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An apostille is a stamp or certificate that an authority in the country which issued a document attaches to confirm the signature, the signer's authority and the seal are genuine (Hague Apostille Convention, Articles 3–5, HCCH). Between the Convention's members it replaces consular legalisation. Thailand has joined: it deposited its instrument of accession on 30 June 2026, and the Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. Until then, a foreign document for a Thai office is still legalised through the Thai embassy or consulate chain, usually after certification in the country where the document was issued. Our guide Thailand apostille: what works now and from February 2027 sets out the current chain document by document.
Apostille vs legalisation
The difference is in how many offices sign off, and who they are.
| Apostille | Legalisation | |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues it | One authority in the country where the document was issued | Several offices in a chain |
| How it works | A single certificate replaces consular legalisation between Convention members; a translation may still be needed separately | A chain of certifications ending at an embassy; the exact order depends on the document and the country of issue |
We advise checking with the receiving Thai office first on the form it expects: an apostille confirms the signature and seal, not the content of a document or its translation into Thai.
Where expats in Thailand run into this
The question usually comes up with a power of attorney signed abroad for the Land Office, documents for registering a marriage, or other foreign papers, depending on what the receiving Thai authority asks for. Which documents need legalisation, and in what order, depends on the receiving office and on the Thai embassy or consulate responsible for the country where the document was issued. For a power of attorney specifically, see our page on notary services and powers of attorney in Phuket.
In practice, Thai embassies in London and Canberra tell foreign signers to have a notary certify the signature first, take the document to their own foreign ministry, and only then to the Thai embassy — and the London embassy says it cannot certify a foreigner's signature directly. Until 28 February 2027 expect a chain of this kind; the number of steps depends on the country (some missions add a Ministry of Justice step), so check the exact order with the Thai embassy and with the receiving Land Office before you sign anything.
What to check
The Convention applies only between members that have not objected to each other's accession. Some states have objected to other countries joining in the past, and whether any country will object to Thailand stays open until the objection window closes, around 30 December 2026. It is also not yet clear how the Land Office will treat a power of attorney carrying an apostille instead of a legalisation chain — no official guidance has been published yet.
Our lawyers check the chain of certifications against your embassy's requirements and the Land Office's before you send off any originals.
If you are not sure whether your document needs an apostille or legalisation, send it to us. Our team will reply within 24 hours and explain which route applies to your document. Details of the service are on our page about document legalisation for Thailand.
