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MFA Certification of Translation. MFA government fee THB 200 + service fee per quotation, 2–5 business days · consular post attestation included…
MFA Certification of Translation. MFA government fee THB 200 + service fee per quotation, 2–5 business days · consular post attestation included…
Thailand is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention 1961, so every Thai public document used overseas must go through the legalization chain: origin agency → MFA → destination diplomatic mission. MFA government fees are THB 200 per copy (2-day standard) and THB 400 per copy (1-day express). Our bundled service fee starts at Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation and varies by document type and destination country. MFA government fees are THB 200 per copy (2-day standard) and THB 400 per copy (1-day express). Our bundled service fee starts at Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation and varies by instrument type and destination country.
Thailand uses a 3-step Legalization Chain (origin → MFA → diplomatic mission), while Hague Apostille Convention 1961 member states use a single-step Certificate authentication from a Competent Authority — directly accepted by every member country. Thailand is not yet a member, so the MFA developed the legalization chain to ensure Thai documents are accepted in every destination country.
Certification of translations done by MFA-recognized translators. Language conversions must match the source verbatim — reference numbers, dates, signatures, and stamps included.
The MFA online booking portal is consular.mfa.go.th — public slots open 7-14 days out. Express service is walk-in only before 08:00 on business days, capped at 50 tickets/day, with a Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation/doc surcharge. We hold reserved slots through a corporate account, cutting turnaround to 1-2 commercial days.
Certifying copies of Thai government records (house registration, ID, marriage certificate, birth certificate) requires the original brought in for verification. We certify Thai copies and English translations in one stop before MFA submission — bundled Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation/doc.
MFA regional branches (Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Songkhla, Phuket) handle basic legalization with shorter queues than Bangkok by 2-3 business days, but cannot process certain corporate documents that require Chaeng Wattana HQ. We route between channels case-by-case.
Signatures sometimes don't match the MFA database (officer changed; signature not yet updated in the system). The fix is to return the document to the issuing authority for a signature update or fresh re-issue under the current signatory — adds 5-10 business days.
MFA legalization is performed at the Department of Consular Affairs, Chaeng Watthana Soi 19 (opposite the Government Complex) or at regional Passport Service offices. The five core steps: (1) bring the original document already certified by its origin authority (district office, university, DBD, court), (2) confirm whether translation is required first, (3) submit the application form, (4) pay Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation per copy (Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation express), (5) collect the document with the Department of Consular Affairs red seal.
Required documents: original document already certified by the origin agency, certified translation in English or destination language (if needed), translator's certification statement from a registered translator, original Thai national ID card and copy, Power of Attorney with Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation stamp duty (if not appearing in person), and a purpose letter from the destination authority.
MFA government fees are THB 200 per copy for standard (2-business-day return) and THB 400 per copy for express (1-enterprise-day return). Our bundled service fee covers document running, follow-up, translation, consulate submission, and DHL/FedEx shipping — starting at Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation for simple cases and Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation for multi-agency documents.
A Notarial Services Attorney certifies signatures, identity, or copies as the first link inside Thailand. MFA Nitikorn certifies that the origin agency's stamp/signature (including the Notary's) is genuine. Diplomatic mission Legalization is the final step where the destination consulate authenticates the MFA seal. Documents become usable abroad only after all three layers are complete.
A fully MFA-legalized document carries the red Department of Consular Affairs seal, the Head of Legalization Section's signature, a reference number, an issue date, and explicit wording stating that only the origin agency's stamp and signature are certified. The reference number can be verified in real time on the MFA online verification system.
MFA accepts translations from registered translators or recognized language conversion companies — list at consular.mfa.go.th. Translations must match the source verbatim including reference numbers, dates, signatures, and stamps. Common languages: English, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese.
Book online at qlegal.consular.go.th. Chaeng Watthana hours: Mon–Fri 08:30–14:30 for filing (overall service window 09:00–16:00). Closed weekends and public holidays. Regional branches with legalization service: Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Songkhla, and Phuket.
After MFA, the final step is filing at the destination consular post in Bangkok. Each diplomatic mission has its own turnaround, fees, and requirements — typically 3–10 business days. Some embassies (China, Germany, France) require advance online appointments. Our team books the slot and submits on your behalf when embassy rules permit.
Clients who cannot travel to MFA Chaeng Watthana can engage us under a Power of Attorney with Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation stamp duty, plus copies of both parties' Thai national IDs. We handle every step — filing, follow-up, document collection, and onward consulate submission.
Common reasons for rejection or delay: missing origin-agency certification, translation not matching the source, unclear stamps/signatures, expired documents (e.g. Single Status past 6 months), or using a translator not on the MFA list. A pre-filing review with our team eliminates these risks.
Foreign nationals living in Thailand can use our MFA legalization service for personal documents created in Thailand — Thai marriage certificate to a Thai national, child birth certificate, Power of Attorney, Affidavit, etc. — before sending them home. Same workflow as Thai nationals, with passport and visa copies attached.
