How does Thailand's 2025 Apostille convention work in practice?
Thailand deposited its instrument of accession to the Hague Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026, with entry into force on 28 Feb 2027 (effective for Thailand 28 Feb 2027). Apostilles are issued by the MFA Department of Consular Affairs in Chaeng Watthana for 125+ member states; embassy legalization is no longer needed for those countries. Thai Notary process: THB 2,500–4,500, 3–5 working days.
Detailed Answer
Thailand deposited its accession instrument on 28 February 2027 and the Apostille Convention will enter into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. From that date, a single Apostille certificate issued by the Department of Consular Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chaeng Watthana Road) replaces the previous MFA-then-Embassy legalization chain for any of the 125+ Convention member states (US, UK, all EU, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Australia, etc.). Non-member destinations (e.g. UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Taiwan, mainland China for now) still require traditional consular legalization. Thai Notary workflow: (1) prepare original or notarized copy, (2) translate into Thai if foreign-issued, (3) MFA legalizes underlying document, (4) MFA affixes Apostille sticker, (5) we courier back. THB 2,500 base + THB 200/page MFA fee. Standard 3–5 working days, express 1–2 days.