What is the procedure for translating and legalizing my son's French birth certificate for an ED visa application in Thailand, and can it be done from abroad?

ED Visa International School Enrollment Document Translation Legalization Process Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Expat Tips Child Visa Issues French Birth Certificate Handling

Sep 20, 2023

a year ago

Marie ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello. I am preparing the documents to enroll my son in an international school with an ED visa. But his birth certificate is in French and it is expected to be in English. I understood that the procedure to follow was:

1) Make a true copy at the French embassy

2) Have the document translated by an approved translator

3) Validate the translation at the French embassy

4) Legalize the document with the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The procedure seems long, especially because there are deadlines for appointments at the French embassy. Is it possible to pay someone to take care of all the steps for me or do I have to be there in person? And if my presence is expected, is it only mine or also that of my son?

Do you have any tips for speeding up the process?

Is it possible to follow the first 3 steps from another country like Malaysia or Vietnam or does it absolutely have to be done from Thailand? 

(Now we are in Vietnam)

Thank you all

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The process for enrolling your son in an international school with an ED visa requires translating his French birth certificate into English and legalizing it. The recommended steps include making a true copy at the French embassy, translating it by an approved translator, validating the translation at the embassy, and then legalizing it with the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There may be options to delegate this process to someone else, although your presence may be required at specific steps, especially at the embassy. It's possible to manage translation in another country like Malaysia or Vietnam, but local requirements vary; some suggest doing it while in Thailand. An ex-pat shared their experience of successfully handling similar documentation processes from neighboring countries.

Av **********

I just did this. Keep in mind too u can't apply for ed visa from Vietnam unless you are resident. Anyway, you can get it translated anywhere and use it. That's what I did for my kid when his bc is in Portuguese. It has a notary stamp from Portugal on it. We took that copy to the embassy in Laos with the rest of the papers and it was fine.

a year ago

Marie ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

It seems so easy like that! Thank you for this feedback

a year ago

Av **********

@Marie *******

well, his was translated by a legal translator notary in Portugal. Then the school gave us the rest of the documents, and I provided my proof of funds and applied through laos embassy for him and I. I was so nervous myself, but it all worked out easily for us through that embassy

a year ago

Marie ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

How did you go about legalizing the translation? Did you simply hire a certified translator and then go to the Thai embassy in Portugal? Or were there other steps involved? Thank you very much for letting me know that it won't be possible to do it from Vietnam, as I was unaware of this. So, I'm considering applying for the ED visa directly from Thailand. However, if I can indeed get the translation done from Vietnam, it would be very convenient for me! Thank you so much for this precious information

a year ago

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Marie ********

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What are the steps to translate and legalize a Thai birth certificate in Bangkok or Pathum Thani?

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