A Notary Public is a professional who witnesses the signing of documents, authenticates signatures and affidavits and administers oaths. They also provide their stamp and seal for legal validity.
Thailand does not have Notaries Public like some countries but there are around 4,000 lawyers who have been certified to act as Notarial Services Attorneys under a 2008 Lawyers Council regulation.
Legal Definition
Generally speaking, Notaries are officials licensed by the government to authenticate signatures and documents, as well as witness affidavits or statements of persons under oath. They have varying degrees of responsibilities and powers depending on the country and region they operate in. Notaries are trusted because their seals and stamps are universally recognized as authentic. They also provide additional services, such as verifying the identity of signatories or certifying copies of original documents. These legal professionals are essential for international business and legal proceedings, and a Notary’s seal is an excellent way to add an extra layer of legitimacy to a document.
Thailand is not a party to the Hague Convention on Legalization of Foreign Public Documents, so there are no officially licensed Notaries Public in the country. However, the Lawyers Council offers a role called “Notarial Services Attorney” to lawyers who are qualified and can perform these functions. This is similar to being a document superhero and allows them to act as Notaries for documents to be used overseas or at foreign embassies.
Some of the most common documents that need to be notarized include Power of Attorney Thailand (documents granting someone else authority to act on your behalf), Real Estate Documents (deeds and contracts) and legal affirmations. Notarization is important for anyone who needs to have their documents recognized by foreign jurisdictions, as it adds a layer of authenticity that can be verified by the embassy where you will be submitting them.
Functions
In a typical situation, a Notary Public authenticates legal documents and signatures, administers oaths, and certifies a copy of an official document. This type of professional has varying levels of responsibilities and powers depending on the country. In Thailand, special lawyers called Notarial Services Attorneys have been given the green light by the Lawyers Council to perform authentication services regulated by The Lawyers Act.
Authentication is essential for legal documents, particularly those used in foreign countries. This is because the presence of a Notary Public ensures that a signatory has valid identification, and that he or she signed the document willingly. In addition, Notaries can verify that a document is genuine and that it has been inspected by an authorized legal professional.
These functions are critical for international business and cross-border transactions, since they help deter fraud by ensuring the authenticity of legal documents. Moreover, the presence of a Notary Public can make it easier to complete certain international transactions because notarized documents are widely accepted in other jurisdictions.
The most important function of a Notary Public is to verify the identity of people who sign documents and to witness their signatures. They can also certify copies of official documents and verify that they are genuine. In some cases, notarized documents are necessary for proving your address or identity to banks or government agencies abroad.
Qualifications
Notaries are government-approved officials that authenticate signatures and documents. They can also witness affidavits and statements of people under oath. They are recognized internationally, whether in Europe or Southeast Asia. Notarized documents carry added legal validity and are highly respected. They help deter fraud and serve as an unbiased proof of identity.
Documents that require notarization usually involve a significant transaction or legal rights. This includes applications for foreign visas, power of attorneys, and real estate documents. It is important to choose a notary who has extensive experience and is well-versed in the laws of Thailand. Notaries are required to follow strict regulations set forth by the Lawyers Council of Thailand. They must pass a rigorous professional exam and be licensed to practice notary services in Thailand.
A notary is an expert in the Thai language and can translate your documents into English. They can also prepare a certificate of your name and address for use in the documents you wish to notarize. If your paperwork is in Thai, you may need to supply the Notary with a document showing your specific address in Thailand such as a utility bill or credit card statement. They can then convert this information into English and certify it for use in your overseas documentation. They can also make certified copies of your passport, which will be stamped “Certified True Copy” by the Notary.
Fees
A notary public is an official who is licensed to authenticate a signature, document, title deed, or statement of an individual under oath. A notarized document is valid proof that the person signed it voluntarily and understood what they were signing. This can be an important step when sending documents overseas because the entity accepting the documents may require that the signature and documents are authenticated by a notary public before they will accept it.
Notary services are offered by most law firms in Thailand that specialize in legal matters. It’s important to make sure that the firm you select is experienced and provides thorough verification services to ensure that the document is authentic. You can also find a notary lawyer on the internet by searching for “notary services attorney” or “notary lawyer Thailand.” You can also inquire with your home country’s embassy in Bangkok to see if they provide limited notary service.
The qualifications that a notary public must have include being a licensed attorney, training and certification in the legal and practical aspects of notary work, and passing an examination. It’s best to use a notary who is certified by the Lawyers Council of Thailand for the most reliability. Also, notary services in Thailand are more reliable if you request the services of a bilingual NSA lawyer because they are more familiar with the language and culture.