In many countries, documents must be notarized to be considered official. This is important for international business and legal proceedings.
Thailand doesn’t have public notaries like some other places, but the Lawyers Council made a rule that allows some lawyers to act as notaries. These legal superheroes can vouch for signatures and documents, verify identities, certify copies and administer oaths.
Legalization of Foreign Public Documents
A notary is a legal professional who has been appointed to verify the legitimacy of signatures and documents, administer oaths, certify copies, and provide translations. Notaries are a vital part of international business transactions because they can make sure that the documents being used abroad will be recognized by authorities in the country where they are intended to be used.
In countries with a common law system, notaries can perform more duties than in civil law nations like Thailand. For instance, a notary in the United States can verify the identity of a person who signed a document and also confirm that the signature is authentic by stamping or signing it. This makes a notary a trusted witness and deters fraud.
However, in Thailand, a notary can only verify the authenticity of documents that have already been issued by the government and the court or other official bodies. Notarized papers will not be recognized in another country until they have undergone a process called “legalization” or “apostille.”
Luckily, there are professionals who can act as notaries in Thailand. This is helpful for people who want to use their Thai documents abroad or even for bank transactions. These notaries have gone through a special certification process by the Lawyers Council of Thailand and can be trusted to authenticate signatures, confirm identities, verify addresses, and translate documents into other languages.
Verification of Signatures and Documents
In most countries, the government officially licenses notaries public to perform functions such as authentication of signatures or documents and witnessing affidavits or statements of persons under oath. In Thailand, legal professionals who have undergone professional training are allowed to step into the role of notaries and are called “Notarial Services Attorneys.” Although Thailand isn’t part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the stamp of a Notarial Service Attorney still has universal credibility and authenticity.
Documents verified by a Notarial Services Attorney can be used in many different situations and are especially useful in the real estate industry. A notary can verify the identity of property owners and confirm that they are the actual legal owners of the land and house. This is particularly important in a country like Thailand where there are more than a few fraudulent individuals who may try to take advantage of people.
Additionally, many expatriates who live in Thailand require notarized documents for visa and immigration processes and other official transactions. Having the documents verified by a Notarial Services Attorney provides a guarantee of their legitimacy and can help prevent fraud. Similarly, many companies require notarized documents to verify the identities of their staff members before they can sign contracts or other important documents. For all these reasons, it’s a good idea to find a Notary Service Attorney who can meet your needs in Bangkok.
Confirmation of Identity of Signatories
Notarization is a process that identifies and confirms the identity of the signatories on important documents. It also ensures that the document is authentic and was signed voluntarily. This is important in many instances, such as obtaining a passport or submitting it to an embassy. This is done by an authorized legal professional, usually a Notarial Services Attorney, who has been given the green light by the Lawyers Council to perform official notary services.
Notaries can also help in real estate transactions and confirming the authenticity of deeds. In addition, they can help with immigration and visa processes by verifying the legitimacy of documents and signatures. They can also authenticate affidavits and statements of persons under oath, which are essential for foreigners living in Thailand.
As Thailand is not a member of the Hague Convention on Legalization, you may still need to have your documents authenticated or legalized by an embassy or ministry in your country of origin or destination. It is best to contact the embassy or organization for details before going through this process. In most cases, however, a notarized document will be accepted by most authorities around the world. This is because the seal and signature of a Notary Public Thailand has universal credibility and authority. Therefore, if you have a document that needs to be notarized for use overseas, make sure you find a Notarial Services Attorney certified by the Lawyers Council of Thailand.
Legalization of Affidavits and Declarations
Since Thailand is not a signatory to the Hague Convention on Legalization of Foreign Public Documents you might need additional verification or even certification by an Embassy depending on the case. In those cases, a Notary Services Attorney can help you. These special lawyers, designated by the Lawyers Council under The Notary Services Act, are licensed to authenticate signatures and documents as well as affidavits or statements of individuals under oath.
The most common use of notary service in Thailand is for international businesses and transactions that require a signed or certified document. The notary verifies the authenticity of the document and the identity of the signatories to make sure it is a valid and official document that can be accepted abroad.
GAM Legal Alliance can help you find a notary service in Thailand that meets your needs. Talk to us today.
Many countries require papers to be notarized before they can be used internationally. This is to ensure that the document is authentic and that it was signed by the person named in the document. Having a notarized document can be especially helpful when you are shipping goods or documents overseas, changing your name, opening a bank account abroad, or getting married. Many countries also accept a document with an Apostille stamp, which is similar to the notary service in Thailand, but is more of a universal stamp that certifies the authenticity of a document and contains important information such as where it was issued, who by, and the date.
