Notary Public Near Me

Notary Public in Thailand

If you need to notarize a document for a visa application or any other purpose, you generally need to consult a notary public, but in Thailand, things are different. There is no official notary public in Thailand due to it not being a member of the Hague Convention on Legalization of Foreign Public Documents. However, it is still possible to get a document notarized here through Thai Notarial Service Attorneys (NSAs), who are certified to perform official notarial services in Thailand.

Because their services are nearly identical, you will see both NSA and notary public used interchangeably in Thailand.

This page will provide all the information you need to know about the notarization process, how to find a notary public near you, and how to request a document to be certified by a professional NSA.

When is Notarization Necessary?

If you are applying for certain visa applications, registering your marriage, or undertaking important business dealings, you may be required to get your required documents notarized before submitting them to government agencies or private organizations like banks.

Some international institutions may also request for a notary signature and stamp to be shown on all the documents you submit to them. In Thailand, this usually applies to the following institutions:

• Embassies
• Private Organizations
• Educational Institutions
• Banks
• Government Offices

This rule is in place to confirm that a document and signature are legally binding, genuine, and signed by the right person.

What Documents Need to be Notarized?

Whether or not a document needs to be notarized depends on the organization or institution requesting it. In general, these are the kinds of documents that usually need to be notarized in Thailand before being used for official purposes:

• Identification Documents: Passports, ID cards, proof of address, educational certificates, criminal record certificates, birth and marriage certificates. 
• Legal Documentation: Power of attorney, affidavits.
• Property Documents: Title deeds, items needed to sell or transfer property, and property documents for international use.
• Business-related Documents: Business contracts, company resolutions, minutes from business meetings, annual reports, articles of association.
• Financial Documents: Bank statements, letters from financial institutions, documents needed to open a bank account.
• Documents for Foreign Visa Applications: Translated documents and forms.

Where to Find a Notary Public in Thailand

If you’re asking yourself: “Where can I find a notary public near me?” the good news is you are likely close to one already. Siam Legal provides notary services at each of our conveniently located offices in the major cities of Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. It is not important which of your locations you go to for notarization, so you can go to whichever of our notary public offices is nearest to you.

Our locations:

Siam Legal International
18th Floor, Unit 1806, Two Pacific Place,
142 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei,
Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Phone: 02-254-8900

 

Siam Legal Chiang Mai
Curve Mall 2nd/F Room C219-C220
215/2 Chang Klan Road
Mueang, Chiang Mai 50100
Phone: 090-891-8447

 

Siam Legal Phuket
123 / 27-28 Moo 5, Bangtao Place
Cherngtalay, Thalang,
Phuket Thailand 83110
Phone: 076-326-322

Notarization vs. Legalization

It is important to note that notarization and legalization are completely different processes. While notarization refers to the services carried out by NSAs that we just talked about, legalization is the process by which a document is authenticated for international use. Legalization is usually done at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Importantly, Thailand is not a party to the Apostille Convention either, so if you need to authenticate a document that originated outside of Thailand or a document from Thailand that will be used in another country, you may also need to have it legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Alternatively, you may need certification from an embassy instead or a combination of the two. Again, it is vital that you check with the requesting authority what their exact requirements are for the relevant document before proceeding with an appointment or paying any fees.

If you require assistance with the translation and legalization of documents for international use, contact Siam Legal, and we can provide guidance on this topic as well.

What Can Siam Legal’s Thai Notarial Service Attorney Do?

In Thailand, NSAs can carry out two main types of notarization. The first is notarizing a person’s signature on certain classes of documents, and the other is certifying true copies of original documents.

Siam Legal’s notary public can verify signatures on certain types of documents such as statutory declarations, loan agreements, affidavits, and letters. To evaluate the authenticity of your signature and to make sure there is no fraud involved, our NSA will request you to attend an in-person appointment and sign the documents in their presence.

Note that this will not certify the authenticity of the document or its content. This process will only authenticate your signature and prove that you were the person who signed the document.

