Notary Public for Schengen Visa (29 Countries)

More questions about Schengen visa document notarization

Which Schengen states now accept an apostille instead of embassy legalization?

Since Thailand deposited its instrument of accession on 30 June 2026, with entry into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027, all 26 Schengen states accept the Thai apostille in lieu of embassy legalization. The narrow exceptions are Denmark and Austria, where education-sector documents (transcripts, university degrees) still occasionally require an additional embassy step. Always re-check the destination embassy's website 30 days before submission because individual states periodically adjust their sectoral requirements.

Is an English translation sufficient for a Schengen visa file?

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland prefer the official state language, with English as a courtesy annex. The Nordics (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark) and Ireland accept English in full. We routinely prepare bilingual sets — target language plus a parallel English column — because a bilingual pack is universally accepted across the Schengen area and eliminates the risk of secondary translation demands at the consulate.

Additional frequently asked questions

Can the attestation be used abroad immediately?

It depends on the destination. Many countries additionally require legalisation by the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and sometimes by their own embassy in Bangkok. Confirm the receiving party's chain before starting so the work is not repeated.

Do Thai-language documents need translation first?

If the recipient is a foreign authority, an English translation (or the official language of that country) is normally required, and the translation itself may need certification. The correct order is translate, certify the translation, then legalise.

What is needed to certify corporate documents?

Typically a company affidavit issued by the Department of Business Development within the recency window the recipient allows, ID or passport of the authorised director, the company seal if one is used, and the document to be attested. Scope and requirements are confirmed case by case by phone, LINE or email.

How long does an attested document stay valid?

The attestation itself has no expiry, but recipients such as embassies, banks and universities commonly require documents issued within the last 3–6 months. Always check the recipient's recency rule first.

What if the destination authority rejects the document?

Ask for the rejection reason in writing. Most rejections come from wording of the attestation clause, the order of the legalisation chain, or a translation that does not match the required format — each of which can be corrected without redoing the whole set.

Can the process be started from outside Thailand?

Document review, drafting the attestation wording and coordinating with authorities can all be done remotely. Only steps that legally require personal appearance must be completed before the attesting attorney or through a channel the destination accepts. Scope and requirements are confirmed case by case by phone, LINE or email.

In depth: the real requirements and why documents get rejected — Notary Public

Written from the competent authority's published rules, not marketing copy.

Notarial work in Thailand is performed by lawyers registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand who hold the notarial services endorsement. Verifying that the certifier's registration is current is a step the document owner can and should perform before discussing wording or scheduling.

Conditions you actually have to clear

• When signing for a company, a recently issued company affidavit and evidence of signing authority consistent with the registered restrictions are required.
• The certificate must state the date, the place, the signatory's name, the identification method, and the certifier's registration number; a missing element makes the certificate incomplete abroad.
• Thai-language documents intended for foreign use need a translation permanently bound to the original rather than loosely attached.

Common causes of rejection

• Re-binding the file or removing a seal after certification breaks continuity and forces the process to restart.
• Signing in advance and asking for a backdated certificate — the attestation of signing in the certifier's presence would not match the facts, and the receiving body normally rejects the whole file.

Once the destination country and the receiving office are known, the required certificate form and the following steps can be fixed immediately. Having our team review the case first substantially reduces repeat work.