Official Translator

[barryofthailand]

Does anyone know of an official translator, and an American notary in Pattaya?

Barry

[chuckd]

The only real Notary Public recognized by most US authorities is going to be the US Embassy. Be prepared to pay for their services. Some active duty Officers of the US Military have notarization powers but they will hardly ever assist civilians in these matters. Good luck in finding one.

I have had many documents translated by lawyer's offices and, as long as they place a stamp of some sort on it, I have had no trouble getting it certified by either the Thai MOFA or the US Embassy. I paid for that service at the US Embassy as well.

[Artisan]

There seem to be huge differences in the requirements of the US and the British Embassies in Bangkok. For example, prior to visiting the UK Embassy in Bangkok to apply for a British birth certificate and a British passport for my daughter, who was born in Sri Racha, I sent an e-mail to the Consular Section asking if they could be specific on the documents that I would need to bring with me. A reply came about 10 days later, after having gone via the UK.

The Consular Section Leader (Mrs. Karen Utimanon) replied with some detailed, and very welcome, information. I was told that, because I live in Pattaya and would find it difficult and inconvenient to visit a recognised Translation Service and Notary Public in Bangkok, it would be acceptable for me to have my daughter's Thai birth certificate translated by a professional friend here in Pattaya...........not necessarily a translation service. So, I prepared a template in Powerpoint, an exact copy of the Thai document and complete with the Garuda also. My wife has a friend who is a registered pharmacist (studied and qualified in the USA) and she inserted the English translation of the document in the appropriate places. I completed the template on my PC and had a laminated copy prepared. Very acceptable by the British Embassy.

If you ask the US Embassy if you can do the same, they might agree...hopefully. Good luck.

I wish the British Embassy would organise "surgeries" in Pattaya similar those run by the US Embassy. We can hope as there have been many changes in the British Embassy procedures in the last few years.......even to the proposed contracting out of some services to provincial agents in the future.

[chuckd]

There seem to be huge differences in the requirements of the US and the British Embassies in Bangkok...........If you ask the US Embassy if you can do the same, they might agree...hopefully. Good luck.

Artisan:

I feel you have probably already answered your own suggestion by saying there seem to be huge differences. While I commend your Embassy for being "user friendly", this is not a familiar term to a bureaucrat from the US State Department.

I feel Barryofthailand has two chances of your approach succeeding.....slim and none.

I will, however, repeat your "good luck" in case he tries to do it.

[Artisan]

I feel Barryofthailand has two chances of your approach succeeding.....slim and none.

Hi Chuck,

I'm sure that you're right about this. Maybe I caught the British Embassy on an 'off' day because they are normally very user-unfriendly too.....especially to the Brits. It costs nothing to try though. Keep us posted on this Barry. Thank you.

[mumbojumbo]

I have gotten official Thai-English translations from the YMCA. It has a blue stamp on it saying it is a certified translation-100-200 bt. i think For notary, US embassy charged me $55 for, but heard it is down some. If it is for official gov. business, can get free.

[icecubes]

I feel Barryofthailand has two chances of your approach succeeding.....slim and none.

.

Maybe I caught the British Embassy on an 'off' day because they are normally very user-unfriendly too.....especially to the Brits.

Love it

[Mister Doom]

I feel Barryofthailand has two chances of your approach succeeding.....slim and none.

.

Maybe I caught the British Embassy on an 'off' day because they are normally very user-unfriendly too.....especially to the Brits.

Love it

Off thread (ie Ameriacn Embasssy), but what the H.ll

I once needed the notary at the British Embassy to notarise an affidavit for my UK divorce. Checked the web site for 'notary opening hours', went slap bang in the middle of the correct time slot; was told:

"sorry.. he's out. Come back tomorrow."

"Bbbbbut he can't bbeee. This is the British Embassy, these are his official working hours. Where's he gone?"

"Sorry... can't tell you. Come back tomorrow."

"BBBBut I've just travelled five days and five nights to get here, and I have the landrover waiting outside to whisk me back up - country."

"Sorry.. Come back tomorrow."