Once the legalization chain is complete, we ship via DHL or FedEx Express to any destination worldwide in 3–7 days with full tracking. Postage starts at Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation to nearby countries and Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation to long-haul destinations.
consular.mfa.go.th
08:30–14:30
77 provinces · Worldwide
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| Step | Performed by | Documents needed | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Confirm the certification format the receiving body requires | Applicant + receiving authority | Published requirements or the authority's written reply | approx. 1 day |
| 2. Translate and proofread names, numbers and legal terms | Translator and reviser | Legible original + passport copy | approx. 1–3 working days |
| 3. Issue the certificate of translation accuracy | Translator or Notarial Services Attorney, as required | Finished translation | approx. 1 working day |
| 4. Legalization or Apostille for overseas use | Department of Consular Affairs, MFA | Original + certified translation | approx. 2–7 working days |
Durations are estimates and depend on the responsible authority's queue. Always confirm current requirements with the receiving body before filing.
Australian submissions are a separate regime and need translation by a NAATI-certified practitioner; for hearings and government appointments see our specialised interpreting service.
Written from the competent authority's published rules, not marketing copy.
Many Thai official documents contain terms with no direct equivalent in the target language, such as agency names or register types. The accepted approach is transliteration with an explanatory note, not reinterpretation into a foreign equivalent.
Before ordering, ask the receiving party which category of translation is required and how many certification layers follow. Those two answers determine the entire timeline. Send us document images by phone, LINE, or email for an accurate assessment.
Our staff checks page count, language pair and receiving authority before issuing a quotation.
Ask us or request a quote right away
Competent authority: Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, MFA
Official sources: consular.mfa.go.th/th/publicservice/legalization · www.dopa.go.th
General guidance only. Requirements and processing times change — always verify with the competent authority before filing.
Unsure which route applies to your case? Ask our staff directly.
Can't find your exact case? Ask our staff directly — enquiries are free.
Answers follow the competent authority's published requirements, not marketing copy.
Turnaround is not fixed: it depends on the queue and rules of Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, MFA, the document type, and the receiving office abroad. For that reason we do not publish a fixed figure. Plan a buffer before your real deadline and ask our staff by phone, LINE or email for the current queue before booking travel. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.
Validity is set by the receiving office, not by the service provider. Many offices accept only recently issued documents, so confirm the destination's window first and only then start the process with Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, MFA, to avoid the document expiring while it waits in the queue. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.
Some steps require the document owner to sign or appear; others accept a power of attorney. It depends on the rules of Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, MFA and on the document type, so confirm before booking an appointment rather than travelling and being turned away. Our staff can clarify by phone, LINE or email. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.
Scope varies widely per case — page count, languages, number of certification rounds, and the official fees charged by Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, MFA under its published schedule. A single headline figure would be misleading, so we quote against the actual documents. Send the details by phone, LINE or email for an assessment matched to your case. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.
Obtain freshly issued civil-registry extracts before translating and filing. The competent authority is Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, MFA. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.
The Department certifies either the signature and seal of the issuing official or the accuracy of a translation — request the type the destination needs. The competent authority is Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, MFA. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.
Foreign documents must first be certified in the issuing country (Apostille or the relevant authority) before Thai translation and filing here. The competent authority is Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, MFA. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.
Bring the document owner's passport or ID copy, plus a power of attorney if someone files on their behalf. The competent authority is Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, MFA. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.
Your case may have specific conditions — ask our staff directly.
Official sources: consular.mfa.go.th · www.dopa.go.th
The paths most clients take next — ask us by phone, LINE or email at any step.
Thailand deposited its instrument of accession to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026, and the Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. Until that date, Thai documents used abroad still require legalisation by the Department of Consular Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) followed by legalisation at the destination country's embassy.
Today (before 28 February 2027) Thai documents used abroad still follow the existing chain: certified translation → notarial attestation → legalisation by the Department of Consular Affairs (MFA) → legalisation at the destination country's embassy in Thailand.
Once the Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027, Thai public documents sent to any of the 130 Contracting Parties will require only a single Apostille from the Department of Consular Affairs, with no further embassy legalisation.
Source: HCCH (Hague Conference on Private International Law) Thailand accedes to the 1961 Apostille Convention
Composite cases assembled from commonly seen matters — not individual clients, no personal data.
an attorney-in-fact acting for the document holder from Chiang Rai — the signatory and the applicant were in different provinces, so signing and shipping had to be planned
What we handled: delivered a scanned set plus the originals with lodgement instructions · reviewed the source documents and flagged which ones needed re-issuing before work began · arranged the signing or lodgement appointment and listed what to bring · sequenced the certification chain to match the destination authority's rules
What clients usually ask in matters like this: how long does the set stay valid after certification?
Indicative timeline: roughly 5–10 working days end to end
a Thai–foreign couple filing together from Canada — the signatory and the applicant were in different provinces, so signing and shipping had to be planned
What we handled: delivered a scanned set plus the originals with lodgement instructions · tracked progress between steps and reported status along the way · prepared the translation and reconciled every name spelling against the passport
What clients usually ask in matters like this: are true originals required, or will certified copies do?
Indicative timeline: roughly 5–10 working days end to end
a foreign national living in Thailand from South Korea — the originals were issued abroad, so the origin-country chain had to be completed first
What we handled: sequenced the certification chain to match the destination authority's rules · delivered a scanned set plus the originals with lodgement instructions · prepared the translation and reconciled every name spelling against the passport
What clients usually ask in matters like this: if I am upcountry or abroad, must I attend in person?
Indicative timeline: roughly 7–14 working days end to end
Browse every case for this service — MFA Department of Consular Affairs legalisation
The guidance on this page follows the rules published by the authorities below. Always confirm the current version on the official site before filing.
