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Can I translate my own documents for a Thai visa application instead of paying high fees for professional translation?
Visa ApplicationDocument TranslationThailand ImmigrationExpat AdviceTranslation ServicesCost of Living in VietnamLegal Requirements for DocumentsSelf-Translation
Jun 24, 2025
10 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERI am applying from Vietnam and I was asked to translate my documents. I went to 2 translations office and they both told me very high prices (115€ for what I need). But the guy that I talked to told me it’s very common for this type of demand that I translate the document myself and they just put their stamp on it. I’m a bit scared, what do you guys think ?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is considering translating their own documents for a Thai visa application after receiving high quotes from translation offices in Vietnam. Comments suggest that self-translation is feasible, particularly for less formal documents, as long as they appear reasonable. Some users have successfully used online tools like Google Translate or ChatGPT for translations that were accepted by Thai authorities, while others emphasize the importance of knowing the specific requirements from the embassy regarding certification.
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Carl *******
You can use protranslate. They are both certified and give you a stamp... was about €30 per page. You usually get them back really fast.
Guillermo *********
Depending on what document it is they might need more formalities. I sent my marriage certificate and Thailand does not participate in the Apostille accord. They told me it was fine to just translate it myself and sent it to them. This was Saigon that i asked about this and they told me it did not need to be notarized / formally translated either. By the tone of the agent i dont think they care much if you of course send them something reasonable. I sent the document with the apostille certification and it was approved no documents asked. Thought eventhough the translation was not there it would be more formal to have the seal/certification and they did not care at hanoi. Hope this helps 🙏
Siggi *******
Every bank in Europe gives you bank statement in english, normály you can print out or apply and send send to you by email. And there is no need in in translation to vitnamese, English is enough
Mo ******
Use ChatGPT or Google translate or deepL and you are good
Tammi *****
Which embassy and which document did they ask you to translate?
Mercy *********
Use Chat GPT. Easy, quick, free, and more accurate than Google Translate.
Dnatjugweme ************
@Mercy ********
Does ChatGPT certify translations with a wet stamp as well?Jonas *************
@Dnatjugweme ***********
I'm not sure if there are any certification of translators?At least in Thailand that seems to be an interesting question.
Dnatjugweme ************
@Jonas ************
Different in every country. In some countries, the translators work with a notary and they do need a degree for that. In others, there are sworn translators (authorized by a government body or court and their translations are officially recognized and carry legal weight). AFAIK, in Thailand, there is no such thing. Embassies usually certify translations, I think, and they have a list of recognized/accredited translators.Reply to
Dnatjugweme ************
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mercy ********
Have you ever done it for dtv ?Mercy *********
Anonymous participant Not for DTV specifically, but for other important documentation I've needed to submit in Thailand.
Reply to
Mercy *********
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Dnatjugweme ************
You translate and they stamp your translation?!? WTF?
Dnatjugweme ************
115 € for all documents? How many and which documents exactly?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dnatjugweme ***********
I have my bank history from 6 months which is 12 pages and another document 1 page. I was asked 270.000 VND / page because they have to translate from french to viet, then viet to english. I visited another shop and the process was the same, they asked me for 230.000 VND / pageAnonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERIt's all the payment I had in each one of my accounts. Downloaded directly on "credit agricole" website. That's the only document I can find
Dnatjugweme ************
Participant(e) anonyme Is it a "relevé de compte"?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dnatjugweme ***********
It's "historique de mes déclarations" (idk if we can speak french in here, since I think you are french too). That's the only thing I can do by myself. I asked for "relevé de compte" to my bank agent but they kept giving me the wrong thing and that p*ssed me off so I just tried with "historique de mes déclarations", is it not goot ?Dnatjugweme ************
Participant(e) anonyme Tu fais ta demande à Ho Chi Minh ?
@Georges ****
dit qu'on lui a demandé des traductions officielles, qu'il les a faites lui-même et que c'est passé quand même...Georges *****
Participant(e) anonyme you can use the app from credit agricol to get your "relevé de compte"
Dnatjugweme ************
Participant(e) anonyme Je pense qu'on peut parler en français oui. Essaie d'obtenir des relevés de compte, ça doit être très simple. Pour la bonne et simple raison que la banque en produit nécessairement (c'est une obligation légale je pense même) selon une périodicité convenue en avance (généralement mensuellement). Ils doivent être dans ton espace de online banking. Il faut juste que tu les trouves. J'ai trouvé ça sur le site du Crédit agricole.
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Georges *****
Participant(e) anonyme j'ai traduis tout par moi-même il y a une dizaine de jours à HCM et aucun problème ☺️
Georges *****
Ouais, ils me l'ont demandé lorsque j'ai dû apporter des documents supplémentaires. J'ai traduis le plus important de chaque page (sans traduire chaque transaction).
Georges *****
C'était marqué "recommandé" donc pas forcément obligatoire.
Dnatjugweme ************
@Georges ****
Le problème c'est qu'apparemment le consulat lui demande explicitement une traduction certifiée. T'en a-t-il demandé une ?Reply to
Dnatjugweme ************
Reply
Dnatjugweme ************
115 EUR is not so much for 13 pages. Depends also on how much text there is on your bank statement. Are you sure you have a bank statement? Your terminology (bank history) is weird. Please refer to my reply under your other post. Does it show your name at least?
Reply to
Dnatjugweme ************
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Dnatjugweme ************
Were you asked by the embassy/consulate to provide certified translations? They don't always do.
If you're the French anon from another post that was asked to provide certified translations, then you'll have to.
If you're the French anon from another post that was asked to provide certified translations, then you'll have to.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dnatjugweme ***********
Not certified but "Documents without an English version is recommended to be translated at an official translation office in Vietnam" so by professional translator I guess. But it's true that paying 100€ for translating very few things like "incoming transfer", "card payment", and "outgoing transfer" is expensive... I already translated myself in like an hour, and by message he said it was correct translation...I'm more worried about giving my account numbers to people honestly.Dnatjugweme ************
Participant(e) anonyme "by message he said it was correct translation", what do you mean?
Dnatjugweme ************
Participant(e) anonyme
This is what it means, it's a certified translation. Certified by a professional translator (sometimes a sworn translator). In some countries they're even notarized.
This is what it means, it's a certified translation. Certified by a professional translator (sometimes a sworn translator). In some countries they're even notarized.
Reply to
Dnatjugweme ************
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Eamonn *******
Do.it yourself, google translate, 90 day's $25
Don't waste your money on some BS agent
Don't waste your money on some BS agent
Gab ****
@Eamonn ******
google translate charge 25$ ?Reply to
Gab ****
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John *********
What is your nationality and what exactly are you translating?
Reply to
John *********
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