Foreign Parent-Company Documents — Notary, Apostille and Translation

Typically the parent company's certificate of incorporation, a shareholder list or evidence of the authorised signatory, a board resolution approving the Thai investment, and a power of attorney for the representative in Thailand. Each must be certified in the country of origin, then translated into Thai with the translation certified before filing with the DBD.

The order Thai authorities accept is (1) notarisation in the country of origin, (2) certification by the origin-country authority or the Royal Thai Embassy there, (3) translation into Thai, (4) certification of the translation by the Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs. Translating before origin-country certification is the single most common cause of rejection.

Thailand has acceded to the Apostille Convention and it enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. Until that date documents still require conventional legalisation. After entry into force, documents from contracting states can carry an apostille instead of embassy legalisation. Check the current status at hcch.net and consular.mfa.go.th.

State the scope precisely — signing the registration application, amending wording at the Registrar's direction, and collecting documents. Affix stamp duty under the Revenue Code, and where the grantor is abroad, sign before a notary public and then follow the certification order above.

Thailand has no sworn-translator register of the European kind; the Department of Consular Affairs certifies a translation where it is accurate and the translator certifies it. In practice, use a translation office familiar with the format consular officers accept — in particular, transliterating the company name so it matches the Thai name reserved at the DBD.

Most banks require a company certificate issued within one to three months, the memorandum of association, the shareholder list, a board resolution on account opening and signatories, ID or passports of all directors, and evidence of the office address. Foreign directors usually must attend the branch in person, and some banks want to see a work permit before granting online payment rights.

The core set is the current Thai company affidavit and shareholder list, proof of US nationality of the shareholders or the parent's Certificate of Good Standing, a power of attorney, and the embassy's own forms. US documents must be notarised; once Thailand's Apostille Convention accession takes effect on 28 February 2027 an apostille will replace the double-legalisation chain, but until then the existing route applies.

Hold the board or shareholders meeting required by the articles, then file forms BorOrJor 1, BorOrJor 4 and the director schedule with the registrar within fourteen days of the change, attaching ID or passport copies of new directors, the meeting minutes and a power of attorney if an agent files. Update the bank, the Revenue Department and the Social Security Office immediately, otherwise cheque signing and tax filings can be rejected.

A move within the same province needs only a board resolution and an address amendment. Moving to a different province amends the memorandum clause on the location of the registered office, so it requires a special shareholders resolution filed together with the memorandum amendment. Prepare the lease or consent letter, a house registration copy for the new address and a map. Remember to amend the VAT certificate (PorPor 20) at the new revenue office and any work permit that states the place of work.