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NYC Legal & Notary
NPT Notary Public Thailand
TRANSLATION & LEGALIZATION

Last reviewed: · by NPT Editorial Team

Reviewed by NPT Editorial TeamEditorial & Compliance TeamEditorially reviewed
Licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand

Witnessing of Contracts and Documents

Notary Public attorneys sign as neutral, highly credible witnesses — confirming the validity of contracts and legal acts.

094-895-8999LINE @Thainotary
Starting fee
Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation/set
Time per session
30–60 minutes
Max witnesses
2 per signing
On-site service
Nationwide
Licensed Notarial Services Attorneys · Lawyers Council of Thailand

Our Team of 6 Licensed Notary Public Attorneys

Witnessing of Contracts and Documents is the act in which a Notary Public attorney signs a legal document as a ‘witness’ — a neutral third party with professional credibility, licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand. Unlike informal witnesses (friends or relatives), whose impartiality may be questioned in court or by foreign authorities, an attorney-witness reduces the risk of rejection and strengthens the evidentiary weight of the document if litigation arises.

Starting fee: Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation/set — Provided by NYC Legal & Notary Service Co., Ltd., DBD Reg. 0435567000061, Thailand.

How to use Witnessing of Contracts and Documents

  1. 1

    Contact us via LINE @Thainotary or call +66 94-895-8999 to describe the document.

  2. 2

    Send a photo/scan in advance so our attorney can review and quote.

  3. 3

    Book an appointment — at our office, on-site, or online via Zoom.

  4. 4

    Prepare original documents and ID/passport per the checklist below.

  5. 5

    Sign in front of the attorney and receive the notarized document the same day.

Documents most commonly witnessed

Business contracts: international real-estate sales, long-term leases, joint ventures, share-purchase agreements, NDAs, franchise agreements, distributor agreements. Personal contracts: wills, prenuptial agreements, asset-division agreements, adoption acknowledgments, medical-treatment consents.

Corporate documents: board and shareholder resolutions, shareholder consents, signing-authority changes, corporate powers of attorney. International documents: case affidavits, foreign-bank acceptance letters, supporting documents for foreign court petitions, and consents in international arbitration.

Why use an attorney-witness instead of a friend or relative?

In court and before foreign authorities, an attorney-witness raises a document's credibility because (1) the attorney is a disinterested third party, (2) the attorney's license can be verified with the Lawyers Council of Thailand, (3) the attorney has a professional duty to verify the parties' identities and voluntariness, and (4) the witnessing event is logged in the Notarial Register, which can be cited in court.

Abroad, bodies like Companies House (UK), state Notary Publics (US), Justices of the Peace (Australia), and 公証役場 (Japan) routinely scrutinize a witness's identity and standing. Using a Notary Public attorney registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand makes the destination authority's verification quick and smooth.

Our witnessing process

Step 1: Send the draft contract or document for pre-review. The attorney checks for void clauses, missing legal elements, and recommends wording improvements. Step 2: Book the signing — at our office, your workplace, a mall, hotel, or home — whichever you prefer.

Step 3: On signing day, the attorney verifies each party's ID, confirms voluntariness, and ensures all parties understand the content. Step 4: Each party signs in front of the attorney; the attorney then signs as witness, applies the Notary seal, logs the act, and issues a witnessing certificate. Step 5 (optional): MFA legalization and destination-embassy attestation.

Case examples — how attorney-witnessing closed real deals

A Company service fee: contact our team for a quotationM Bangkok condo sale between a Thai and foreign buyer — the seller wanted assurance that the transfer documents could not be challenged later. Our team witnessed the signing, certified copies of every document, and archived the file for 15 years.

A Thai-German joint venture — documents needed both Thai and German attorney-witnesses; we coordinated with the German Notar and witnessed on the Thai side, with both parties signing in a video conference attended by both attorneys. A foreign national's will in Chiang Mai — to be effective in Australia, our attorney witnessed alongside an English-language interpreter, then MFA-legalized and shipped to Australia.

