ใบอนุญาตจากสภาทนายความในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์

ทนายอนุตรีย์ • Miss Anutaree

Notarial Services Attorney • Sworn Translator

ทนายจิรพันธ์ • Mr. Jirapan

Notarial Services Attorney • Corporate Counsel

ทนายจิรศักดิ์ • Mr. Jirasak

Notarial Services Attorney • Litigation

ทนายปฏิภาณ • Mr. Patipan

Notarial Services Attorney • Immigration

ทนายวราวุธ • Mr. Warawut

Notarial Services Attorney • Real Estate

ทนายวิวัฒน์ • Mr. Wiwat

Notarial Services Attorney • Family & Marriage

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Notarial Services Attorney vs MFA legalisation in Thailand

A Notarial Services Attorney certifies a signature made in front of them, a true copy, or an oath. The Department of Consular Affairs certifies that the signature and seal on the document — either of the issuing Thai authority or of a notarial attorney whose specimen signature is on file — are genuine. They are two different links in one chain, not alternatives: private documents usually go to the attorney first and only then to the MFA.

Point-by-point comparison

	Notarial Services Attorney	MFA Department of Consular Affairs
What is certified	Signature, true copy or oath taken in the attorney's presence	Authenticity of the signature and seal of the Thai issuer or registered attorney
Who performs it	Lawyer licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand (notarial services regulation, 2003)	Legalisation Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Typical documents	Power of attorney, affidavit, passport copy, private contracts	Thai civil-registry and government documents, plus private documents already notarised
Official fee	No government fee — professional fee only	THB 200 per stamp (normal) or THB 400 per stamp (express)
Approximate turnaround	Same day when the document and ID are ready	Around 3 working days normal; express often same day, subject to queue
Attendance	The signer must appear in person to sign in front of the attorney	May be filed by an authorised representative with the MFA's required forms
Translation	Not required unless the destination asks for it	Thai-language documents for overseas use normally need a certified translation first

Notarial Services Attorney — choose this when

The requirement only says "notarised" or "certified true copy"
A private document that needs a witnessed signature: POA, affidavit, declaration
You need the document today and the destination has not asked for consular layers

MFA Department of Consular Affairs — choose this when

The requirement names the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or "consular legalisation"
The document must go on to the destination country's embassy in Bangkok
It is a Thai government document — house registration, birth or marriage certificate — for overseas use

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need both?

No. Some destinations accept the attorney's certification alone; others require the full chain through the MFA and the embassy. Follow the written requirement from the receiving authority rather than a general rule. Information current as of August 2026. Requirements change — confirm with the authority that will receive the document before you file. Acceptance is at their discretion.

Can the MFA legalise a document signed by a lawyer who is not registered with them?

No. The Legalisation Division compares the lawyer's signature with the specimen on file. If the attorney has not filed a specimen signature, or the filing has lapsed, the document is returned.

Can I do the MFA step first and the notarial step after?

In practice no. Certification chains run upward from the person who created the document to progressively higher authorities. Reversing the order normally means starting again.

Does the MFA check whether the content of my document is true?

No. Legalisation confirms the authenticity of a signature and seal only. Neither the MFA nor the attorney vouches for the accuracy of the statements inside the document.

Not sure which layer your destination requires? Send us the written requirement from the receiving authority and we will map the exact chain before you pay for anything.

Information current as of August 2026. Requirements change — confirm with the authority that will receive the document before you file. Acceptance is at their discretion.