Medical records and treatment history — what should you know about the translation and legalisation sequence for overseas use?

The scope of this answer is “Medical records and treatment history”, so the answer below starts with what this case actually needs before setting out the general rules. The specifics here are document type: Records, and those decide which translation and certification level applies. The terms that frame this page are Medical · records · treatment · history. The deciding factor is the receiving body's requirement, not only the format of the Thai-side document. Check first whether the issuing office of the source document is one the destination recognises. Before starting, verify the source document is still within any validity window the recipient applies, then count the number of certified sets needed before work starts, because extra sets restart the certification steps, then confirm with the receiving body whether it wants an original, a certified copy or a certified translation. When several certification layers are required, start with the slowest one. Plan the schedule with room for at least one review cycle at the receiving office. Record the reference number of each certification layer; it is the fastest way to trace status. Keep a copy of every source document plus the receipt or docket from each step. The next step is confirming the filing channel and the copy or file format required. A Thai-issued medical document intended for a foreign authority normally follows this order: obtain the original from the facility, have it translated by a translator the destination accepts, certify the translation at the Legalisation Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then obtain the destination embassy's attestation where required. Each step verifies only what falls within its own authority. Thailand deposited its instrument of accession to the Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026, but the Convention is not yet in force for Thailand. In practice the traditional route through the Department of Consular Affairs and the destination embassy still applies until entry into force is formally announced. For Australia, government agencies and courts require non-English documents to be accompanied by a translation from a NAATI-certified translator; the translation carries the stamp, practitioner number and certification expiry on its face. ILC handles document work only — translation, certification of the translation, notarial signature certification and the legalisation run at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassies. ILC is not a medical facility or an insurer, gives no clinical advice, and cannot guarantee any authority's decision. Cost and lead time depend on page count, the density of clinical terminology, the target language and the certification steps required, so every file is quoted before work starts. Send scans of the medical paperwork together with the written requirements from the hospital, insurer or receiving authority via LINE @NAATI, call +66 80-557-8887 or email ilc@thainotary.co.th.

ปรึกษาฟรี — LINE @NAATI · โทร 080-5578887 · อีเมล ilc@thainotary.co.th