Service areas and booking

Witnessing service is available in all 77 provinces. Popular zones include Bangkok and surrounding provinces (all 50 districts — Silom, Sathorn, Asok, Phrom Phong, Thonglor, Ekkamai, Ratchada, Lat Phrao, Rama 9), Phuket/Phang-Nga/Krabi for tourism contracts, Chonburi and Rayong for EEC industrial deals, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for foreign permanent residents. Meet at top malls — CentralWorld, Siam Paragon, ICONSIAM, EmQuartier, Central Embassy and many more.

Pricing and service options

Witnessing service starts at Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation per document set for office appointments. On-site visits in Bangkok add Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation; up-country visits Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation depending on province and number of parties. For complex or high-value contracts, we offer a ‘Full Witnessing Package’ covering draft review, witnessing, certified copies, and a 15-year archive at Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation depending on complexity.

Real notarized samples

Real client samples

Notary Public attorney witnessing a contract
Notary Public attorney witnessing a contract
Contract with attorney-witness signature
Contract with attorney-witness signature

Common documents handled

  • Bangkok condo sale — foreign buyer
  • Thai–German Joint Venture Agreement
  • Will of an Australian resident in Chiang Mai
  • Prenuptial Agreement before marriage registration
  • Shareholders' Agreement for a public company

Before your appointment

  • Original ID of every party
  • Final contract draft to be signed
  • Annexes referenced in the contract (if any)
  • Corporate power of attorney (if signing for a company)
Service fee:Request a quote — Fees depend on document type and destination country — ask our team by phone, LINE or e-mail.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is a Thai Notary Public different from a foreign Notary Public?

In Thailand, the Notary Public role is performed by ‘Notarial Services Attorneys’ licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand. Their certifications are valid abroad once further attested by the MFA Department of Consular Affairs and the destination embassy.

How long does the process take?

Typically 30–60 minutes per document set when booked in advance. MFA legalization adds 1–3 working days.

Can the notarized document be used abroad immediately?

Most overseas use requires three steps: (1) Notary by attorney (2) MFA legalization (3) Destination embassy attestation. We handle all three.

What is the starting fee, and are there additional costs?

Company notary and filing fees: contact our team for a quotation after document review. MFA legalization carries an official government fee of THB 200–800 per document.

How does an attorney-witness differ from a layperson witness in court?

An attorney-witness carries greater evidentiary weight because they have a professional duty to verify identity and voluntariness, and the witnessing event is recorded in an auditable Notarial Register — both of which courts and foreign authorities trust more than a layperson witness.

Can witnessing be done via international video conference?

Where the destination jurisdiction permits, our attorney can witness via video conference jointly with a Notary in the other country — for example, certain US states allow Remote Online Notarization (RON). We confirm feasibility and prepare the destination-compatible format in every engagement.

Authoritative Sources

Service Provider Information

Legal name
NYC Legal & Notary Service Co., Ltd.
DBD Reg. No.
0435567000061
Established
2009
Regulator
Lawyers Council of Thailand
Area served
Thailand + Worldwide (online)
Languages
TH · EN · ZH · JA · KO · DE · FR · ES · +30
Office hours
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00

Verified license

Registered DBD No. 0435567000061

Available

Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00

Coverage

77 provinces + 50 BKK districts + worldwide online

Related services

Notary Public Overview
Certified Translation
Notary for Visas
All Languages
All Services
Contact
Quick answer (40-second read)

Contract witnessing — attorney as independent third party verifies parties' identities, voluntariness of signing and retains a copy as evidence. For real estate, partnership, loan, marriage and prenuptial contracts. Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation/contract, same day.

Key facts

Turnaround
Same day
Fee from
Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation/contract
Accepted by
Thai courts + foreign courts
Validity
No expiry (kept 10 yrs)

Request a quote

Key factsRequest a quoteTurnaround
1 contractRequest a quoteSame day
Real estate (incl. title check)Request a quote1 business day
Multi-party (3+ parties)Request a quoteSame day
Bilingual review (TH/EN)Request a quote1 business day

Fees depend on document type and destination country — ask our team by phone, LINE or e-mail.

