Translating a Thai Birth Certificate for Foreign Embassies
A Thai birth certificate (Sor Chor 19) needs three things before a foreign embassy will accept it: a sworn translation, MFA legalization or Apostille, and (for non-Hague countries) embassy stamp.
Published 2026-01-18 Updated 2026-05-08 5 min readBy NYC Translation Team
Certified translator's desk with bilingual Thai–English documents, dictionary and laptop used for NAATI and legal translation work
TL;DR
Get a fresh certified copy from the district office (don't use 10-year-old originals)
Use a sworn translator — embassies reject Google Translate
MFA Apostille for Hague countries; full legalization for non-Hague
Total cost: ฿1,200–2,500 / Turnaround: 3–7 business days
Step 1: Fresh certified copy
Visit your registered amphur (district office) and request a certified copy (สูติบัตรฉบับคัดสำเนา). Cost: ฿20. Most embassies want a copy issued within the last 6 months even though the document itself never expires.
Step 2: Sworn translation
Embassies require the translator to certify the translation with name, license number, and contact details. NYC's translators are MOJ-recognised and our translations are accepted by all major embassies in Bangkok and overseas. Cost: ฿1,300–2,500 per page, turnaround 1–2 business days.
Step 3: MFA Apostille or legalization
Send the translated set to MFA Chaeng Wattana. For Hague countries (US, UK, Germany, France, Australia), you get an Apostille (฿200–800). For non-Hague (UAE, China, Vietnam), full dual legalization is required: MFA + destination embassy in Bangkok.
Yes. Email us a clear scan of your Thai birth certificate (สูติบัตร) and we handle the full chain: sworn Thai-to-English translation, notarisation by a licensed Thai notarial attorney, MFA Apostille or embassy legalisation, and DHL/FedEx return to any address worldwide. Standard pricing is ฿2,000–3,500 per document all-in, completed in 3–5 business days.
Does my embassy accept NYC translations?
Yes. NYC translations are accepted by the embassies and immigration authorities of the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, all EU member states, and most other jurisdictions worldwide. For Australian Department of Home Affairs and offshore visa lodgement we also produce NAATI-certified translations through our credentialed translator network at no premium versus standard sworn translation.
I lost my Thai birth certificate. What do I do?
Visit the amphur (district office) where your birth was originally registered, bringing either your Thai national ID card, your house registration (tabian baan), or — for minors and overseas Thais — proof of one parent's identity. The amphur issues a duplicate certified copy (สำเนาสูติบัตร) on the spot for a nominal fee, fully valid for legalisation and overseas use.
Our team has over 15 years of experience in translation, certification, and filings with Thai and overseas authorities. We advise on choosing the correct certification route, sequencing your documents, and repairing files that were previously refused.
A case review before work begins, so you only prepare the documents that are genuinely required
The correct order of steps from day one, reducing the risk of a refusal and a restart
A plain explanation of the destination authority's stated requirements as published at the time of advice
If you would rather not handle it yourself, we run the full process end to end and return the finished file
