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

เลื่อนดูใบอนุญาตทั้งหมด →

MFA legalisation vs lawyer certification — which layer does the translation need?

The Department of Consular Affairs legalises translations between Thai and English (and Thai-language originals) as a government act, charging THB 200 per stamp for the normal service and THB 400 per stamp for the express service. A Notarial Services Attorney certifies signatures and copies as a private professional act, works in any language pair and is far faster. Foreign government recipients and destination embassies generally require the MFA stamp; private recipients and many onward-notarisation chains only need the lawyer layer.

Point-by-point comparison

	MFA consular legalisation	Lawyer certification
Nature of the act	Government legalisation by the MFA	Private professional certification by a licensed attorney
Official fee	THB 200 per stamp normal, THB 400 per stamp express	Professional fee per signature, quoted per document
Typical turnaround	About 2–3 working days normal, same/next day express	Usually same day or next day by appointment
Language coverage	Mainly Thai and English	Any language pair we can source a qualified translator for
Accepted by	Destination embassies and foreign government bodies	Private recipients, and as the step before MFA
Position in the chain	Usually after translation and lawyer certification	Usually the first certification step

MFA consular legalisation — choose this when

A foreign government body or embassy asks for MFA or consular legalisation
The document is Thai↔English and will be filed abroad
The onward step is legalisation at the destination embassy in Bangkok

Lawyer certification — choose this when

You need a language pair the MFA does not routinely legalise
The recipient is a private organisation or overseas lawyer
You need a fast first-layer certification before the MFA appointment

Frequently asked questions

Can I go straight to the MFA without lawyer certification?

Sometimes, depending on the document. Many documents need a certified translation attached in the MFA's required format first, which is why we check the document before booking the appointment.

Is the express MFA service worth it?

The express service costs THB 400 per stamp instead of THB 200 and shortens the wait considerably. If your submission deadline is tight it is usually the cheaper option overall.

Does the MFA legalise translations into Japanese or Chinese?

The consular legalisation service is centred on Thai and English. For other target languages the practical route is a certified translation plus lawyer certification, then legalisation of the underlying Thai or English document.

Do I need both layers?

For most documents heading abroad, yes — lawyer certification first, then MFA, then the destination embassy. We confirm the sequence with the receiving authority's written requirement before starting.

Will an apostille replace the MFA stamp?

From 28 February 2027, when the Apostille Convention enters into force for Thailand, apostilles will replace the embassy step for member states. Until then the full chain still applies.

How many stamps will I be charged for?

The MFA charges per stamp, so a multi-document bundle multiplies the fee. Send us the list and we will estimate the stamp count before you go.

Send us a photo of the document plus the written requirement from the receiving authority, and we will map the exact chain — translation, lawyer certification, MFA, embassy — before you pay for anything. Call 094-895-8999 or LINE @Thainotary.

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

Other comparisons

Frequently asked questions