Us Embassy Won't Certify Documents?

[cathyy]

My husband and I have now run into this problem twice: we need to have a Thai translation of a US document legalized at the Thai Foreign Ministry. The Thai Legalization office insists that the document in English be signed, stamped, or otherwise certified by the US Embassy before they will stamp the Thai translation. The US Embassy will not do this, effective a few months ago. They gave me a pre-printed document that outlines a 6-step process which includes having the document notarized in the US, having the county clerk certify that the notary is valid, having the State government authenticate the document, having the US State Departmentauthenticate the document, and then finally having the US Embassy certify the document. All of this by MAIL from Thailand?

The solution that the Embassy official gave us was to swear an affidavit of the information on the US document (i.e. our marriage license) and he insisted that Immigration would accept this document in lieu of a translated marriage license. We'll try it, but that's not what the Immigration Officer told me he wanted to see. Anybody have any experience with this?

[Tywais]

Does that mean this information found on the US Embassy/Bangkok website is no longer valid? Doesn't make since that you would have to jump through hoops just for a oath/witness signature. What about asking for just a signature certification. I've done that but that was many months ago and they stamp it with the embassy stamp. I'm also sure I will need to do it again sometime in the future as are many expats here.

Also might try contacting them with e-mail to verify it. [email protected]

"Consular Officers perform notary services customarily provided by Notaries Public in the U.S. Persons requiring such services should visit the Consular Section during regular office hours. Please note that a consular officer cannot witness a will. Note also that a consular officer cannot certify that documents are valid or that statements made are true. He or she can attest only to the oath taken by the person making the statements or presenting the documents."

[BKK90210]

Yes it's true about the order of the authentication of any english documents using in thailand. I just had all my documents authenticated by the thai embassy in Los Angeles last week. I'm still in the US though, and applying for both Visa-O and work permit clearance letter at the same time, so mine was a stack full of doc, the thai embassy thought there're adoption papers.

This is from my experience and was told by the thai embassy to do so ahead of time.

Step 1 - have them notarized by the notary public - about $5 each doc

Step 2 - have them notarized by the Secretary of State - the state where the documents originated from - - about $15-20 each doc

Step 3- then send everything to the thai embassy for notarization. - - $15 each doc

Anything that need the thai translation (such as marriage license), you have 2 option

If you're still in the US - need to do step 1 & 2, then do a thai translation, then it must be notarized by the thai embassy.

If you're in thailand - you're still required to have the step 1-3 done first, before any thai translation can be approved by the MFA

[LaReina]

So then what you might need then is an "apostille"? This is the high court in whatever state you were married in notarizing your marriage certificate and saying it is real.

Costs $20, and you can do it by mail.

HOWEVER, if they lose your original marriage certificate you can never get another original (ie lost in the mail) may I suggest you write the county clerk where you were married and order a couple of copies (most likely $5.00 each) and have them sent to a relative. Then have the relative send in the apostille for you (using one of your new copies), and then send the apostille to you for the next step.

The apostille takes only a week.

[Vespa]

My husband and I have now run into this problem twice: we need to have a Thai translation of a US document legalized at the Thai Foreign Ministry. The Thai Legalization office insists that the document in English be signed, stamped, or otherwise certified by the US Embassy before they will stamp the Thai translation. The US Embassy will not do this, effective a few months ago. They gave me a pre-printed document that outlines a 6-step process which includes having the document notarized in the US, having the county clerk certify that the notary is valid, having the State government authenticate the document, having the US State Departmentauthenticate the document, and then finally having the US Embassy certify the document. All of this by MAIL from Thailand?

The solution that the Embassy official gave us was to swear an affidavit of the information on the US document (i.e. our marriage license) and he insisted that Immigration would accept this document in lieu of a translated marriage license. We'll try it, but that's not what the Immigration Officer told me he wanted to see. Anybody have any experience with this?

What exactly are you using this document for ?

[vinny]

Does that mean this information found on the US Embassy/Bangkok website is no longer valid? Doesn't make since that you would have to jump through hoops just for a oath/witness signature. What about asking for just a signature certification. I've done that but that was many months ago and they stamp it with the embassy stamp. I'm also sure I will need to do it again sometime in the future as are many expats here.

Also might try contacting them with e-mail to verify it. [email protected]

"Consular Officers perform notary services customarily provided by Notaries Public in the U.S. Persons requiring such services should visit the Consular Section during regular office hours. Please note that a consular officer cannot witness a will. Note also that a consular officer cannot certify that documents are valid or that statements made are true. He or she can attest only to the oath taken by the person making the statements or presenting the documents."

See also Authentication of Vital Records, Academic, Commercial or Other Credentials Issued in the U.S. and Office of Authentications.

[digitele]

The solution that the Embassy official gave us was to swear an affidavit of the information on the US document (i.e. our marriage license) and he insisted that Immigration would accept this document in lieu of a translated marriage license. We'll try it, but that's not what the Immigration Officer told me he wanted to see. Anybody have any experience with this?

Yes it's true. My wife and I were married in the US. She is naturalized US citizen (Thai at Birth)

She got her Thai ID card after being MIA for 25 years. So we went to embassy to cerity 2 things:

Our marriage - stating I was single when I married her and that I have no other wife. The consular

said the problem is with the Thai side. I had them certify a statement that I swear to these facts.

Then I went across the street to a translation place and they translated it and said it has to by certified by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I passed on that and submitted it anyway. It worked.

Just be cool with Immigration (which branch?) and you should be good to go.

Good luck. Let me know how it works out

[cathyy]

So we went to embassy to cerity 2 things:

Our marriage - stating I was single when I married her and that I have no other wife. The consular

said the problem is with the Thai side. I had them certify a statement that I swear to these facts.

Then I went across the street to a translation place and they translated it and said it has to by certified by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I passed on that and submitted it anyway. It worked.

Interesting, and thanks! It sounds like it might work out after all. I just got my retirement visa today with no problem. The Immigration people at Korat are actually very helpful! What we need the marriage license for is my husband's dependent visa. (see my thread about Korat doing extensions in the correct forum, I goofed posting this here) We have a US certified true copy. We have a Thai translation of it, not stamped by the Foreign Ministry because they wouldn't. We have an affidavit by me from the US Embassy swearing we are married, and when and where in the US. Do I need a Thai translation of the affidavit??

[digitele]

We have an affidavit by me from the US Embassy swearing we are married, and when and where in the US. Do I need a Thai translation of the affidavit??

Yes, it makes it easier for them and it's cheap. I did the same thing, you'll be fine.

Regards