Step-by-step

  1. 1
    Send draft
    Send the draft 24 h ahead — free risk-flag review.
  2. 2
    Schedule signing
    Book office or neutral venue (bank, land office, meeting room).
  3. 3
    Attorney witnesses
    Verify all parties' passports + explain legal effect + optional video record.
  4. 4
    Issue cert + archive
    Attorney signs Witness Statement + seal + archives copy 10 years (available for court testimony).

Service-specific FAQ

How is this different from Signature Notarization?

Signature Notarization certifies the signature only; Witness of Contracts covers the entire signing process — ID check on all parties, comprehension confirmation and 10-year archival for court testimony.

Can attorney witness at home/hotel?

Yes — on-site across Bangkok metro at Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation travel; upcountry per distance + travel.

Do you also draft the contract?

Witnessing excludes drafting (must remain independent third party); we offer separate drafting — quote on request by a different attorney.

Why keep a copy?

For future disputes — Notary-archived copy is primary evidence in court under Civil Procedure Code §94.

Will the attorney testify in court?

Yes — the witnessing attorney can be subpoenaed; Company service fee: contact our team for a quotation/day in Thai courts.

Documents we notarize here

Loan / Guarantee Agreement

Related services

Signature Notarization
/signature-authentication
Corporate documents
/corporate-documents
Certificate of Existence
/document-existence

Legal references

  • Lawyers Council of Thailand — Notarial Services Attorney licence issued by the Lawyers Council of Thailand under Royal Patronage. [ref]
  • Civil and Commercial Code of Thailand — Civil & Commercial Code §§ 9 and 798 — signature acknowledgement and powers of attorney. [ref]
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand) — Notarised documents are further authenticated by the MFA Department of Consular Affairs before embassy submission. [ref]

Supplemental Q&A from the 2026 SEO brief (this service)

What do I need for Power-of-Attorney (POA) notarization?

Bring (1) an UNSIGNED draft POA — you must sign in front of the attorney; (2) original passport or Thai ID; (3) attorney-in-fact details; (4) referenced supporting documents (land title, company affidavit). English POAs need a Thai translation if used in Thailand.

Does a foreigner's Will in Thailand need Notary certification?

A Will executed in Thailand under Civil Code §§1655-1672 needs only two witnesses — Notary is not required. But if the Will must be used abroad (e.g. to administer estate in the home country), we recommend Notary + MFA + embassy legalization for smoother acceptance.

How is a Certificate of Single Status notarized?

Thais: obtain from your district office → certified translation → MFA → foreign spouse's embassy. Foreigners: sign an Affidavit of Single Status before a Thai attorney or your embassy → MFA → present at Thai district office to marry.

What corporate documents are needed to open an account or register abroad?

Standard pack: (1) DBD company affidavit ≤30 days, (2) BOJ 5 shareholder list, (3) MOA, (4) meeting minutes authorising the transaction, (5) POA to the overseas signer, (6) directors' passports. All notarized → MFA → destination embassy (or Apostille).

What should an expat in Thailand bring for notarization?

(1) Original passport + current-visa page copy; (2) proof of Thai address (lease or utility bill); (3) original documents to notarize; (4) certified translation first if the document is not in English/Thai; (5) tell us the destination country so we can advise the correct chain (Apostille vs. embassy).

Get started today

Send your document or get a quote — we reply within 1 working hour.

