Public notary service for Form 1583 – U.S. Postal requirement to Thailand

[WorriedNoodle]

Please excuse my ignorance of such matters, but a mail forwarding (USA to Thailand) agent in US requires I complete a US Post Form 1583 for letters and get it publicly notarized.

* How do I publicly notarize it in Bangkok? Can someone explain where, how long it takes and cost estimate please?

I am not a US citizen and will use my passport and Thai drivers lic as ID - proof of address in Thailand. The drivers license is only written in Thai, not sure if that is a problem?

[NancyL]

The mail forwarding company you've selected should be able to provide some guidance. A simple google search revealed this from one mail forwarding company: http://www.virtualpostmail.com/ps/308/usps-form-1583-in-5-minutes

You may have to provide some other "proof" of your address in English, in addition to your Thai drivers license. They may actually require a certified translations of your TDL or perhaps would settle for something like a bill that shows your address in Thai. Why not email the mail forwarding company and ask them this question?

That's what I've done when I've helped people to set up mail forwarding services from here. These companies are very helpful and if they aren't, then there are many others providing a similar service.

[ubonjoe]

You could get it notarized at the US embassy. From: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/notarial-services.html

"Foreign nationals may also have documents notarized, but only if the documents will be used in the United States."

It will cost you $50 dollars or 1650 baht. You will need to make an appointment.

[WorriedNoodle]

Thanks guys. Before I try the US embassy, I note on NancyL's link (copied below) it says banks do this also?

* Does anyone have any experience of Kasikorn Bank providing such a service? I am sure it would be faster/cheaper than embassy if they did?

International/Non-US Residents

If you live overseas, you may have difficulty finding a notary. Banks normally provide notary service as well as embassies. US and Non-US notary seals are accepted. If this is not possible, you can also go through a lawyer or a bank official who can sign or stamp an official seal on the form. Government seals are also acceptable.

[ubonjoe]

That appears to be a general worldwide statement you posted.

Notary service are provided by lawyers here. Whether the USPS will accept them or not is unknown to me.

The US embassy may seem costly but their stamp would certainly be accepted. You would be in and out in a short period of time there.

[Smokin Joe]

It wouldn't be valid. A foreign notary MIGHT be acceptable if it was by a Notary Public so maybe being notarised by your embassy would be OK. Thailand does not have Notary Public's (i.e. acting as a govt representative). Thai lawyers do notaries but they have no validity outside Thailand. They are not Notary Publics despite what they might say and advertise.

I looked at the link that you checked. Keep in mind that that is just the website of a business, it's not anything official. It seems like like they would readily accept any notary at all whether it was valid or not.

If it is just an issue of saving money, your mail forwarding service may accept a bogus notary also if you can get one done cheap. That form is just for their use as required by US Postal Regulations to verify the identity of anyone who they act as an agent for..

[WorriedNoodle]

Really appreciate the responses guys. You've convinced me to get it done at the US embassy, I'll get an appointment.

Thanks for all your time and help. Hope others find this info useful as well.

[Langsuan Man]

I had to have it done here because the mail forwarder I used lost the original I mailed them in the US and time was of the essence

Expensive @ $79 but considering the PITA of going to the Embassy in Bangkok, the extra $29 was worth it

https://www.notarycam.com/

[ubonjoe]

I had to have it done here because the mail forwarder I used lost the original I mailed them in the US and time was of the essence

Expensive @ $79 but considering the PITA of going to the Embassy in Bangkok, the extra $29 was worth it

https://www.notarycam.com/

I am not sure it would be worth the extra $29 it he lives in Bangkok.

Not sure why but the link does not work correctly even after pasting it in from the website. Just copy and paste it into the browser.

[nzexpat]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I had to have it done here because the mail forwarder I used lost the original I mailed them in the US and time was of the essence

Expensive @ $79 but considering the PITA of going to the Embassy in Bangkok, the extra $29 was worth it

https://www.notarycam.com/

I am not sure it would be worth the extra $29 it he lives in Bangkok.

Not sure why but the link does not work correctly even after pasting it in from the website. Just copy and paste it into the browser.

The link is corrupt !

This one works

https://www.notarycam.com/international/

[paz]

Really appreciate the responses guys. You've convinced me to get it done at the US embassy, I'll get an appointment.

The US embassy may not do the service because you're not an US citizen, however the it has to be used in the US, so just ask before.

In the past I used an online US notary while being in Thailand. Cheap, and it worked perfectly for the purpose.

[ubonjoe]

Really appreciate the responses guys. You've convinced me to get it done at the US embassy, I'll get an appointment.

The US embassy may not do the service because you're not an US citizen, however the it has to be used in the US, so just ask before.

In the past I used an online US notary while being in Thailand. Cheap, and it worked perfectly for the purpose.

There no if and or maybe they will do it. From my earlier post from the embassy webpage I posted a link to.

"Foreign nationals may also have documents notarized, but only if the documents will be used in the United States."

[BKKSnowBird]

Notary cam! I learn something new everyday!

[wayned]

The embassy website allows foreign nationals to make appointments on line. Here's the link: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/acsappointment.html

[paz]

Notary cam! I learn something new everyday!

It is not accepted by all gov.t offices, but it is by private parties. The seal doesn't show "notary cam", they are registered notary public seals.

[Langsuan Man]

Well I am positive that it is accepted by the US Postal Service or I wouldn't be getting forwarded mail

[thedemon]

Are you sure you need to have the Form 1583 notarized? I have an account with Shipito and there are several ways to reach a sufficient level of account verification to start using the service, I never did get the notarization done and have made many consolidated shipments now both to myself and to others in other countries and they have never said no to any special requests.

It seems that after a few problem-free shipments they're satisfied that you are who you say you are,

EDIT: Forgot to add that I didn't need to have the utility bills translated from Thai.

[Langsuan Man]

Every re-mailer has their own policies. I have a letter remailer who insists on the 1583 but Shipito just uses it to give you more qualifying points toward you proof requirement. Go by what your remailer requires

[Maestro]

I am moving this topic from the forum "Thai visas, residency and work permits" to the forum "General topics"

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Every re-mailer has their own policies. I have a letter remailer who insists on the 1583 but Shipito just uses it to give you more qualifying points toward you proof requirement. Go by what your remailer requires

Re USPS Form 1583, that's a U.S. Postal Service form that you need to have notarized IF you're designating some private business to handle your USPS mail.

Shipito may not require the 1583 in all cases because, they're mainly a package shipper who handles incoming packages from various sources, including FedEx, UPS, etc.