Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chang Wattana - queue times and limits?

[lasttome2]

Can somebody please tell me if there is a daily limit for the 3rd floor notorization service (Minsistry of Foreign Affairs Bangkok) and if there are time limits for getting in the queue?

I need to get a copy of a Thai marriage certificate notorized/authenticated (by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Chang Wattana) for the Malaysian Embassy and am travelling from Hua Hin so it takes time to get there.

From the web it appears that they are open from about 8 am to 2:30 pm (but I have heard stories that people must get there before 8 if they want to get in the queue) and/or get same day processing of documents.

All information is much appreciated.

[Mario2008]

If you want same day service, arrive before 12:00 hours.

If you do not need same day service, for 65 baht they will send the document to your home address. Cost only half of same day service even.

You will also need a translation, and I am certain the translation agency will take care certifying by the Thai MFA and maybe the Malaysian Embassy for you (for a price of course).

[lasttome2]

If you want same day service, arrive before 12:00 hours.

If you do not need same day service, for 65 baht they will send the document to your home address. Cost only half of same day service even.

You will also need a translation, and I am certain the translation agency will take care certifying by the Thai MFA and maybe the Malaysian Embassy for you (for a price of course).

Thank you!

Just one more question, is there some magic 30 queue number as somebody went there recently and was told that after 30 they stop issuing numbers and one must come back?

[Mario2008]

Never heard of there being a limit number available per day.

[lasttome2]

Never heard of there being a limit number available per day.

Was there today and they have a 30 ticket limit for the same day express service. There are printed signs all around the place (it is a new system though).

The place opens around 7 am, but the 3rd floor opens at 8 am. A queue starts to form as soon as the main doors open. When the 3rd floor opens it is like a mad rush up the stairs and to the ticket counters (no queues are respected). By about 8:30 am the 30 limit for the day for the express system is maxed out, but people can still apply for the 3 day service (that does not have a 30 ticket limit).

If you want the express service, get there around 7 and be at the front of the lines outside the 3rd floor's gate. Then be prepared to run up and push in front - make sure you utilize the form that is handed out around 7.40 am (without that complete you will not get a queue ticket number).

The express service is counter 12 (it is in the room behind the closed doors - not intially obvious). The number will be called for about a minute (if you miss it you must get a new queue number)!

After that, you then meet a man or a woman who will sign on your form and then you go outside and wait for the same number to be called at the normal counters. Give your documents at that counter and then come back about 3 hours later and collect it (they might give it out sooner - but I did not wait as was told the rough processing time and that one can leave and come back before 4 pm to collect).

Hope this helps.

[Mario2008]

Thanks for the report. Very helpful for others to know there is now indeed a limited for getting same day service.