Translation and Legalization in Thailand. In both civil and administrative proceedings in Thailand, the translation and legalization of documents are crucial procedural steps, particularly where foreign-issued documents are intended for use in Thai legal, immigration, or commercial processes. Whether for registering a foreign marriage, establishing a company, applying for a visa, or pursuing litigation, foreign-language documents must often be translated into Thai and legalized through official channels to be accepted by Thai courts or government agencies.
Conversely, Thai-issued documents that are to be used abroad must undergo legalization or apostille (where applicable), and translation into the destination country’s official language. This article outlines the translation and legalization process in Thailand with increased depth, providing an operational understanding for professionals and foreign nationals dealing with cross-border documentation.
1. Legal Framework
There is no single “Translation and Legalization Act” in Thailand. Instead, the process is governed by a combination of:
- The Civil Procedure Code (on admissibility of foreign-language evidence)
- Ministerial Regulations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) regarding consular authentication
- The Notarial Services Act B.E. 2536 (1993) (especially for legal professionals providing certified true copies and sworn translations)
- Regulations of the Thai Courts, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Interior, and Immigration Bureau for the use of foreign documents in administrative settings
In all official proceedings, documents submitted in a foreign language must be translated into Thai and certified to be admissible or valid.
2. Translation Requirements in Thailand
2.1 Certified Translations
For most official purposes, translations must be:
- Accurate, complete, and faithful to the original
- Certified by the translator or a qualified agency
- Stamped and signed, often with an attached declaration that the translation is true and complete
For legal and governmental procedures, translations may require notarization or certification by a licensed Thai lawyer or notarial services attorney.
Common documents requiring certified translation include:
- Birth, marriage, or death certificates
- Passports, national ID cards
- Court judgments
- Company documents (e.g., Articles of Incorporation)
- Contracts, powers of attorney
- Bank and financial documents
2.2 Who Can Translate?
While there is no official register of translators in Thailand, agencies and individuals that provide certified translations for government use typically:
- Are registered translation companies with the Ministry of Commerce
- Employ Thai nationals fluent in the source language
- For notarized translations, use attorneys licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand with notarial services certification
3. Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
The Department of Consular Affairs, under MOFA, is responsible for authenticating the signatures and seals on public documents to verify their origin before they can be used domestically or internationally.
There are two types of legalization:
3.1 Legalization of Foreign Documents for Use in Thailand
This process is required when documents from other countries (e.g., marriage certificates, criminal background checks, educational records) are to be used in Thailand.
Steps:
- The document must first be notarized or legalized by the foreign country’s competent authority (e.g., Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or embassy).
- The document must then be translated into Thai, and the translation must be certified.
- Both the original and translation must be submitted to MOFA’s Legalization Division for authentication.
Once legalized by MOFA, the document is deemed valid for use by Thai government agencies (e.g., Immigration Bureau, Department of Business Development, or Thai courts).
3.2 Legalization of Thai Documents for Use Abroad
When Thai-issued documents are to be submitted abroad (e.g., for immigration, business registration, marriage abroad), they must be authenticated by MOFA.
Steps:
- Original Thai document (e.g., birth certificate, diploma, company registration) is submitted to MOFA for authentication.
- The Thai document is then translated into the language of the destination country.
- In many jurisdictions, the destination country’s embassy or consulate in Thailand must then authenticate the translation and attach its seal.
For countries that are signatories to the Apostille Convention, an apostille issued by MOFA would suffice. Thailand, however, is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so full legalization is required unless the other state waives it under bilateral arrangements.
4. Notarial Services in Thailand
Thailand does not have a traditional notary public system like many common law jurisdictions. Instead, only licensed Thai attorneys who have passed the Lawyers Council of Thailand’s Notarial Services Certification are authorized to act in a notarial capacity.
Functions include:
- Certifying copies of documents
- Witnessing and attesting signatures
- Administering oaths and affirmations
- Certifying translations
- Preparing affidavits and statutory declarations
These services are often required as a preliminary step before legalization by MOFA.
5. Use of Translated and Legalized Documents in Thai Courts
The Civil Procedure Code (Section 93) requires that any foreign-language documents submitted as evidence be accompanied by a complete and accurate Thai translation, certified by the party or their counsel.
The court may:
- Appoint a court-approved interpreter to review the translation
- Reject improperly translated or unauthenticated documents
- Require additional translation or certification at the party’s expense
Thai courts do not automatically recognize foreign judgments or contracts unless the procedural authenticity of the document is proven, which includes legalization and translation.
6. Common Pitfalls and Practical Issues
6.1 Improper Translations
Poor or literal translations can lead to:
- Administrative rejection by immigration or civil registrars
- Misinterpretation in court proceedings
- Delays in corporate registration or visa approval
Legal and technical documents should be translated by professionals with subject matter knowledge, not generalists.
6.2 Embassy Requirements Vary
Embassies in Thailand may have specific requirements for document legalization, including:
- Accepting only certain translators or notaries
- Insisting on embassy legalization after MOFA
- Refusing to accept documents more than a few months old
Applicants must consult the destination embassy prior to submission to avoid multiple legalization rounds.
6.3 No Apostille System
Because Thailand has not joined the Hague Apostille Convention, all official documents destined for Thailand or issued in Thailand for use abroad must be manually legalized — a longer, more bureaucratic process compared to countries where apostille certificates suffice.
7. Timeframes and Fees
MOFA Legalization:
- Processing time: 2–5 business days (normal service), or same-day (express service with additional fee)
- Fee: ~THB 200–400 per document (standard), higher for urgent service
Translation:
- Varies by language and document type
- Certified legal translations from Thai to English: ~THB 500–1,500 per page
- From non-English languages (e.g., Russian, Japanese): higher due to fewer qualified professionals
Conclusion
The translation and legalization process in Thailand is a critical administrative pathway for recognizing and using foreign documents domestically—and Thai documents abroad. Whether for immigration, litigation, commerce, or personal affairs, improper handling of translations or failure to authenticate documents can result in delays, rejections, or even legal invalidity.
Parties should work with experienced translators, certified notarial service providers, and understand MOFA procedures to ensure proper documentation flow. Moreover, understanding the legal consequences of poorly translated or unauthenticated documents is essential in judicial and administrative contexts.