094-895-8999LINE @Thainotary

Key takeaways

  • Only attorneys registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand under the Lawyers Act B.E. 2528 may certify
  • You must sign in front of the attorney and present an original passport or Thai ID card
  • Documents used abroad usually also require MFA Department of Consular Affairs legalization and/or destination-embassy endorsement
  • Procedures and timelines may change; verify with the responsible authority before filing

Process at a glance

StepPerformed byDocuments neededApproximate time
1. Review the file and confirm the certification formatNotarial Services AttorneyDraft document + receiving authority's requirementsapprox. 1–3 hours
2. Sign in the attorney's presenceSignatory with the Notarial Services AttorneyOriginal passport or Thai ID cardapprox. 15–30 minutes
3. Issue the certificate and record it in the registerNotarial Services Attorney (Lawyers Council of Thailand rules)Signed documentapprox. 1 working day
4. Onward steps for overseas useDepartment of Consular Affairs, MFA and/or destination embassyCertified document + translation where requiredapprox. 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.

Additional frequently asked questions

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.
Does Thailand have a Notary Public in the common-law sense?
Thailand has no common-law notary. The equivalent is a Notarial Services Attorney registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand under Royal Patronage. Foreign authorities, embassies and universities generally accept this attestation where a notarised document is required. Scope and requirements are confirmed case by case by phone, LINE or email.
Do I have to sign in person before the attorney?
For signature attestation, yes — the signer must appear with an original passport or Thai ID card and sign in the attorney's presence. Certified true copies and certain fact attestations can be handled from originals without a fresh signature, depending on what the receiving authority requires.
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.

How this connects to the next step

A notarised document rarely travels alone: most receiving authorities also require consular legalization at the Department of Consular Affairs (MFA), and for non-Hague destinations one further step of attestation by the destination country's embassy in Bangkok. The order of these steps cannot be swapped.

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

  • Using signature-witnessing wording when the destination asked for a certified true copy; the two forms are not interchangeable.
  • Name spellings that differ from the passport, even by a diacritic or the ordering of a middle name, are enough to justify refusal.

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.

Key facts at a glance — Notary Public certification

Quotation
Quote on request by phone, LINE or e-mail — confirmed before work starts
Turnaround
Typically 1–2 business days (same-day rush available)
What you receive
Signed and sealed by a Thai Lawyers Council–registered Notarial Services Attorney
Service coverage
Nationwide Thailand — courier and fully online intake, no in-person visit required.

Our staff checks page count, language pair and receiving authority before issuing a quotation.

Ask us or request a quote right away

094-895-8999LINE @ThainotaryNotary@ilc.ltd

Documents you need to prepare — Notary Public certification

  1. 1Valid original passport or Thai ID card of the person signing
  2. 2The original document to be notarised — do not sign in advance; signing must occur before the attorney
  3. 3Details of the receiving authority — university, embassy, or overseas counterparty
  4. 4Company affidavit and power of attorney if signing for a legal entity

Before you start

  • • For corporate documents, prepare a company affidavit issued within the last six months.
  • • Multi-page documents should be bound and cross-sealed at the joints before certification.

Practitioner guidance — Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney

Competent authority: Lawyers Council of Thailand

Practitioner guidance

  • Thailand has no standalone Notary Public office; certification is performed by a Notarial Services Attorney registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand.
  • The signatory must sign in front of the attorney and present an original passport or Thai ID card.
  • Bring the complete original document, including blank and stamped pages.
  • Tell the attorney the destination country and authority in advance, since the certification wording differs by use.
  • If the document is for overseas use, plan the next steps (MFA legalisation, Apostille or embassy) from the start.

Pitfalls — why documents get rejected

  • Signing in advance — the attorney cannot certify a signature made out of their presence.
  • Presenting a passport copy instead of the original on the day.
  • Documents containing alterations or strike-throughs without initials.
  • Assuming attorney certification alone is accepted everywhere, when many countries require consular or embassy steps.
  • A company affidavit older than the destination accepts.

Official sources: www.lawyerscouncil.or.th · consular.mfa.go.th/th/publicservice/legalization

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.

094-895-8999LINENotary@ilc.ltd

Related searches for this service — Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney

Process

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  • notarial services attorney Bangkok translate first or certify first

Contact / booking

  • notary public Thailand talk to a specialist
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Can't find your exact case? Ask our staff directly — enquiries are free.

094-895-8999LINENotary@ilc.ltd

In-depth questions and answers — Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney

Answers follow the competent authority's published requirements, not marketing copy.