Our NSAs can also notarize original copies of certain documentation such as passports and ID cards. For this, you will need to send us the original documents, which we will photocopy and notarize after confirming their authenticity. For most types of documents, Thai Notarial Services Attorneys can only certify a true copy if the document was derived from a local institution. If it's from a foreign institution, you may need to consult a lawyer from the issuing country or their embassy for legalization.

Siam Legal’s NSAs are recognized by most domestic organizations and embassies in Thailand. However, as some international agencies may not accept a document certified by an NSA, it is essential to check with them before consulting one.

How to Get a Document Notarized in Thailand

To get a document notarized by a Notarial Services Attorney (NSA), here are the specific steps you need to go through:

1. Consult the relevant authority to make sure your documents need to be notarized and if they will accept notarization from a Thai NSA. This is necessary as notarizing any item involves a fee.
2. Get in contact with Siam legal, and send us an electronic scan of all the documents that need to be notarized. Our attorney will review the documents to ensure they can be notarized so you don’t accidentally waste your time.
3. Once we have reviewed the document and you have confirmed that notarization by an NSA will be accepted by the requesting authority, make an appointment at our Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket Office, whichever is most convenient for you.
4. Attend the appointment in person with your original valid passport and original documents for notarization. Usually, our notary services can be completed in just an hour or so.
5. Once the required documents have been notarized, you can collect them and submit them to the appropriate authorities. Keep in mind that in some cases, your notarized documents need to also be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Why You Should Contact Siam Legal for Notary Services in Thailand

If you are in need of a notary service in Thailand, then reach out to Siam Legal. As a full-service law firm operating for over 20 years in the country, our NSAs have the experience and expertise to provide professional notary services swiftly and accurately.

We will guide you smoothly through the notarization process, ensuring that copies of your original documents, official documentation, and your signatures are certified correctly. You can rest easy knowing that professionals are handling your documents and that whichever process you need them for won’t be delayed because of a notary error.

Our notarial services consist of:

• Verifying the legitimacy of any signatures present on the relevant documents.
• Certifying important business and property documents, such as title deeds, contacts, and business acquisition agreements.
• Authenticating personal identification documents ranging from passports to birth certificates among other examples.
• Confirming your identity and signature during the notarization process by having an experienced notarial attorney witness you sign the documents in person.
• Ensuring that the notarization of any necessary documentation strictly follows domestic and international legal standards very closely.

Contact Siam Legal today to simplify the process of verifying your legal and immigration documents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Much Do Notary Services Cost in Thailand?

The notary fees are determined by the organization, the type of document, and the volume of paperwork that needs to be notarized. If you are using Siam Legal as your primary notary service, we charge a 3,000 baht fee (plus 7% VAT) per item or signature.

How Does Notarization in Thailand Differ from Legalization?

It is important to note that notarizing a document is very different from legalizing it. When a document or signature is notarized, it is to determine its authenticity or if it is a true copy of the original.

Legalization usually happens after notarization and is done at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than by an attorney or notary, where the notary’s signature and the document are verified for international use. Documents often need to undergo legalization if you need to submit them as part of an overseas application or register them with a foreign institution.

Can I Notarize Documents in Thailand for an Overseas Application?

Yes, however, in some cases, you will also need to get these documents legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand before submitting them. This is because Thailand is not a member of the Hague Convention on Legalization of Foreign Public Documents, so prior authentication is usually required beforehand for most overseas applications.

The same process applies in reverse. If you are bringing in a document from abroad, you have to get it legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you can use it for an application in Thailand.

How Long Does it Take to Notarize a Document in Thailand?

The timeline varies depending on the person or company responsible for notarizing your documents. If you decide to get your forms and other documents notarized by Siam Legal’s attorneys, the process can be done within an hour so you can easily collect your documents after a single appointment. The procedure may take longer if you have a large volume of documents that need to be notarized.

How can I get to a notary public near me in Thailand?

You can reach Siam Legal’s Bangkok office by traveling to Nana station on the BTS and taking exit 2. To get to our Chiang Mai location, go to the second floor of Curve Mall just off Chang Klan Road. If you’re in the Phuket area, you can find notarial services near The Residence Village off Srisoonthorn Rd. at our Phuket office.

From Nana Station to Siam Legal Bangkok