Certified Thai Translation of Malaysian Documents

Jun 2

Short answer: Thai government offices work in Thai. A Malaysian document goes to Thailand with two translations: an English translation that is legalised in Malaysia with the document (Wisma Putra, then the Royal Thai Embassy), and a Thai translation that Thailand's Department of Consular Affairs (DCA) legalises. Thailand has no sworn-translator system: any translator may translate into Thai, signs a certification and attaches a copy of their ID, and the DCA checks the translation before it legalises it.

What we do: certified English translations of Malay documents that Wisma Putra accepts, and Thai translations prepared the way the DCA asks, with the certification line and the translator's ID copy. We also handle Wisma Putra and the Royal Thai Embassy. Our team is certified by ITBM, DBP and the Malaysian Translators Association and includes Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak High Court interpreters. Send your document on WhatsApp and tell us which Thai office asked for it.

Last reviewed: October 2026. For the legalisation chain, see legalising Malaysian documents for Thailand.

Two translations, two jobs

English, for the Malaysian side: the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur asks for the original English translation, certified as accurate, of any document that is not in English. It is attested at Wisma Putra together with the document and then legalised by the embassy.
Thai, for the Thai side: in Thailand, the DCA legalises the Thai translation of the legalised English set (200 baht per stamp, 2 working days). Offices such as district offices ask for exactly this: the foreign document translated into Thai and certified by the DCA.
A shortcut through Kota Bharu: the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Kota Bharu accepts translations into English or Thai, and the DCA accepts a Thai translation that already carries a Thai consulate's stamp.

Who may translate into Thai

Anyone, with safeguards: the DCA states that members of the public, institutions and translation companies may translate. Its officers check the translation and return it for correction if it is wrong.
The certification line: the translator signs "รับรองคำแปลถูกต้อง" on a translation into Thai, or "Certified Correct Translation" on a translation into English.
The ID rule: since 10 February 2026 the translator must attach a copy of a valid government-issued ID. Our Thai translations include it.
Names: names must be spelled exactly as in the latest passport.

The order

Certified English translation of the Malay document (if it is not already in English).
Wisma Putra attests the document and the English translation. Wisma Putra charges RM 20 for civil-status and notarised documents and RM 10 for certified translations, true copies and school certificates; see the legalisation fees tracker.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur legalises them: RM 60 per document, cash, about 2 working days.
The Thai translation is prepared and signed.
The DCA in Thailand legalises the Thai translation: 200 baht per stamp, 2 working days. Contracts and court documents cost 400 baht per page, and fees are not refundable.

Documents we translate for Thailand

Single status documents and birth certificates for marriage registration at a district office; see marriage and divorce certificate translation.
Birth and marriage certificates for dependant visas; see birth certificate translation.
Degrees and transcripts for work permits and teacher licences; see degree and transcript attestation.
SSM documents, resolutions and powers of attorney for Thai companies and the BOI.
Court orders and other legal documents.

Thai documents for use in Malaysia

Thai documents are translated into English, legalised by the DCA, then by the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and finally by Wisma Putra. Thai district offices now issue 30 civil-registration documents in English, which can save a translation. For JPN, the courts and schools, we translate Thai documents into English or Malay.

Our certified translations are covered by our guarantees: if an authority rejects a certified translation we prepared within 30 days of delivery, we re-do it free. Every document you send us, including for a quotation, is covered by our pre-signed client NDA.

Common questions

Can a Thai translation made in Malaysia be used in Thailand?

Yes. The DCA accepts translations from any translator, as long as the translator signs the certification and attaches an ID copy. The DCA then checks and legalises the translation.

Do I need both an English and a Thai translation?

Usually, yes. The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur legalises the document with an English translation, and most Thai government offices then want a Thai translation legalised by the DCA. We prepare both.

Is a Malay document accepted as it is?

Not at the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, which asks for an English translation. The consulate in Kota Bharu accepts translations into English or Thai.

How long does the DCA take?

Two working days for the normal service. Same-day express is limited to certain document types, so plan for two working days.

Related guides

Sources:

Zhihan Chew