Notary Public in Thailand: What It Is, When You Need It and How It Works

In France, Germany or Japan a notary is a separate state-appointed profession. Thai law has no such office. Instead, the Lawyers Council of Thailand trains and registers practising lawyers to issue notarial certificates for documents that will be used abroad. The official English title is Notarial Services Attorney; most people simply say "Thai notary public".

The attorney acts as a neutral witness. The certificate typically states that the named person appeared, proved identity with an original passport or ID card, and signed voluntarily in the attorney's presence, or that a copy matches the original shown. It is not a government act, and it does not replace the Department of Consular Affairs or a foreign embassy.

Before booking, ask to see proof of registration. Every attorney on our team has a public profile with their licence image so recipients can verify who signed the certificate.

• Powers of attorney for someone abroad to sell property, close a bank account or represent you.
• Affidavits and statutory declarations for foreign courts, immigration or pension offices.
• Certified copies of passports, degrees and transcripts for visas, study or professional registration.
• Company documents such as board resolutions and signatory confirmations for foreign banks or subsidiaries.
• Parental consent letters for a child travelling with one parent.

You usually do not need a notary for Thai government-issued records (birth, marriage or company certificates). Those normally go straight to the Department of Consular Affairs, unless the recipient specifically asks for a notarised copy.

1. Private or government document? Private documents start with the notary. Government records usually skip to step 3.
2. Does the recipient accept notarisation alone? Many banks and private companies do. If so, you are finished.
3. Apostille? Thailand has acceded to the Apostille Convention, but it only enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. Until then, Thai documents cannot receive an Apostille and use the consular route below. After that date, an Apostille will usually replace the embassy step for member countries that have not objected.
4. Current route (before 28 Feb 2027): the usual chain is notary (where needed), then Department of Consular Affairs, then the destination country's embassy in Thailand.
5. Translation? Ask which language is accepted and whether the translation must be certified before or after legalisation.

Detailed comparison: notary public vs embassy legalisation and Apostille vs MFA legalisation.

• Signing before the appointment. The attorney must witness the signature, so bring an unsigned document.
• Name mismatches between passport, document and certificate (middle names, maiden names, transliteration).
• Skipping the recipient's written requirements and guessing the legalisation chain.
• Loose pages or missing page numbers; many recipients require a bound, sealed set.
• Company signatories without proof of signing authority.
• Expired identity documents.

We have offices in Bangkok and Khon Kaen; other provinces are served through partner offices. Some recipients accept remote identity verification by video, but many documents must still be signed in person. Send us the recipient's requirements first and we will tell you honestly whether remote handling is possible.