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TLScontact · Sathorn

🇫🇷TLScontact Visa Application Centre — Sathorn

France · Switzerland · Belgium consular & visa services in Bangkok

Contact Information
Address
12F Sathorn Square, North Sathorn Rd, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Hours
Mon–Fri 08:00–14:30
Getting there
🚆 BTS ช่องนนทรี🚇 MRT ลุมพินี
Fees (approx.)
THB 3,200 – 4,800
Processing time
10–15 วันทำการ
Services available
  • Schengen visa submission for France, Switzerland, Belgium

Insider tips

  • 1.Use France-Visas + TLScontact two-step booking
  • 2.Biometrics required every 59 months
Service Knowledge Base

Embassy & consulate attestation in Thailand — questions clients actually ask

Answers on legalising Thai documents at destination-country embassies and consulates in Bangkok — prerequisite steps, supporting documents, accepted translation formats and appointments. (24+ search topics covered)

Will the Apostille Convention remove this step?

Thailand deposited its instrument of accession to the 1961 Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026, and the Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. Until that date Thai documents still follow the two-step route: legalisation by the Department of Consular Affairs, then legalisation by the destination country's embassy in Thailand. Until then, Thai documents continue to use the MFA legalisation plus embassy attestation route, and we will advise you as soon as your document chain can change.

How are foreign-issued documents legalized for use in Thailand?

The chain runs in reverse: the competent authority in the issuing country certifies first, then the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General there endorses it. In Thailand the document is translated into Thai and legalized again by the Department of Consular Affairs — most Thai receiving authorities require that seal on the Thai translation.

Can a representative file on my behalf?

Many embassies accept filing by an authorised representative with a power of attorney, identity copies of both parties and the embassy's own form. Others require the document holder to attend personally, particularly for civil-status documents used for marriage or adoption. Requirements differ sharply between missions, so confirm with the specific embassy before travelling to file.

What is the difference between MFA legalisation and embassy attestation?

Legalisation at the Legalization Division of the Department of Consular Affairs confirms the seal and signature of the Thai official or authorised translator on the document. Embassy attestation is the further step in which the destination country's mission in Thailand endorses that Thai certification for use in its own jurisdiction. Most embassies will not attest a document that has not first been legalised, so the order of the chain matters as much as the documents themselves.

Should the translation be done before or after legalisation?

It depends on the destination's rule. Commonly the document is translated into English or the destination's official language and the translation is legalised together with the original. We confirm the sequence against that embassy's published requirement first.

What extra documents do company files need?

Typically a recent company affidavit from the Department of Business Development, ID/passport copies of authorised directors and the registered company seal. Some countries add a chamber-of-commerce certification step before the embassy.

Can the order be reversed — embassy first, MFA second?

No, as a rule. A foreign embassy in Thailand attests by verifying the signature and seal of the Department of Consular Affairs. Without that seal there is nothing for the embassy to verify and the file is refused. The correct order is original → certified translation → MFA legalization → destination embassy.

What exactly does an embassy certify?

It certifies the authenticity of the seal and signature applied at the previous stage. It does not certify that the content is true or lawful. Responsibility for content stays with the issuing body and the translator, which is why a translation with a name spelled differently from the passport can pass attestation and still be rejected by the receiving institution abroad.
Topics covered
คำค้นหลัก: รับรองเอกสารสถานทูต · embassy attestation bangkok · รับรองเอกสารสถานกงสุล · รับรองเอกสารสถานทูตในไทย · legalization สถานทูต · consular attestation thailand · รับรองเอกสารก่อนส่งไปต่างประเทศ
ลำดับขั้นตอน: ขั้นตอนรับรองเอกสารไปต่างประเทศ · กงสุลก่อนสถานทูต · แปลก่อนรับรองหรือรับรองก่อนแปล · รับรองสำเนาถูกต้องก่อนยื่น · double legalization
เอกสารที่รับรองบ่อย: รับรองหนังสือมอบอำนาจ สถานทูต · รับรองหนังสือรับรองบริษัท สถานทูต · รับรองสัญญาการค้า สถานทูต · รับรองใบสมรส สถานทูต · รับรองวุฒิการศึกษา สถานทูต · รับรองใบตรวจประวัติ สถานทูต
Official references

Need your documents reviewed or your case assessed? Ask our team by phone, LINE, or email. We reply during business hours (Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00, Sat 9:00–15:00, ICT).

Case preparation desk at our Bangkok office
Case preparation desk at our Bangkok officeFrom actual casework by the NYC Visa & Translation team
Service Playbook

Embassy attestation — what to prepare and the order that matters

Embassy legalisation is the final link of the outbound chain. An embassy will only act on a document that already carries Thai Department of Consular Affairs certification.

Documents to prepare

  • Documents already legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs
  • Translation in the language the embassy requires (some accept only their listed translators)
  • Passports of the applicant and everyone named in the documents
  • Embassy-specific forms and the online appointment slip where applicable
  • Purpose evidence such as an admission letter, employment contract or invitation
  • Copies of every document in the quantity the embassy specifies

Step-by-step process

  1. 1. Check that embassy's own rules Requirements differ widely; read the embassy's current notice directly.
  2. 2. Assemble the set in order Original, translation and consular seal must stay bound together.
  3. 3. Book and submit Use the embassy's appointment system and file on the assigned slot.
  4. 4. Track and collect Turnaround varies significantly by mission; build in buffer before your deadline.

Pitfalls and rejection causes

  • A translator accepted by one embassy is not automatically accepted by another.
  • Filing at the embassy before consular legalisation results in immediate refusal.
  • Some missions accept only documents issued within a defined recency window.
  • Never assume one country's procedure substitutes for another's.

