Thailand deposited its instrument of accession at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 30 June 2026. The Convention will apply to Thailand from 28 February 2027, unless another Contracting Party objects during the objection period. Until then, foreign documents for use in Thailand still require consular legalization.
Who it affects
Expats, retirees, teachers and businesses sending U.S. documents (FBI checks, degrees, marriage records, corporate papers) to Thailand, and Thai nationals using documents abroad.
What changes in practice
- From 28 February 2027, an apostille will replace Thai embassy legalization for documents from Convention states.
- Documents needed in Thailand before that date must still go through the legalization chain.
- Vietnam has already announced it will keep legalizing Thai documents until the Thai entry-into-force date.
Source: HCCH.
