How do I legalise a Thai birth certificate for use in Japan?
Prepare the following for civil-registry documents: (a) originals or government-issued certified copies, (b) a copy of the holder's ID or passport, (c) a power of attorney (we draft it), (d) the destination country and p
The approach receiving authorities accept is this: Prepare the following for civil-registry documents: (a) originals or government-issued certified copies, (b) a copy of the holder's ID or passport, (c) a power of attorney (we draft it), (d) the destination country and purpose as required by the receiving authority, so the translation format matches its rules. Bundle with NAATI certified translation, Notary Public certification and Police Clearance in a single file to save weeks.
Quick facts
- Current status: Thailand still uses consular legalisation today; the Hague Apostille Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027.
- Turnaround: Standard legalisation 3–5 business days · Express 1–2 business days · Full chain (translation + MFA + destination embassy) 5–7 business days
- Office: Legalisation Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Chaeng Watthana Road, Bangkok · Mon–Fri 08:30–15:30 · nationwide document pickup by post or messenger
Related questions
- → What is an Apostille and how does it differ from consular legalisation?
- → Can Thailand issue an Apostille yet?
- → When does the Apostille Convention enter into force for Thailand?
- → How are Thai documents legalised before the Apostille route starts?
- → Does an Apostille certify the contents of a document?