Laboratory and imaging results — what should you know about the translation and legalisation sequence for overseas use?

The scope of this answer is “Laboratory and imaging results”, so it flags what usually causes documents like this to be rejected before summarising the general practice. Before starting, keep a digital copy of every page, including seals and signatures, then 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. The condition most often overlooked is that name spelling must match across every document in the set. A key variable is the filing channel (in person, agent or online), which sets the copy format to prepare. The terms that frame this page are Laboratory · imaging · results · know. The specifics here are document type: Lab, and those decide which translation and certification level applies. Once the set is complete, check it line by line against the destination's own checklist before filing. Note who signed each certification and on what date for later reference. If the receiving body confirmed its requirements by email, keep that message with the file. If multiple certified sets are needed, order them all in the first round to avoid re-queuing. Documents with a short validity window should be produced as close to the filing date as possible. 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