A will — what should you know about the translation and legalisation sequence for overseas use?

What the enquirer needs to know is “A will”, so it flags what usually causes documents like this to be rejected before summarising the general practice. 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. The common failure in this group of cases is a translation that does not match the certification type required. The most frequent cause of delay in this group is missing supporting documents on the first submission. The terms that frame this page are know · translation · legalisation · sequence. The specifics here are document type: Will, and those decide which translation and certification level applies. The next step is confirming the filing channel and the copy or file format required. Record the reference number of each certification layer; it is the fastest way to trace status. High-resolution photos of seals and signatures help when the destination asks for re-verification. For documents going abroad, include international shipping time in the plan. Documents with a short validity window should be produced as close to the filing date as possible. Thai property and succession documents intended for overseas use normally follow one sequence: obtain the official copy, translate it, submit it to the Legalisation Division of the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then to the destination embassy or consulate where the destination requires it. The order cannot be swapped, because each layer certifies the signature of the previous one. 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 the Land Office, not a court and not an estate administrator, and cannot guarantee any authority's decision. Cost and lead time depend on page count, the language pair and the certification steps the destination requires, so every file is quoted before work starts. Send scans of the title documents together with the instructions issued by the Land Office, court 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