Getting the death certificate of an deceased American translated into English.

[khaepmu]

When an American passes away and the Thai spouse get the death certificate and takes it to the American Embassy in Bangkok a translation into English is necessary. What are the Embassy's requirements for the English translation. Do they accept any translation or only translations from Embassy approved translation agencies. In this case, the translation would have to be notarized  by the embassy in order for the spouse  to claim the assets left her by the American husband in a"Trasnfer on Death" account in the USA.

[ubonjoe]

Any translation service could be used. The embassy does not have a list of approved translation services. 

They do have a list of recommended ones that are near the embassy. http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/231771/acs/translators_internet_service_photographers.pdf

This is what they have on their website for the report of a death. 

"An English translation of the Thai death certificate, certified by a professional translator (Note: Most funeral homes in Thailand include the cost of translation in their service packages.)"

Source: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/death-of-a-u-s-citizen/

 

[BTempleman]

The next of kin should ask the amphoe if they provide a death certificate in English. Some do. 

[NancyL]

In Chiang Mai, Star Visa Service just down the street from the U.S. Consul-General is an excellent source for translation of Thai death certificates.  Takes them just a few hours and a couple hundred baht.  

[JimGant]

On 3/20/2021 at 4:25 PM, khaepmu said:

In this case, the translation would have to be notarized  by the embassy in order for the spouse  to claim the assets left her by the American husband in a"Trasnfer on Death" account in the USA.

The embassy issues the equivalent of a US death certificate (20 certified copies for free), which is quite official and thus suitable for settling life insurance claims, Pay on Death/Transfer on Death claims, etc.

 

Quote

Consular Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad (A maximum of 20 copies are provided free-of-charge; additional certified copies may be ordered from the Department of State for a fee.)