Corporate and commercial documents

The most frequently used corporate document is the company affidavit issued by the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, together with the shareholder list (Bor Or Jor 5) and memorandum of association. These are public documents signed by a registrar, so they can be legalised once an accurate English translation is prepared.

Financial statements and accounting records are private documents. They must first be signed and certified by a Notarial Services Attorney or a certified public accountant before entering the legalisation chain. The same applies to directors' certificates, board resolutions and corporate powers of attorney.

Non-Apostille destinations such as China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Taiwan often add their own steps — chamber of commerce endorsement before the embassy stage, or prescribed wording in a power of attorney. Request the current checklist from your counterparty or the destination embassy before drafting.

For cross-border transactions with a closing date, plan backwards from that date. The chain involves several authorities, each with its own working days and queue. Preparing a spare set in advance reduces risk if one step needs correcting.

Thailand still operates the traditional legalisation chain. The 1961 Hague Apostille Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 30 June 2026 (source: HCCH). Until that date, documents must still pass through the Department of Consular Affairs and the destination embassy.