Three notary models worldwide
Civil-law notaries (France, Germany, Japan) are public officers who hold a monopoly on certain transactions like real estate. Common-law notaries (United States) are usually low-trained witnesses to signatures. Thailand uses a hybrid: a licensed lawyer who has obtained NSA accreditation from the Lawyers Council.
What an NSA in Thailand can do
Under the 2008 Lawyers Council Regulation, an NSA may: certify true copies of original documents, witness signatures, administer oaths and affirmations, certify translations done by a registered translator, and authenticate corporate documents such as director resolutions and powers of attorney.
What an NSA cannot do
An NSA cannot draft wills as a public officer, cannot register real-estate transfers (the Land Department handles that), and cannot issue 'Apostilles' (Thailand is not yet a Hague member).
How to verify an NSA
Ask for the lawyer's bar card and NSA registration number, then cross-check on the Lawyers Council of Thailand public registry. A genuine NSA seal carries a six-digit registration number and the Council's emblem.
International recognition
Every foreign embassy in Bangkok accepts NSA-notarized documents after MFA Chaeng Watthana legalization. NSA seals alone are not sufficient for cross-border use — the MFA + embassy chain is required.