Foreigners dealing with legal matters in Thailand; probate, inheritance, family disputes, civil claims, immigration, or recognition of foreign documents, are often surprised to learn that Thai courts require all foreign-language documents to be translated into Thai with complete accuracy and an official certification.
A simple “informal translation” is not enough. Improper or uncertified translations can lead to:
- Delays in the court process
- Objections from the opposing party
- Court orders to amend or re-submit documents
- Rejection of evidence
- Unfair disadvantage in the case
This is why a Certified Legal Translation is essential for court filing in Thailand.
1) Why Foreigners Need Certified Translation in Thailand
(Keywords: certified translation Thailand, legal translation Thailand, court translation Thailand)
Thailand’s Civil Procedure Code requires that any foreign document used as evidence must be:
- Translated into Thai accurately
- Certified by a qualified translator or translation institute
- Consistent with the original’s format and legal intent
For foreigners, this typically applies to:
✔ Foreign probate & inheritance in Thailand
(Distributing the estate of a foreign national, appointing an executor, proving family relationships, death certificate, etc.)
✔ Family matters
(Recognition of foreign divorce, marriage, custody orders etc.)
✔ Civil & commercial disputes
(Contracts, emails, business documents, Purchase Order, Invoice, Memorandum of Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding etc.)
✔ Labour & employment cases
(Employment contracts, payroll, incident reports, warning letters, work regulations, etc.)
✔ Immigration & cross-border matters
(Background checks, family proofs, financial statements, education certificates, title deeds, vehicle registration, birth certificate, marriage certificate, civil registration, etc.)
If the translation is incomplete or legally inconsistent, the court has the power to dismiss the evidence, even if the original document is valid.
2) Documents Commonly Used by Foreigners in Thai Courts
Here are typical documents that foreign clients must translate into Thai:
Probate / Inheritance Cases (Foreign estates in Thailand)
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Foreign wills
- Proof of heirs
- Foreign asset statements
- Court orders from other countries
- Passport copies and proof of residence
Civil & Contract Cases
- Sales agreements, service contracts, loan contracts
- Mortgage or property documents
- Invoices, receipts, payment, purchase order records
- Business correspondence
- Foreign company registration documents
Labour Cases
- Employment contracts
- Salary and wage records
- HR policies
- Incident and disciplinary reports
- Work regulation
- Warning letter
Family Court
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Custody or child-support orders
- Transfer records of support payments
- Medical or behavioural assessments
3) What Translation Format Do Thai Courts Accept?
Thai courts generally accept translations that include:
- Translator’s full name and signature
- Date of translation
- Qualification/ institution of the translator
- Statement of accuracy (Certification)
- Original documents/ copy attached as reference
When the court may require more:
- If legal terminology is disputed, the translator may need to appear in court to confirm the accuracy of the translation.
- If the original document is from a foreign country, the court may require legalization or notarization before translation.
4) Do You Need a Notary Public, an Apostille, or Legalization? (Important for Foreigners)
Short answer:
✔ For Thai court filing → No Notary required for the translation itself
A Certified Translation by a qualified translator is usually enough.
✔ For foreign documents → Yes, the original may require notarization/legalization
Foreign-issued documents often require:
- Notary Public
- Apostille or consular legalization
- Sometimes additional authentication before use in Thailand
✔ For sending Thai documents overseas → Yes, you need Notary + MFA + Embassy
If you need to use Thai translations in another country (e.g., Japan, Korea, EU, Philippines), the process is:
- Certified Translation
- Notarization by Notarial Services Attorney
- Legalization by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Embassy legalization (if required)
5) How the Translation Process Works (For Foreign Clients)
(Keywords: court translation process, how to translate for Thai court)
- Send a clear scan of your documents
- Translator reviews legal formatting and terminology
- Document is translated using correct Thai/English legal terms
- Proofreading and accuracy check
- Certification is added
- Documents are sent to your lawyer for filing
6) Translation Fees (Typical Range)
- General documents: THB 200–1,000/page
- Legal documents, contracts, court orders: THB 500–2,000/page
- Court affirmation (if requested): THB 1,500–4,000
❌ Common Translation Mistakes That Cause Court Problems
- Incorrect legal terms
- Incorrect dates or names
- Missing certification
- Wrong formatting
- Translator not qualified → court may reject the document
❌ Common Translation Mistakes That Can Seriously Affect Your Case
Incorrect legal terminology is one of the most critical issues for foreign clients.
Unlike general translation, legal translation requires accuracy in meaning, structure, and legal intent. Even one mistranslated term can:
- Change the legal effect of a contract
- Alter or distort the factual meaning
- Causes misunderstandings in court
- Lead to objections from the opposing party
- Result in the court rejecting the document entirely
Incorrect legal terms are especially dangerous.
Legal terms in English often do not have direct Thai equivalents, and vice versa.
If the translator chooses the wrong term, even slightly wrong, the meaning of the document may be legally different under Thai law.
Example:
- “Custody” vs. “Parental Power”
- “Heir-at-law” vs. “Beneficiary”
- “Contract termination” vs. “Rescission”
- “Power of Attorney” vs. “Authorization Letter”
To a foreign client, these may seem almost the same.
To a Thai court, they mean completely different things.
This is why your translation must be done by a legal translator who understands both languages and the legal systems involved.
Conclusion: Why Foreigners Should Use a Certified Legal Translator in Thailand
Thai courts are strict on translation accuracy and certification.
A small mistake, such as incorrect legal terminology, can disrupt your entire case.
Working with a translator experienced in Thai court procedures, probate cases, family matters, and cross-border legal requirements will save you time, prevent objections, and protect your legal position.
Professional Legal Translation Service (For Foreigners in Thailand)
We specialize in Certified Legal Translation for:
- Thai court filings
- Foreign probate in Thailand
- Recognition of foreign marriage/divorce
- Immigration and embassy submissions
- Documents for use overseas (Notary + MFA + Embassy available)
Every translation is done with:
✔ Legal accuracy
✔ Correct terminology
✔ Compliance with Thai court standards
✔ Fast turnaround
✔ Affordable pricing
Contact us for a quotation or to review a document. You can chat with us on the right instant chat button or in the following ways:
📧 Email: wpk.notary@gmail.com
📍 Facebook: WPK Notary
📲 LINE: @519clses
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