- • Omitting the reverse of the transcript, which usually holds the grading key
- • A name discrepancy between the degree and the passport with no supporting evidence
- • Submitting a certified copy where the institution required documents sent directly by the university
- • Using an unaccredited translator when the authority names a specific accreditation
- • Partial transcripts that omit transfer credits or earlier semesters
Frequently asked questions
Do I need notarisation as well as a NAATI translation?
They serve different purposes. The NAATI translation makes the content readable and acceptable to Australian authorities; notarisation confirms that a copy matches the original. Some bodies require both, others only the translation.
Can you certify a copy of a degree from a foreign university?
Yes, if the original is presented. Some institutions, however, only accept verification through the issuing university.
What if my transcript is only in Thai?
A recognised translation is prepared alongside the certified copy. Request the university's official English version first if one is available.
Are certified copies accepted by skills assessment authorities?
Policies vary by authority and by occupation. Check the specific assessing body's document checklist, since some require certified copies and others accept scanned uploads.
How many certified sets should I prepare?
Prepare one set per institution you are applying to, plus a spare. Producing extra sets later means presenting the originals again.
Does the graduate have to attend?
The person presenting the original attends with identification. For a true-copy certification no signature from the graduate is required.
Related documents
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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Reviewed August 2026. General procedural information only, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the Lawyers Council of Thailand and the Department of Consular Affairs.