Notary Public or Solicitor?

[DICKYBOY]

Any information on the above would be very welcome. I am going over to retire to my house in Nov, me on a O-A and the wife on a O visa. All the relevant paperwork has now been done and is ready to go, however, it was stated on the Thai Embassy site that the Financial Statement, Criminal Record check and the Medical Certificate was to be signed by a Notary Public(NP). is it possible for a solicitor to undertake this as signing a true copy. Don't fully understand why the Polce Record Check and Medical Certificate has to be signed by anyone when already signed by a GP or Police Dept Officer. Furthermore why can't a Bank Manager sign your financial statement? Anyway, help by anyone who knows the answer, or who has already undertaken any of the above would be great, obviously the difference in payment to a Notary or a Solicitor is vastly different, so if a saving can be made all the better.

Thanks in anticipation of your advice.........................................

[Expattaff1308]

You need a Notary Public, many Solicitors offer this service.

[OJAS]

Yes, you will definitely need a Notary Public and not any old solicitor. If you are a Brit you can obtain details of notaries public near you from the Notaries Society website at http://www.thenotariessociety.org.uk/

[DICKYBOY]

Thanks for the feed back guys. Will a Certified copy signed by a NP be sufficent or must each copy be Notarised independently as the cost differs dramatically. Once again, many thanks for any advice..............

[SheungWan]

The London Thai embassy will accept certification by a solicitor.

[jacksam]

This is the problem with consulates and embassies. The requirements are never clear. One consulate from reply above will allow solicitor to certify, another my not.

Just recently I was refused non imm O in Melbourne. Their own web site mentions can be obtained based on over 50 and visiting friend. Their reply " no we only issued for spouse or family" !! Mine field.

[TerryLH]

I think it's been several years since they stopped issuing Non O's to visit friends.

OP, why not avoid the cost and hassle and just get a Non O?

You'd get a 90 day entry and can extend that easily at an immigration office for a year for 1900 baht.

No medical or police reports needed.

The finacials can be met by a bank deposit ina Thai bank or a letter from your embassy if using income.

[jacksam]

Shortly I'm applying for O-A in Australia as have to visit.

Thai consulate advise me I can use a JP to certify docs.

This service is free in AU.

letter from bank is same requirement for non imm O .

The police check is a simple form can even be done online. $45au. Medical check involves strolling into quack and getting very basic form signed. Quack won't physically examine you.

Having said all that I'm not really sure how I would answer the question....." What are advantages of O A over an O visa

[theprolink]

Notary public will be the best option to chose in this case, that will be helpful in making the process more clear.

[GuyDow]

Post #7 hit the nail on the the head.

Extending a visa when you're in Thailand is very straightforward.

[jacksam]

Has to be bound. Medical certificate must be stamped and JP can certify