Why a certified true copy is non-negotiable for international paperwork
Visa officers, university admission committees and overseas banks cannot keep your original passport, degree or marriage certificate. Yet they need legal proof that the photocopy in their file is identical to the original they will never see. That proof is the certified true copy — a photocopy attested by a person whose signature governments recognise: a Notarial Services Attorney. In Thailand this role is regulated by the Lawyers Council of Thailand (Notarial Services Attorney Regulation B.E. 2547). Without this attestation, a photocopy is just paper. With it, the copy carries the same legal weight as the original for the receiving institution.
What our certified true copy looks like
Every page of the copy bears a bilingual stamp reading 'Certified true copy of the original document seen by me' / 'รับรองสำเนาถูกต้องตามต้นฉบับ', the Attorney's wet signature in blue ink, an embossed seal that leaves a tactile mark visible under raking light, the Attorney's licence number issued by the Lawyers Council of Thailand, and the date. Multi-page documents are bound with a Notary ribbon and seal so pages cannot be substituted. Each set is logged in our register with a sequential reference number — embassies can call to verify authenticity.
Embassy-specific acceptance notes (Bangkok)
Australian Embassy (Wireless Road): accepts our certified copies for partner, skilled, student and visitor visas; no further legalisation needed when the copy is filed with the visa application. UK Embassy (Wireless Road): UKVI accepts the copy directly for visa categories; for documents to be used inside the UK after arrival (e.g. opening accounts), additionally apostille via MFA is recommended. US Embassy (Wireless Road): accepts certified copies for IV/NIV petitions; USCIS prefers the bilingual format we use. Schengen embassies (German, French, Italian, Dutch, Spanish): require MFA legalisation in addition — we Bundle this. Chinese and Indian embassies: require MFA + embassy stamp; Bundle takes 4–6 business days.
Bundle pricing — true copy plus downstream legalisation
Most clients need more than just the copy. The cost-effective path is to Bundle the certified true copy with downstream services in one visit: True Copy → Notary attestation → MFA legalisation → destination embassy stamp. Bundling saves 40–60% versus doing each step separately at different offices and shortens turnaround from 3–4 weeks to 5–8 business days. A typical Bundle for an Australian partner-visa packet (4 documents) runs ฿14,800 all-in, including MFA fees and DHL return to Australia.
