What is MFA Legalisation and how is it different from Apostille?

Apostille is a one-step certification used between countries party to the Hague Convention. For non-party destinations (China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Taiwan) Thai-issued documents need a two-step chain: Thai MFA + the destination country's embassy in Bangkok.

How long does the chain take?

5 days for Laos/Cambodia, up to 14 days for Saudi Arabia/Iran/Egypt — depending on embassy queue and translation language. NYC reports milestones at every step.

What are the total fees?

MFA THB 200/doc + embassy THB 800–3,200/doc depending on destination + sworn translation from THB 800/page. NYC offers an all-in package from THB 3,000 per document including pickup/return courier.

What translation languages are required?

English is accepted for most destinations. Arabic is mandatory for Saudi/Kuwait/Egypt; Persian for Iran; Traditional Chinese for Taiwan; Simplified Chinese for China. NYC employs embassy-registered translators for every language.

What is MFA Legalisation in Thailand?

MFA Legalisation is certification by the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Chaeng Wattana, Bangkok), confirming that a document and its translation were issued by Thai authorities and a registered translator. It is mandatory before embassy filing or before requesting an Apostille.

What is the fee and timeline?

Government fee THB 200/document (standard, 2–3 days) or THB 400/document (express, 1 day). Our turnkey service THB 800–1,500/document includes courier pickup in Bangkok and EMS return upcountry. Applies to every Thai public document type.

Do documents need translation before MFA?

Thai-language public documents must first be translated into English (or the destination language) by a registered translator. The translation and original are bound together and submitted to MFA jointly. Documents already in English (e.g. embassy affirmations) are submitted directly.

Non-Apostille · MFA + Embassy

Thai MFA + Embassy Legalisation — 16+ Non-Apostille Destinations

For destinations that are not party to the Hague Apostille — China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Vietnam, Taiwan, Iran, Egypt and more. NYC delivers the full chain: sworn translation + notary + MFA Chaeng Wattana + embassy consular stamp in 5–14 working days.

AI Quick Answer

How do I legalise a Thai document for a non-Apostille country?

Four steps: (1) sworn translation by a registered translator (2) Notary Public (3) Thai MFA Department of Consular Affairs (Chaeng Wattana) (4) consular legalisation by the destination country's embassy in Bangkok. NYC bundles every step from THB 3,000 per document, end-to-end in 5–14 days.

Call +66 92 242 9293 LINE @nyc-notary Apostille countries (122) 6 document families

Choose your destination

Grouped by region — click for the per-country chain, fees, languages and timeline.

East Asia

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China

7 days · THB 1,100 embassy fee

สมรส (Kor Ror 2/3) · สูติบัตร · หย่า

Comparison criteria	NYC Legal	Typical office	Freelancer
DBD + Lawyers Council registration
6 in-house Notarial Services Attorneys
50+ languages supported
End-to-end MFA / embassy legalisation
NAATI Certified (Australia)
Free assessment, reply in 15 minutes
Door-to-door document pickup
100% accuracy guarantee
Receipt + VAT invoice
24-hour rush service

Thai MFA + Embassy Legalisation — 16+ Non-Apostille Destinations

How do I legalise a Thai document for a non-Apostille country?

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East Asia

Middle East

Southeast Asia

South Asia

Africa

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