Tips from our team

  • Order multiple documents exactly as the embassy lists them.
  • Keep every receipt and collection slip until the case closes.
  • Ask in advance how many wet-ink sets the destination needs.

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.

Route Comparison

Comparing embassy attestation routes

Each embassy sets its own order of steps. This table shows how many stages your document must clear before the embassy counter.

RouteWhen to useCertifying authorityApprox. durationRejection risk
MFA consular legalisation first, then the embassyMost embassies require Thai documents to clear the MFA firstDepartment of Consular Affairs, MFA Thailand, then the destination embassy in ThailandVariable — allow days to several weeks depending on the embassy queueGoing to the embassy before the MFA step means rejection and a new appointment
Direct embassy submission (documents issued by that country)The document originates from the destination country's own authorityThat country's embassy or consulate in ThailandUsually shorter than the two-stage route, still queue-dependentSome embassies require the holder to appear in person with the original passport
Apostille instead of embassy attestationDestination is a contracting state — for Thai documents: Not available until 28 February 2027Department of Consular Affairs, MFA ThailandVariable, per the authority's published practiceNot valid for non-contracting states, and some bodies still ask for a certified translation

Timelines above are practical estimates from live casework and can change with each authority's policy; confirm with the receiving authority before booking travel. If you would rather not test routes by trial and error, our advisers can assess which route fits your case.

Advisory Service

We do not just process documents — we advise you through the whole case

Our team has worked on cross-border documents, certified translation and government liaison for over 15 years. Most rejections we see are not caused by missing paperwork but by choosing the wrong route on day one, so we always start with a case assessment.

Route assessment

We look at your destination, purpose and deadline, then tell you which certification route applies — and which steps you can skip.

Pre-submission review

Name spelling, consistency across documents, document age and translation format are checked before anything reaches a counter.

Timeline planning

We sequence the steps around your appointment or travel date and flag bottlenecks in advance.

Rejection recovery

We read the refusal reasons, identify the underlying cause, and plan a resubmission that answers what the authority asked for.

Rather not learn by trial and error? Send your case details and document photos for a review — reach us on LINE, phone or email during business hours.

Practical Q&A

Practical questions · Near me / DIY / Required documents

Where is document legalisation done in Thailand?

Legalisation is handled by the Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose main office is on Chaeng Watthana Road, plus selected regional passport offices that accept legalisation under the department's announcements. If travelling there is inconvenient, we collect and submit on your behalf from Lat Phrao 95, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani.

Can I submit it myself instead of using an agent?

Yes. The Department of Consular Affairs accepts walk-in and online-booked submissions from the public. The practical risk is sequence and format: official documents must be the issuing authority's version, then translated and certified in the correct order, or they are returned. An agent mainly saves repeat trips and pre-checks the format.

What do I need to bring for legalisation?

Typically the original document issued by the competent authority, a complete and accurate translation, a copy of the document owner's ID or passport, and a power of attorney with the representative's ID copy if someone submits for you. Foreign-issued documents must first be authenticated in the country of origin and by the relevant embassy.
Practical advice & cautions

Legalization & apostille: practical advice and cautions

Before you start
  • Get the receiving party's requirements in writing

    Universities, employers and registry offices publish their own checklists. Obtaining that checklist first fixes the number of copies, the language and the certification route correctly on the first attempt.

  • Check whether the destination is an Apostille Convention party

    For member states the chain ends with an apostille and no embassy step is needed. For non-member states the document must continue through the destination country's embassy. Verify the current member list on the HCCH website.

  • Prepare translations in the format the certifying office actually uses

    The Department of Consular Affairs certifies translations presented in its expected format. Self-formatted translations are frequently sent back for correction, costing a full queue cycle.

  • Keep a scanned backup at every stage

    Photograph or scan every page before submission and again after each stamp, so you have a reference if a document is lost in transit.

Common reasons documents get rejected
  • Ignoring the required translation language

    Some countries accept only translations into their own official language, not English. Certifying an English translation first can mean repeating the entire chain.

  • Assuming a Thai lawyer is a common-law notary public

    Thailand has no common-law notary public. The equivalent role is a Notarial Services Attorney registered with the Lawyers Council of Thailand. Describing it incorrectly can cause the receiving party to reject the document.

  • Mixing both routes

    Requesting an apostille and an embassy legalization at the same time when only one is required wastes time and can raise questions at the destination. Pick the single route that matches the destination's convention status.

  • Certifying a copy that no longer matches the register

    If a registry entry changes after the copy was issued, for example a name change or address move, the certified copy will contradict the database. Re-issue before starting.

Requirements differ by authority and destination country and can change. Confirm current conditions with the receiving authority, or ask our team by phone, LINE or email.

What people search for

Frequently searched topics about legalisation

Legalisation by the Department of Consular Affairs
Document legalisation in Thailand is handled by the Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, MFA.
Foreign documents for use in Thailand
They must first be certified in the issuing country, then translated and legalised in Thailand.
Apostille versus embassy legalisation
Which route applies depends on whether the destination country is a party to the Apostille Convention.
Company documents for overseas use
Obtain a recent certified extract of company records before beginning translation and legalisation.

These topics reflect the rules and practice of the relevant authorities and can change. Confirm with the receiving authority, or ask our team by phone, LINE or email.

Related services

What clients usually handle next

One document set often moves through several stages — translation, notarial certification, legalization and finally a visa filing. The links below follow that real sequence.

External authority references

Authority requirements change. Verify with the receiving authority before filing, or ask our team by phone, LINE or email.