Notary Public in Thailand. A notary public authenticates documents, confirms the authenticity of signatures, witnesses oaths and administers oaths. They are also a valuable source of information on the validity of documents and can help deter fraud.
Currently, Thailand does not have an official Notary Public. However, certain lawyers have been registered as Notarial Services Attorneys under a regulation of the Lawyer’s Council.
Legalization of Documents
As Thailand is a major business hub and home to people from all over the world, individuals often require legalization of their documents in order to use them abroad. Documents that require legalization include certificates of authenticity, sponsorship declarations, power of attorneys and more.
While in most countries there is a Notary Public to provide authentication of signatures, affidavits or statements of individuals under oath, in Thailand these roles are performed by attorneys who are specialized in this function called “Notarial Services Attorney”. They are licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand and operate under The Lawyers Act B.E. 2528.
The stamp provided by the Notarial Services Attorney is recognized internationally and is used for a variety of reasons, including to demonstrate that a document has been authenticated. H&P lawyers and Notaries in Thailand have extensive experience in legalizing documents for foreign use and working with embassies. Contact us today if you need your documents notarized.
Authentication of Documents
Many countries have a system of notaries public who are licensed to authenticate signatures or documents and witness affidavits or statements made under oath. Thailand does not have a system of notaries public but it does have lawyers who are licensed to perform authentication services under a regulation from the Lawyers Council of Thailand. Those lawyers are called “notarial services attorneys” and they can verify the identities of individuals signing a document, certify that the signature is authentic, witness affidavits, or statement under oath and act as a witness to a document.
These services can be a necessity for businesses, individuals, or even for foreign embassies. A notary may be required to authenticate documents that are to be used abroad such as university degrees, non-criminal background checks and other personal documents. Often these documents must be legalized further with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or with the Embassy of the country where they are to be used.
Witnessing Signatures
Witnessing signatures is a critical function of notaries public in Thailand, especially for international transactions and legal documentation. This ensures that the signature is authentic and complies with relevant legal requirements. It also helps verify and record statements made under oath for legal processes or document validations.
For a notary to be able to witness signatures, it is important for them to be knowledgeable about the documents they are certifying and have the ability to identify the signatory in real time. They must also follow any witnessing requirements, such as having known the signatory for a year or checking their identity against government records.
Having a notary is essential for many businesses, individuals, and families in Thailand. If you need a document notarized or translated in one convenient location, contact us for more information on how we can help. We are located on Wireless Road, near most embassies in Bangkok. Our licensed notary and reliable translator services are affordable and fast.
Record Keeping
A notary is a legal professional that authenticates and certifies documents, witnesses signatures, and administers oaths. They are also able to record statements made under oath for use in court proceedings and documentation. Many countries require that documents they receive be notarized to ensure their authenticity. Thailand does not have a system of public notaries, but the Thai Lawyer’s Council has issued a regulation that allows certain lawyers to act as notaries.
A document notarized by a Notarial Services Attorney in Thailand will still need to be further legalized or authenticated by your own embassy before it can be used in another country. This process usually involves bringing the document to your embassy, or to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand. In most cases, the embassy or the ministry will not accept a document that has been notarized in Thailand as having been properly authenticated. This is because the statutory role of the notary public in Thailand remains pending and in legislative limbo.
