Thailand Joined the Apostille Convention: What Changes for Malaysian Documents

Oct 14

Short answer: nothing changes for Malaysian documents. Thailand deposited its accession to the Hague Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026, and the Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. An apostille only works between two member countries. Malaysia is not a member, so documents moving between Malaysia and Thailand still go through full legalisation.

We handle the whole chain for Thailand. We translate between Thai, English and Malay and take your documents through Wisma Putra and the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Send your document on WhatsApp for a quote.

What happened

30 June 2026: Thailand deposited its instrument of accession with the Netherlands, the Convention's depositary, bringing the Convention to 130 Contracting Parties (HCCH).
28 February 2027: the Convention enters into force for Thailand. That date is the end of a six-month window in which existing members may object, plus 60 days (Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Who issues Thai apostilles: the Department of Consular Affairs of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Malaysian documents going to Thailand: still four steps

Translate the document into English if it is in Malay, Chinese, Arabic or another language.
Attest the original (or a certified copy) and the certified English translation at Wisma Putra, Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Legalise them at the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur: RM 60 per document, cash only, about 2 working days (Royal Thai Embassy). The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Kota Bharu also legalises Malaysian documents.
Have them legalised again by Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs once they are in Thailand.

Thai documents coming to Malaysia: also unchanged

Thai documents for JPN, Immigration or a Malaysian court still need an English translation, legalisation by Thailand's Department of Consular Affairs, then the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, then Wisma Putra (Royal Thai Embassy). A Thai apostille will not be enough in Malaysia, because Malaysia is not a member.

Who does benefit

From 28 February 2027, Thai documents going to other member countries, such as Singapore, Japan, Australia or the United Kingdom, can be apostilled by the Department of Consular Affairs instead of going through that country's embassy. Apostilled documents from those countries will be accepted in Thailand the same way, except with any member that objects to Thailand's accession before the window closes. If you hold Thai documents for a third country, check whether it is a member on the HCCH status table.

Could Malaysia join?

Malaysia has not announced plans to join the Apostille Convention. If it does, we will update this page. Until then, plan for the full legalisation chain and allow about a week in Malaysia, plus processing time in Thailand.

Need documents for Thailand?

Our Thai translation and legalisation guide lists what to bring and how long each step takes, in both directions. Or send us your document on WhatsApp (+60 17-227 9378) and we will tell you exactly what it needs.

Related guides

Sources:

Zhihan Chew