Notarial Services for Expats and Businesses in Thailand
In Thailand, certain licensed attorneys are authorized by the Lawyers Council of Thailand to act as Notarial Services Attorneys. Although Thailand does not have a formal “Notary Public” system like in some countries, these attorneys are empowered to verify and certify documents for use both domestically and abroad.
Common Notarial Services for Individuals
Foreign nationals living in or doing business in Thailand often require notarial services to meet legal or administrative requirements. Typical services include:
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Power of Attorney (POA): Preparing and certifying a legal document that authorizes another person to act on one’s behalf.
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Document Certification: Verifying true copies of personal documents such as passports, identification cards, marriage certificates, and academic qualifications.
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Affidavits and Statutory Declarations: Drafting and notarizing formal sworn statements for various legal uses.
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Property-Related Documents: Authenticating documents for buying, selling, or leasing real estate.
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Visa and Immigration Forms: Certifying documents submitted to immigration offices or embassies.
Common Notarial Services for Companies
For businesses operating in Thailand or engaging in cross-border transactions, notarial services help ensure legal documents are recognized by relevant authorities. Key services include:
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Corporate Certifications: Certifying copies of company registration documents, shareholder lists, board resolutions, and minutes of meetings.
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Contract and Agreement Authentication: Notarizing commercial contracts and partnership agreements.
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Financial Document Verification: Certifying bank statements, financial reports, and investment records.
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International Use of Documents: Preparing and notarizing documents for use abroad, including foreign trade and investment matters.
Additional Notarial Services
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Witnessing Signatures: Ensuring signatures are given voluntarily and by the appropriate parties.
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Oaths and Affirmations: Administering legal affirmations for affidavits or declarations.
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Certified Translations: Notarizing translated documents to confirm their accuracy.
Legalization for International Use
In some cases, before notarized documents intended for use in other countries can be accepted, additional steps are required. Because Thailand is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, such documents typically need to be authenticated by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some jurisdictions may also require further legalization by the relevant embassy or consulate of the destination country.