TIT (even for the bloody Brits)

I'm doomed, I tell you!

[oda561]

The only real Notary Public recognized by most US authorities is going to be the US Embassy. Be prepared to pay for their services. Some active duty Officers of the US Military have notarization powers but they will hardly ever assist civilians in these matters. Good luck in finding one.

I have had many documents translated by lawyer's offices and, as long as they place a stamp of some sort on it, I have had no trouble getting it certified by either the Thai MOFA or the US Embassy. I paid for that service at the US Embassy as well.

Well, this will all change as soon as I get to Pattaya, I am a Notary with the State of Florida. I have done Notarials for people in AUS, and other areas also for mortgages etc. So I know my SEAL is GOOD. And yes the Embassies charge LOTS of money! Florida State law says maximum charge is $10 USD. Be in Pattaya by mid July.

Dick

[DUMPSTER]

I have gotten official Thai-English translations from the YMCA. It has a blue stamp on it saying it is a certified translation-100-200 bt.

Any language/translation center can get those stamps made. Doesnt mean much but they are accepted by embassies. We have translated many documents at my center. As long as the center is certified you should have no problems and even if it is not I doubt you will encounter many problems. There doesnt appear to be any formal regulations with regards to translations as far as I can see and I do have friends working in embassies who tell me the same thing. A translation with a stamp is fine.

[Dragonman]

There is no Notary Public in Thailand, and under Thai Law only documents originating in a foreign country need notarization according to the laws of that Country.

Hey oda561 I didn't think there were many things Florida Notaries could certify after taking into account Chapter 117 of Florida Statutes

[barryofthailand]

Thanks for all the coments guys, but i'm afraid you were no help. The translation and notary I need is for a document from the states, and i'm afraid that i will have to make the trip to bangkok to get this done. Again thanks for all your help.

Barry

[chuckd]

The only real Notary Public recognized by most US authorities is going to be the US Embassy. Be prepared to pay for their services. Some active duty Officers of the US Military have notarization powers but they will hardly ever assist civilians in these matters. Good luck in finding one.

I have had many documents translated by lawyer's offices and, as long as they place a stamp of some sort on it, I have had no trouble getting it certified by either the Thai MOFA or the US Embassy. I paid for that service at the US Embassy as well.

Well, this will all change as soon as I get to Pattaya, I am a Notary with the State of Florida. I have done Notarials for people in AUS, and other areas also for mortgages etc. So I know my SEAL is GOOD. And yes the Embassies charge LOTS of money! Florida State law says maximum charge is $10 USD. Be in Pattaya by mid July.

Dick

Oda:

I hope you are right but when I was a notary in the State of Texas, my notarial powers ceased outside the confines of the state. I guess they would have never known whether I notarized documents inside or outside Texas, so I guess you will be OK.

You might want to check with the US Embassy and see if they will accept your authority before you do anything that might have an impact on somebody, though.

Chok Dee, as they say.

[Dragonman]

The only real Notary Public recognized by most US authorities is going to be the US Embassy. Be prepared to pay for their services. Some active duty Officers of the US Military have notarization powers but they will hardly ever assist civilians in these matters. Good luck in finding one.

I have had many documents translated by lawyer's offices and, as long as they place a stamp of some sort on it, I have had no trouble getting it certified by either the Thai MOFA or the US Embassy. I paid for that service at the US Embassy as well.

Well, this will all change as soon as I get to Pattaya, I am a Notary with the State of Florida. I have done Notarials for people in AUS, and other areas also for mortgages etc. So I know my SEAL is GOOD. And yes the Embassies charge LOTS of money! Florida State law says maximum charge is $10 USD. Be in Pattaya by mid July.

Dick

Oda:

I hope you are right but when I was a notary in the State of Texas, my notarial powers ceased outside the confines of the state. I guess they would have never known whether I notarized documents inside or outside Texas, so I guess you will be OK.

You might want to check with the US Embassy and see if they will accept your authority before you do anything that might have an impact on somebody, though.

Chok Dee, as they say.

I think you are correct. From my understanding only Civil- law Notaries have authority outside the State.