Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thailand Translation

We have explained before on how the marriage certificate is translated in Thailand. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thailand translation is explained below. For this article we will explain not only translation and certification but the process of MFA legalization in Thailand. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is where you marriage certificate is legalized for the purpose of marriage registration. Read more on how this process works. Lastly also see the articles that we wrote on US Visa translations and translation of legal documents. Here we will only explain the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand translation.

The most common documents translated by the MFA would be that of the marriage certificate. When you get married in Thailand you will need to obtain a letter of no impediment from your Embassy. This may take a few days. The Muslim countries normally require you to obtain the letter from home and not the Embassy in Bangkok.

This document has to be translated and then verified by the MFA. The Embassy stamp will be checked by the MFA with the translation. They will ensure that no fraudulent documents are used in Thailand. To verify the Embassy stamp and signature they will place another stamp on your document. This is to show the Amphur office that the document is authentic. That document will now enter that Thai system so you can register your marriage.

You will need to obtain the birth certificate of the child. For Thai nationals they should already have a birth certificate in Thailand issued by the Amphur office where the child was born. The birth certificate must be translated into Thai and certified for use abroad. The document will also need to be legalized by the MFA for use abroad.

Once this has been completed then the original documents and the translated documents will need to be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for legalization. The documents need to be submitted to the MFA. There is also the legalization fees for the documents. You will need to wait for the return of the documents, when it has been completed. Note that much like the marriage certificate translation the MFA will place a stamp or seal on both the original and translated versions. Much like the marriage certificate.

Lastly also note that countries differ. Some countries may require that the documents are apostilled (an international certification under the Hague Apostille Convention). Likewise some might want to have further authentication from the embassy. The law firm in Bangkok that does the translation will generally know what is acceptable in which countries.

The process of documents translation in Bangkok can be difficult and time consuming. Many prefer to had this over to a law firm. There is red tape and many don’t wish to spend their time on this. Most people tend to prefer a one stop shop. Get the translation and the legalization completed. What is provided for translation services in Thailand.

Provide Certified Translations:

We are a reputable translation law firm. We employ translators who are not only familiar with the processes for birth certificate translation and legalization. But also marriage registration and all the document translation for that.

Likewise if you are applying for a US visa we also do those documents and well as for the British Visa and Australian visa applications. As a law firm in Thailand our translators are familiar with all the legal terminology. Likewise we can ensure that your documents are translated accurately and in compliance with MFA standards.

Handle Legalization on Behalf of Clients:

Note that many translation agencies do offer the services of submitting your documents directly to the MFA. This save clients time, frustration and money.

Ensure Compliance with International Standards:

If you apply for a K-1 visa then we can complete the application with you. The documents that need translation as well as those that require legalization. The same goes for the K-2 visa as well as the translation and legalization of the K-2 child custody agreement. Likewise as stated above there will be the need to translation of the birth certificates and have it legalized for use abroad. Lastly the marriage registration certificate as well.

The process may look simple however there are pitfalls when it comes to translations. These are the most common issues with translations in Thailand. Some of these challenges we can sum up in three main issues.

Inaccurate Translations:

The most common issues tend to be inaccurate translations. We can look at some of the most common issue with the K-3 visa application as well as the CR-1 visa application. The incorrect or incomplete translation of the marriage certificate or birth certificate. You can see the article that we wrote on marriage certificate translation.

Many times the translator forgets to add the titles or annotations as well as the signatures of the government bot which issued these. You also find this with birth certificates. These cause delays in the visa application and can result in a US visa denial. From there you will get a Request for Evidence or have to file a Notice of Motion. These cause delays and pushes up the cost of the visa.

Delays in Legalization:

Note that the timelines for the MFA will differ as there may be processing delays. This you might find mainly during the peak periods of the day. This can then extend the legalization timeline. Likewise if you wish to complete the MFA legalization on your own then you better plan ahead. This is important when you are dealing with visa matters as well as wedding registrations.

Inconsistent Requirements:

As you might note that different countries have different requirements. There is no set format globally as to how documents need to be certified after the translation. Some will allow for standard Thai certification while others require legalization and others would want an apostille document. This is a form of international certification likewise there may be specific formats. Our law firm in Bangkok will know which formats are needed for different countries.

Government Recognition: You will note that the translations done by the MFA is seen as official as well as accurate This is useful for many documents such as birth certificates and marriage certificates as an example.

Seamless Legalization: If the documents need to be legalized then there is seamless integrated as it comes from the same system. This as they will complete the translation as well as the legalization. This is well recognized for consular purposes. The MFA will automatically place their seal on the documents. There are no extra steps needed.

Credibility in International Use: The documents which they have translated and legalized is accepted for visa applications as well as for immigration processes.

Limited Customization: Much like any government department there are government protocols. This means that there is very limited flexibility There are expeditated processes or personalized services. The process is very rigid.

Longer Wait Times: The wait times can become an issue. Translation and legalization takes a while for documents. The services are much slower than the private sector. This one will see during peak times. The translation services can take a while which could be days. This depending on the documents being translated.

Limited Language Options: The MFA may have limited availability for translating less common languages. See translation in Thailand.

Faster Services: The turnaround with private translation services in Bangkok is much faster and predictable compared to the MFA. Many translation services in Pattaya and Bangkok offer same day or next day translation services. If the documents are time-sensitive then having your translation completed the same day or next day has an advantage.

Tailored Solutions: Private translation agencies or law firms are more flexible. There are also many customized services that may be needed. This based on your needs. Note that a law firm can also offer addition services such a notary public, visa services and more. Many prefer a one-stop shop for service. There is a saving of time as well as money.

Wide Range of Language Expertise: With private translation there will also be a much a much wider service of languages. This the MFA will not be able to offer. So the go-to option is the private sector.

Specialized Knowledge: Private translation also often specialize in specific types of documents. You will note the importance of legal terminology. We explained it in the article called legal wording. This becomes important when it comes to legal documents which has industry-specific jargon.

There may also be issues on its own. The quality of translations will differ. It is always best to use a law firm to complete the translation for legal documents, agreements as well as visa application services. The cost would normally be slighter higher however it will also offer additional services as explained. The timeline for translating documents will however will be much shorter. Urgent translation as well as specialized documents need proper care and industry specific knowledge. Speak to us in Bangkok for assistance.