MFA legalisation — documents and sequence
Thai public documents intended for a foreign authority must pass the Legalisation Division of the Department of Consular Affairs first, whether the chain later ends with an Apostille or with the destination embassy.
Documents to prepare
- Original or newly issued certified copy from the district office or issuing body
- A translation prepared under the system the destination accepts
- Thai ID card or passport of the applicant
- Power of attorney with the principal's ID copy if filed by a representative
- Completed legalisation request form
- Destination country and receiving authority details
Step-by-step procedure
1. Obtain a fresh certified copy
Request the latest certified issue from the authority that produced the record.
2. Prepare the translation
Translate under the accepted system and verify spellings against the passport.
3. File at the Department of Consular Affairs
Submit the legalisation request covering the signature of the signing officer and the translation.
4. Collect and verify
Check seals, dates and binding before moving to the next step.
5. Final step
Confirm with the Department whether this document type falls within Apostille scope or still needs destination embassy legalisation.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Plain photocopies are usually refused at intake.
- Translations made outside the accepted system will not clear this stage.
- Legalising the original does not automatically legalise the translation.
- Queues lengthen before academic intake and peak visa seasons — allow extra time.
Advisory tips
- Bundle the whole set into one filing to save trips.
- Photograph every page before submission for reference while waiting.
- State the receiving authority precisely so the right certification format is chosen.
Let us handle it end to end
Prefer not to handle the queues yourself, or worried about a rejection? Send us photos of your documents for a free pre-check. We handle the full chain — obtaining certified copies, translation, certification and submission — and keep you updated at each step. Reach us on LINE, phone or email during business hours.
Let us handle it end to end