Is a Thai notary recognized in the United States?+
Yes. A Thai Notarial Services Attorney's stamp is accepted by US banks, the IRS, and immigration. For court use, add MFA legalization plus US embassy authentication — we handle the full chain.
Can you come to my villa or hotel?+
Yes. On-site service is available across Phuket: Patong, Kamala, Bang Tao, Laguna, Rawai, Nai Harn, Kata, Karon, Chalong, and the marinas. There is a travel surcharge that we quote upfront.
What is the difference between MFA legalization and Apostille?+
MFA legalization is the current process — the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs authenticates the notary's signature, then the destination embassy authenticates the MFA stamp. Apostille is a single stamp that replaces both, valid in Hague Convention countries. Thailand joins the Convention in 2026.
How quickly can you notarize a POA?+
Standard POAs are notarized the same day. For urgent transactions (yacht handover, property closing, airport departure), we offer 1-hour emergency service for an additional fee.
Do you provide bilingual (English–Thai) versions?+
Yes. We draft side-by-side bilingual documents and our certified translator stamps the Thai column. This is the safest format for documents that will be used both in Thailand and abroad.
Can the attorney's stamp be verified?+
Yes. Each notarial act carries a unique reference and is logged in the firm's notarial book audited by the Lawyers Council. Any embassy, court, or counter-party can email the Council to verify.
Do you notarize on weekends and public holidays?+
Yes. Saturday and Sunday appointments are available with 24-hour notice at our Phuket Town office. Public holidays and after-hours (18:00–22:00) carry a 30–50% surcharge but are routinely arranged for property closings and pre-departure POAs.
Can I use a scanned copy of my passport, or must it be the original?+
The notary must sight the original passport to verify identity at the signing. A scanned copy is fine for drafting purposes, but you must bring the physical passport to the appointment — no exceptions under Lawyers Council rules.
How long is a notarized document valid?+
The notarial certificate itself does not expire — but receiving authorities often impose a freshness window: 3 months for embassy legalization, 6 months for many US/UK banks, 12 months for corporate filings. Ask the receiver first; we redate if needed for a small fee.
Do you handle Apostille yourself, or must I go to Bangkok?+
We handle the full Apostille process on your behalf — you never need to travel to MFA in Bangkok. Documents are couriered to Chaeng Watthana, Apostilled, and returned to your Phuket address within 3–5 working days from 28 February 2027 rollout.
Can a notarized POA be revoked?+
Yes. A Revocation of Power of Attorney is itself a notarial act — we prepare and notarize the revocation, then notify the attorney-in-fact and any relevant third parties (banks, land offices) in writing.
What if my document is in a language other than English or Thai?+
We accept documents in Chinese, Russian, German, French, Spanish, and Arabic. If the destination requires English or Thai, we pair the notarization with a certified translation at the same appointment.
Do embassies accept notarizations from any Thai lawyer, or only from certain firms?+
Any lawyer with a current Notarial Services Attorney endorsement is accepted. Embassies verify authenticity by matching the signature specimen filed at MFA — which is why we re-register every 2 years to avoid rejection.
Can you notarize a Will drafted by a foreign lawyer?+
Yes. We notarize the signature (execution) but do not opine on foreign-law validity. For Thai-situs assets we usually recommend a separate Thai Will — see our Will & Inheritance service page.
Is the Apostille from Thailand accepted in Hong Kong and Macau?+
Yes — Hong Kong and Macau have been Apostille jurisdictions for decades. Mainland China joined in November 2023, so all three Chinese destinations now accept a single Apostille without embassy stamping.
Can you notarize documents for cryptocurrency or offshore-company use?+
Yes. We regularly notarize source-of-funds letters, beneficial-owner declarations, and share transfers for BVI, Cayman, Singapore, and Seychelles structures — all Apostille or embassy-legalized as required by the recipient jurisdiction.
What if my document has multiple pages — is each page notarized?+
The notary certificate is attached to the document as a whole. All pages are stamped with the firm seal (page-by-page) and the certificate references the exact page count to prevent substitution. This is the format MFA and every embassy accept.
Do I need to book in advance, or can I walk in?+
Walk-ins are welcome at the Phuket Town office for standard signature certifications and true copies (subject to attorney availability). Complex drafting (POA, Affidavit, corporate resolutions) is by appointment so we can prepare wording in advance — usually same-day if you contact us before 12:00.
What is the difference between 'certified true copy' and 'notarized copy'?+
In Thailand these are the same notarial act — the attorney compares the copy against the original and certifies the copy is a true reproduction. Some UK/AU authorities distinguish 'certified copy' (any professional) from 'notarized copy' (notary only) — we always issue the higher-tier notarized version.
Can I get an electronic notarized document (e-Notary)?+
For US recipients that accept Remote Online Notarization (RON), we issue e-notarized PDFs sealed with a qualified electronic signature — see our Notary & e-Signature service. Most other jurisdictions still require wet-ink originals.
Are your notaries covered by professional indemnity insurance?+
Yes. Every attorney in our firm carries mandatory Lawyers Council professional indemnity, plus additional firm-level coverage. Reference numbers and insurer details are on the receipt for any transaction above THB 100,000 in stated value.
