Notary Public in Thailand. As a hub for international business and home to people from all over the world, Thailand often requires the services of a notary public. Many institutions, including banks, embassies, and government offices will require certain documents to be notarized.
While a notary public does exist in most countries, in Thailand only particular attorneys designated with the role of Notarial Services Attorney by the Lawyers Council can perform authentication services regulated by the law.
What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public in Thailand is an official that is fully licensed to authenticate documents, signatures and witness oaths and testimonies. A document notarized is a guarantee that the document is authentic. Notarization is often required by government agencies or organizations when dealing with foreign affairs, such as obtaining a passport or visa.
A notary verifies the identity of a person signing a document and can stamp or seal that the document is genuine. A notary may also certify a translation of a document or administer an oath.
In Thailand, a notary is not as common as in other countries. The Thai Lawyers Council only allows specific attorneys to act as notaries and they have to complete a professional course and training to be able to provide this service. Documents that were notarized in Thailand will have to be further legalized/authenticated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Legalization Division if they are used abroad. These documents can be personal or business related, but most are for passport applications and for a foreigner moving to Thailand.
What are the Requirements to Be a Notary Public?
Many documents must be certified by a notary public to ensure their authenticity. These include copies of passports, signed documents and affidavits.
In most countries, notaries are commissioned by the state to authenticate signatures and documents. They are also able to administer oaths and collect sworn statements and testimonies.
While Thailand does not have a formal notary public system, the Lawyers Council has a regulation in place that allows lawyers to be registered as Notarial Services Attorneys. This gives them the authority to perform authentication services regulated under the Lawyers Act.
Documents that are drafted or signed abroad need to be notarized in order to have them accepted by the Thai authorities. This is because Thailand is not a member of the Hague Convention on Legalization of Foreign Public Documents. Therefore, these documents will need to be further legalized or authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, or an embassy depending on the situation.
What are the Benefits of Having a Document Notarized?
Any individual or entity who needs to verify the authenticity of a legal document or contract will need to have it notarized. This is because notarization serves as an effective deterrent against fraud by ensuring that the document has been signed and authenticated by a qualified official.
In most countries, notaries are authorized to verify the identity of a signer, witness signatures and documents, and administer oaths. They are also required to keep a journal of all their notarizations, which is an important part of protecting the integrity of the process.
While the consular section at the British Embassy in Bangkok provides notarial services for UK citizens, this service is limited and does not cover all types of documents that may need to be verified or authenticated. In order to avoid confusion, it is recommended that any British citizen looking to have a document notarized should contact a licensed Thai notary public. This is especially important if the document is to be used overseas.
How to Find a Notary Public in Thailand
In Thailand, notary services are commonly required by institutions like banks as well as embassies, schools, government and private companies or even by individuals who need to verify the authenticity of a document presented or submitted to them. The document may be needed for many reasons including applying for a visa, buying a property or conducting business with foreign companies or partners.
In most countries, notary public’s are authorized by the state to witness signatures on documents as well as authenticate and certify them. In Thailand, however, only licensed lawyers registered as a Notary Service Attorney with the Lawyer’s Council of Thailand are allowed to provide notary services.
Siam Legal offers notary services for affidavits, acknowledgements and authentications. Contact us today if you have any questions or concerns regarding notary services in Bangkok and around the country. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always on hand to assist you with any of your needs. We are proud to offer notary services for clients worldwide.