How can a Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney document set be kept internally consistent?

For companies, bring a recent company affidavit and evidence of directors' signing authority. The competent authority is Lawyers Council of Thailand. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.

In what order should Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney steps be sequenced to avoid rework?

Review how the foreign form expects the certifier to complete it before the appointment. The competent authority is Lawyers Council of Thailand. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.

Why are Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney documents rejected?

Observed cause: Signing in advance — the attorney cannot certify a signature made out of their presence. If you are unsure whether your case is affected, confirm with Lawyers Council of Thailand, or ask our staff by phone, LINE or email before filing. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.

Which mistake in Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney forces the process to restart?

Observed cause: Presenting a passport copy instead of the original on the day. If you are unsure whether your case is affected, confirm with Lawyers Council of Thailand, or ask our staff by phone, LINE or email before filing. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.

What is a common misunderstanding about Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney?

Observed cause: Documents containing alterations or strike-throughs without initials. If you are unsure whether your case is affected, confirm with Lawyers Council of Thailand, or ask our staff by phone, LINE or email before filing. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.

Which situation in Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney wastes the most time unnecessarily?

Observed cause: Assuming attorney certification alone is accepted everywhere, when many countries require consular or embassy steps. If you are unsure whether your case is affected, confirm with Lawyers Council of Thailand, or ask our staff by phone, LINE or email before filing. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.

What deserves extra care when Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney is filed with an overseas authority?

Observed cause: A company affidavit older than the destination accepts. If you are unsure whether your case is affected, confirm with Lawyers Council of Thailand, or ask our staff by phone, LINE or email before filing. This is general guidance; requirements and processing times change — verify with the competent authority before filing.

Which Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney error is hardest to correct afterwards?

Observed cause: Foreign-language forms with no translation for the signatory to understand. If you are unsure whether your case is affected, confirm with Lawyers Council of Thailand, or ask our staff by phone, LINE or email before filing. 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.

094-895-8999LINE @ThainotaryNotary@ilc.ltd

Official sources: www.lawyerscouncil.or.th · consular.mfa.go.th

Continue with related services

The paths most clients take next — ask us by phone, LINE or email at any step.

Verified professional credentials

  • • Member, Lawyers Council of Thailand (สภาทนายความ) — verify
  • • Registered certified translator, Ministry of Justice (Thailand) — verify
  • • Recognized agent for MFA Legalization Division, Thailand — verify

Consumer protection

  • • Transparent fees quoted in writing before any work begins — no hidden surcharges.
  • • Confidentiality: documents handled under a written non-disclosure undertaking.
  • • Direct human contact for questions and quotations by phone, LINE or email.

Composite cases similar to this page — Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney

Composite cases assembled from commonly seen matters — not individual clients, no personal data.

financial status letter from Pathum Thani for a court or regulator filing

a Thai national residing in Thailand from Pathum Thani — 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 · prepared the translation and reconciled every name spelling against the passport · delivered a scanned set plus the originals with lodgement instructions

What clients usually ask in matters like this: who must certify the translation for it to be accepted at destination?

Indicative timeline: roughly 3–7 working days end to end

director signature verification from the United States for an estate matter

an authorised representative of a Thai-registered company from the United States — the spelling on older documents did not match the current passport

What we handled: 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 · delivered a scanned set plus the originals with lodgement instructions

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

parental travel consent from Nakhon Si Thammarat for an overseas company incorporation

a foreign national living in Thailand from Nakhon Si Thammarat — 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 · prepared the translation and reconciled every name spelling against the passport · tracked progress between steps and reported status along the way · delivered a scanned set plus the originals with lodgement instructions

What clients usually ask in matters like this: who must certify the translation for it to be accepted at destination?

Indicative timeline: roughly 3–7 working days end to end

Browse every case for this service — Certification by a Notarial Services Attorney

Primary sources from official authorities

The guidance on this page follows the rules published by the authorities below. Always confirm the current version on the official site before filing.