Consular legalization of Thai documents is the process by which competent authorities in Thailand and the Vietnamese diplomatic mission certify the authenticity of the seals and signatures on the documents, so that such documents are recognized and can be used in Vietnam for official purposes.

At present, Vietnam and Thailand have not entered into a mutual legal assistance treaty in civil matters, nor are they members of the Apostille Convention (Hague Convention of 1961). Therefore, all documents issued in Thailand must undergo consular legalization in order to be accepted by competent Vietnamese authorities when used in Vietnam.

In this guide, Nova Law outlines the steps for consular legalization of Thai documents for use in Vietnam, along with key notes to help ensure an efficient process.

Step 1. Certification of documents in Thailand

1. For notarization or certification of documents

If the document is an original issued and directly sealed by a Thai government authority (e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate, criminal record certificate), Step 1 may be skipped, and the process proceeds directly to Step 2.

If the document to be legalized is an original but not directly issued by a government authority (e.g. invoices, certificates of origin, business registration certificates, diplomas, training certificates), it must be certified by the competent authority in Thailand. Competent authority depends on the type of document. A detailed list is provided HERE.

If the document to be legalized is a copy of an original, it must be further certified by a licensed notary public in Thailand, specifically:

• The original document bearing original signatures and seals must be presented.
• For online or downloaded documents, retrieval must be carried out in the presence of the notary public. The person submitting the document must be present for certification that the copy matches the original.

2. For signature certification

Some types of documents, such as a Power of Attorney, are required to undergo signature notarization at a Thai notary office as follows:

• The signatory must sign the document directly in the presence of the notary public.
• Identification documents of the signatory must be presented (e.g. passport).

Step 2. Consular authentication by the MOFA of Thailand

After completing Step 1 (if applicable), the documents must be submitted to one of the following locations for authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Thailand, which certifies the notary’s signature or the seal/stamp of the competent authority:

Department of Consular Affairs – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand:

• Address: 3rd Floor, 123 Chaengwattana Road, Lak Si District, Bangkok 10210
• Tel: 091-723 3604
• Email: consular04@mfa.go.th
• Working hours: 08:30 – 14:30 (except Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)

Or One of the extended service locations of the Department of Consular Affairs

An online appointment must be made via the website of the Department of Consular Affairs. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand before visiting any of the above locations (except the Temporary Passport Office in Prachuap Khiri Khan).

Result: A consular authentication stamp issued by the MOFA of Thailand affixed to the back of the document.

Step 3. Consular legalization by Vietnamese diplomatic authorities

Option 1. Consular legalization by the Embassy or Consulate General of Vietnam in Thailand

Embassy of Vietnam in Bangkok, Thailand

• Address: 83/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand
• Tel: +66 (0) 2 650 8979; +66 (0) 2251 5838; +66 (0) 2251 7202
• Email: vnemb.th@mofa.gov.vn

Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen, Thailand

• Address: 65/6 Chatapadung Road, Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
• Tel: +66 (0) 4324 2190
• Email: konkaen.th@mofa.gov.vn

Result collection: In person or by post.

Result: A Vietnamese consular legalization stamp affixed to the back of the document, next to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication stamp.

Option 2. Consular legalization of Thai documents in Vietnam

The documents authenticated by the MOFA of Thailand must be sent to Vietnam and the following steps completed:

Step 3.1. Authentication by the Embassy or Consulate of Thailand in Vietnam

The Thai Embassy or Consulate General in Vietnam verifies the authenticity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand seal:

In Hanoi: Royal Thai Embassy

• Address: 26 Phan Boi Chau Street, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi City
• Working hours: 09:00 – 12:00 and 13:30 – 15:00 (Monday to Friday)
• Tel: +84 24 3823 5092-4 ext. 130
• Direct line: +84 24 3823 5095
• Email: consular.han@mfa.go.th

In Ho Chi Minh City: Royal Thai Consulate General

• Address: 77 Tran Quoc Thao Street, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
• Working hours: 09:00 – 11:30 and 13:30 – 15:30 (Monday to Friday)
• Tel: +84 28 3932 7637 (press 0)
• Email: consular.hom@mfa.go.th

No prior appointment is required.

Processing time: 3–7 working days.

Required result: An authentication stamp issued by the Thai Embassy or Consulate General in Vietnam.

Step 3.2. Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam

After completing Step 3.1, the documents must be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam for Vietnamese consular legalization:

In Hanoi: Department of Consular Affairs – Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Address: 40 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh Ward, Hanoi

In Ho Chi Minh City: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs – Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Address: 6 Alexandre de Rhodes Street, Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Required documents include:

• Application form for consular legalization (Form LS/HPH-2012/TK)
• Documents requiring consular legalization (results of Step 3.1)
• One copy of the applicant’s identification document or passport

In cases where verification of authenticity is required, the receiving officer may request presentation of relevant originals or submission of copies.

Processing time: 3–5 working days.

Required result: A Vietnamese consular legalization sticker affixed to the back of the document.

Step 4. Translation into Vietnamese and certification of the translator’s signature

Documents that have been consular legalized and are in English or Thai must be translated into Vietnamese. The translator’s signature on the Vietnamese translation must be certified by a licensed notary organization in Vietnam.

Processing time: from 2 working days.

Result: Vietnamese translation of the document and notarized certification of the translator’s signature.

Conclusion

Total processing times for consular legalization may take at least 2 weeks if there are no delays. After the Thai document has been consular legalized and translated into Vietnamese, it can be recognized and used in Vietnam for official purposes.

Navigating the consular legalization process for your documents intended for use in Vietnam can be complex and time- consuming, involving coordination with multiple agencies in both countries. To save time, let Nova Law assist you with streamlined legalization services for Thai documents. Please share your documents with Nova Law to: legal@novalaw.vn, we’ll review them and send you a service proposal.