Authenticating documents for working in Thailand as an expat
If you are working in Thailand as an expat, there are a few things you should know about document authentication Thailand. The first thing to note is that the process of authenticating documents in Thailand and knowing who can certify documents in Thailand is different from what you may be used to in your home country. Here is a quick guide on document authentication Thailand to help you get started.
Document authentication Thailand: what do you need to live and work?
Document authentication is the process of verifying that a document is genuine and has been issued by a legitimate source. In order to be accepted as valid for working in Thailand as an expat, many types of documents must be authenticated by both the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or the Thai Consulate.
There are so many reasons why you might need Australian document authentication Thailand. Maybe you’re studying or working in Thailand as an expat, or maybe you need to certify copies of important original documents like your birth certificate or marriage certificate. Personal documents, educational documents, and commercial documents are among the many types of documents that may need to be officially verified before you begin working in Thailand as an expat. Specific requirements for document authentication Thailand vary depending on what has been requested of you by your employer or educational institution, but can include official verification of:
- an Australian birth certificate;
- an Australian marriage certificate;
- Australian academic qualifications, i.e. your degree testamur;
- Australian professional qualifications or licences relevant to your job;
- Australian police checks;
- Australian business documents, e.g., ASIC certificate of incorporation.
Find out more about authentication requirements in our Ultimate Guide to Document Attestation.
Australian document authentication Thailand: how to get sorted when working in Thailand as an expat
Getting your authentication certificate when you’re living abroad takes a few different steps.
- Step 1: you need a notarised copy of the original document.
- Step 2: you then get your notarised certificate stamped by DFAT
- Step 3: after that, you’ll need to visit the Thai Consulate in Sydney to get the certificate stamped by the Consulate.
Getting each of these steps completed can be difficult enough when you’re physically in Australia. Not everyone lives close to the offices you need to get to. Of course, if you’re already working in Thailand as an expat—or in any other overseas location—the process is even harder.
Who can certify documents in Thailand?
The process to get your documents authenticated becomes even more difficult and costly when you’re trying to get documents authenticated from Thailand where you not only have the physical barrier to DFAT, but it can be hard to know who can certify documents in Thailand—in the first instance to find an Australian notary overseas. That’s where our personal document authentication and corporate document authentication services come in handy—we take the stress out of document authentication Thailand to help you get on with your overseas adventure.
What are the costs involved with document authentication Thailand and how long does the process take?
Cost to DIY document authentication Thailand when you’re in Thailand
If you’re already living and working in Thailand as an expat, you can organise the various stages of document authentication yourself. But word from the wise: it can be hard enough getting all three approvals you need (notarisation, DFAT authentication, Thai government attestation) when you’re here in Australia, much less when you’re already working in Thailand as an expat.
The main costs to think about include:
- Cost for travel to and from Sydney
- Australian Notary fees
- DFAT stamp fees
- Thai Consulate or MFA filing fees
- Postage or courier costs
- And of course a lot of admin, time and extreme patience.
Cost of Australian document authentication Thailand using a Thai provider
If you’re working in Thailand as an expat, you may be able to find a local Thai provider for this service, but it’s likely to be a more expensive and convoluted option with more people involved in the process. We’re regularly approached to partner with overseas providers to help them offer this service to people with Australian documents living in Thailand, because they literally cannot fulfill the requirements from overseas and so rely on Australian-based partners.
Cost of Australian document authentication Thailand using an Australian provider
A local Australian document authentication service (of course we think our virtual service is the best!) provides and all-in-one solution that you can rely on to just get it done. We provide quick, simple, and inexpensive authentication services with personal attention. Our set fee covers every aspect of the process, so you won’t have to worry about anything. So even if you aren’t in Australia and are working in Thailand as an expert, you can use our Australian service remotely. We have a 5-star rating on Google and hundreds of delighted consumers.
The process of getting document authentication Thailand completed by us is quick and easy
- Step 1: use our online form to order your documents for Thailand. Our prices are completely transparent and cover everything you need. You can upload your documents as part of the order process for us to verify prior to getting on with the process of document authentication Thailand.
- Step 2: our appointed notary public will verify the legitimacy of your documents and issue your notarial certificate.
- Step 3: We get our boots on and head on over to DFAT and the Thai consulate to get your official stamps, then courier your officially authenticated documents to you in Thailand (or wherever you happen to be!).
How long does document authentication Thailand take?
The 3-step document authentication process can take as little as 5 business days to complete. Then we get the courier in to get your documents to you asap. So if you’re working in Thailand as an expat, you’ll have them faster than it would take to organise on your own from abroad.
Ready to get your documents authenticated?
When working in Thailand as an expat, getting your Australian papers certified can be a time-consuming process. Among other requirements, a quick visit to DFAT is not exactly feasible from Thailand, so getting your document authentication straightened out can be incredibly inconvenient when you’re not in Sydney—and a whole lot of time and effort even if you are.
But don’t worry, because we are the only completely virtual company in Australia dedicated to meeting our international clients’ specific needs. You can apply for your certification without leaving Thailand, and rest assured that everything is taken care of so you can get on with your Thai adventure.
Get started:
Fast document authentication for Thailand
Skip the embassy. Skip the DFAT queue. Skip the admin. Take the stress out of document authentication and let us manage the entire process for you.
