How Notary Public Services Work in Thailand

When preparing to submit documents for official purposes, you may be required to have them first validated through a notary public in Thailand for them to be deemed acceptable. Whether these documents are contracts, affidavits, or business agreements, having them notarized is crucial to confirming that they are properly signed, recognized legally, and genuine.

In this article, we’ll cover what notary public services are, the kinds of documents you would typically need to be notarized, and the steps you would need to take to get them notarized in Thailand.

What are Notary Public Services?

Notary public services are services provided by officials who have been licensed by the State to perform duties such as:

1. Authenticating signatures and documents; and
2. Witnessing affidavits and statements of persons under oath

However, there are no notaries public in Thailand, as the country is not a member of the Hague Convention on Legalization of Foreign Public Documents. Even so, it is still possible to have your documents notarized in Thailand through the services of a Notarial Service Attorney (NSA), who is an individual certified to perform official notarial services in Thailand. 

Though the terms notary public and NSA are often used interchangeably in Thailand, it is important to note that you will need to receive confirmation from the requesting authority whether notarization by an NSA is acceptable.

When is Notarization Required in Thailand?

The purpose of notarization is usually to confirm that a document is a true copy of an original official document, or that a signature is genuine and was made by the person requesting notarization (in this case, you). Notarization ensures these documents are legally binding, genuine, and acceptable for official purposes by private and state institutions.

You may be required to have certain documents notarized before submitting them to government agencies and private organizations such as when registering your marriage and engaging in important business transactions. 

A notary signature and stamp may also be required on all the documents you intend to submit to international institutions. In Thailand, this often applies to the following institutions:

• Banks
• Educational Institutions
• Embassies
• Government Offices
• Private Organizations

Note, however, that notarization is not the same as legalization. For a document to be acceptable for international institutions or foreign governments outside of Thailand, it typically must first be legalized by the requesting government’s embassy or the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Check with the requesting authority for the specific requirements they have for accepting documents. If they request legalized documents, it is likely that these documents must be translated and notarized first.

What Documents Need to be Notarized in Thailand?

As we’ve covered, whether or not a document needs to be notarized heavily depends on the organization or institution requesting it. In Thailand, however, you would normally need to notarize the following documents before submitting them for official purposes:

• Business-Related Documents: Business contracts, company resolutions, minutes from business meetings, annual reports, and articles of association
• Documents for Foreign Visa Applications: Translated documents and forms
• Identification Documents: Passports, ID cards, proof of address, birth and marriage certificates, educational certificates, and criminal record certificates
• Financial Documents: Bank statements, letters from financial institutions, and documents needed to open a bank account
• Legal Documentation: Power of attorney and affidavits.
• Property Documents: Title deeds, items needed to sell or transfer property, and property documents for international use.

How to Get a Document Notarized in Thailand

After determining which documents you need to get notarized, here are the steps you would need to take to hire the services of an NSA in Thailand:

1. Consult with the relevant authority to make sure your documents need to be notarized and if notarization by a Thai NSA is acceptable. This is a necessary first step, as notarizing any item involves a fee.
2. Get in touch with a legal office or law firm that employs an NSA (not all do). Send them high-quality scans or pictures first so that they can review the documents to ensure that they can be notarized.
3. Once the document has been reviewed and you’ve received confirmation from the relevant authority that notarization by an NSA is acceptable, make an appointment with the legal office or law firm to begin the notarization process.
4. Attend the appointment in person with the original documents for notarization and your original valid passport. 
5. Once the documents have been notarized, collect and submit them to the appropriate authorities. However, it is important to keep in mind that some documents may also need to be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before submission.

Obtaining Notary Services in Thailand

If you are in need of a bilingual NSA in Thailand, they can typically be found in legal offices and law firms in large population centers like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. However, it is crucial that you select a trustworthy law firm that will handle your documents with the utmost professionalism and care. 

A single missing notary stamp or signature may lead to a rejection or failed process with the requesting authority, wasting your time and money. A failure at this stage may also affect future applications or submissions.

It is also important to note that before booking an appointment to have your documents notarized, you should make sure that you’ve received clear instructions from the requesting authority as to which kind of notary service you need. This step will not only help you avoid any unnecessary expenses but will also save you time from having to repeat the process and delay you from achieving your end goal.