Thai Police Clearance with Translation and Full Legalisation

A police clearance issued by the Special Branch Bureau is a Thai public document. Many foreign authorities accept it only after a chain of certifications: a translation where required, authentication of the issuing officer's signature by the Department of Consular Affairs, and further legalisation by the destination country's embassy. Some recipients ask for notarisation instead or in addition. The correct order depends on the recipient, not on one formula for every country.

• Apply and give fingerprints at the Special Branch Bureau's Personal Background Check Center (the applicant attends in person)
• Translate into the language the destination requires, including stamps and signatures
• Authenticate at the Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs
• Legalise at the destination country's embassy or consulate in Thailand, if the recipient requires it

Thailand has joined the Apostille Convention, which enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. For destination countries that are parties, an Apostille replaces embassy legalisation. Non-party countries still need the consular and embassy route. Check a country's status on the HCCH status table.

• Translation and certification were done in the wrong order for the recipient
• Names in the translation do not match the passport
• The certificate became older than the recipient accepts while waiting for later steps
• The destination embassy changed its requirements or works by appointment only

Tell us the destination country and authority, the purpose (visa, employment, marriage), any written requirements you received, and a copy of the certificate if you already have it. Our staff will confirm which steps are actually needed and send a quotation. Timing depends on government and embassy queues, so we do not quote fixed timelines.