If you are couriering your signed documents to oversea for business or other purposes, you will likely need them certified with a notary public. These legal professionals verify the authenticity of signatures and ensure that documents are compliant with laws across borders.
While Thailand doesn’t have a traditional notary public, licensed Thai lawyers can become Notarial Services Attorneys after undergoing training. These legal superheroes can do awesome stuff like vouch for the authenticity of signatures, witness affidavits and certificates, and administer oaths.
In most countries, a Notary Public is an official who is licensed by the government to authenticate signatures or documents and witness affidavits or statements of people under oath. This is necessary for documents that need to be used abroad because the Notary Public acts as a witness that the document is genuine and that the person signing it is who they say they are.
In Thailand, the same function is carried out by Notarial Services Attorneys, who are lawyers who have been granted the right by the Lawyers Council to perform notary services. They are like legal superheroes who make sure everything is legit, especially when you need to use your documents overseas.
Notarial services are generally geared towards people who are dealing with paperwork that requires an oath or a notarized signature, such as visa applications and employment paperwork. But there are other situations where you may need to have a document notarized, such as proof of address, passports, and medical records.
If you are using a document abroad, it may need to be both notarized and legalized, which is a process where the document needs to be verified by an embassy or by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is because Thailand does not belong to the Hague Convention on Legalization, which makes it more complicated to use documents from Thailand abroad.
In many countries, a Notary Public is the official that authenticates legal documents, signatures, affidavits, or statements of persons under oath. A Notary Public also certifies copies of documents as true and correct, a service that’s vital in the case of passports, academic certificates, or legal agreements. Notarized documents can be used anywhere in the world, and they help to ensure that these transactions are legally binding across borders.
In Thailand, there are no Notaries Public as such, but certain attorneys have been granted the role of Notarial Services Attorney by the Lawyers Council, allowing them to perform authentication services regulated under the Laws of the Land. These lawyers are often required to undergo special training before they can offer notary services in Thailand.
The main reason for needing a Notary in Bangkok or Phuket is for international business transactions. Many foreign companies require that any documents signed in Thailand be notarized, and this helps to ensure that the document is genuine. Notarized documents can also be submitted to embassies as proof of your identity, a requirement that might be necessary for visa applications or other legal processes.
Besides notarization, a notary can also serve as a witness for other types of legal proceedings in Thailand. These may include property transactions, marriage registrations, and other legal disputes. Notary services are especially helpful for expats in Thailand, as they can help them secure the legal documents they need to travel, work, or study abroad.
In most countries, a Notary Public is an official fully licensed by the state to provide authentication of legal documents or signatures and witness affidavits or statements of persons under oath. Lawyers who want to become Notary Public in Thailand must undergo special training and be approved by the Notary Public Office of the Lawyers Council of Thailand to offer notarial services.
Notary service is a crucial part of many legal proceedings and transactions. For example, some visa applications or business deals require that certain documents be notarized for legitimacy purposes. This typically involves providing proof of identity to the notary, as well as the document itself that requires certification. The notary will then sign and seal the document.
The notary will also administer oaths and affirmations for people who need to be sworn in for legal proceedings or other official matters. They can also verify a person’s address if they need to submit documents for embassy forms or other formalities.
Although notary service is available throughout the country, it’s best to check with the requesting institution to ensure that they accept NSA notarization. This is important because some institutions may require that the document be both notarized and legalized, which usually involves additional steps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an embassy. This can add significant time and cost to the process, so it’s best to do your research before you need to use a notary or visit an NSA.
In Thailand, we don’t really have public notaries like in the West. Instead, there are lawyers who can verify documents and signatures. They are called Notarial Services Attorneys and they have to be licensed by the Lawyers Council. They must also go through some training in order to qualify and be able to do stuff like check if signatures on documents are real and administer oaths.
If you need a document authenticated or verified for use abroad, the best option is to visit a Notarial Services Attorney at a law firm like Baan Thai. They can certify legal documents, proof of address and other official documents. They can also help you get your documents legalized with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Documents that need to be certified or notarized often require translations too. So, Baan Thai can save you time by providing both of these services in one location. They are conveniently located on Wireless road and are well known for their reliable service.
Notarization is a requirement in various circumstances including passport application, property sale and visa applications. Other times, it is a requirement for documents that are going to be used at Embassies or government offices abroad. Since Thailand isn’t a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you might need extra steps like having your documents legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before they can be used internationally.