A power of attorney for use in India can be signed in Thailand in two ways. Indian citizens can sign it before the consular officer at the Embassy of India in Bangkok or the Consulate General in Chiang Mai. Otherwise, it is signed before a Thai notarial services attorney, legalised by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attested by the Indian mission. It must then be stamped in India within three months, and property powers are often registered or authenticated locally.
- Document route
- Thai notarial service attorney, Thai MFA legalisation, then Indian Embassy attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 1h30 behind Thailand all year (no daylight saving)
- Recognition
- Section 33, Registration Act 1908
- Authentication
- Indian mission, or notary plus apostille
Power of Attorney from Thailand: how it works
We draft the power of attorney for the specific job: a sale or purchase of identified property, operating a bank account, handling a tenancy or appearing in a case. A general power over everything is often refused by sub-registrars and banks, so we keep it specific and include the property description, the name and identity of the attorney holder, and the exact powers. If you are not an Indian citizen, for example a Thai citizen of Indian origin, the Thai notary and Ministry route is usually needed before Indian mission attestation. We check the mission's current appointment process before you go.
Once the original reaches India, we get it stamped or adjudicated under the state stamp law, and where the power concerns immovable property, we follow the local sub-registrar's requirements for registration or authentication under the Registration Act. The attorney holder then uses it for the transaction, with our team accompanying them where useful. Keep in mind that a power of attorney does not transfer ownership; a sale still needs a registered sale deed, and banks may insist on their own forms in addition.
What clients in Thailand should know
- Thailand does not offer the apostille route as far as we know, so a notarised power must be legalised by the Thai Ministry and attested by the Indian mission.
- Many North Indian sub-registrars want the attorney holder's and principal's photographs and identity proofs attached to the power, so we prepare it in their format.
- Revoke an old power formally and notify the attorney holder and the relevant office when it is no longer needed.
Step by step from Thailand
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Thailand, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Thailand
Thai notarial service attorney, Thai MFA legalisation, then Indian Embassy attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Thailand where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Thailand. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Power of Attorney, or see all services for clients in Thailand and the Inheritance & Documents practice area.
Questions from clients in Thailand
Can I sign the power of attorney at a Thai notary only?
A Thai notarisation alone is not enough for India. It must be legalised by the Thai Ministry and attested by the Indian mission.
How long does the Embassy route take?
Often a few working days for attestation, depending on appointment availability and the mission's current procedure.
Can my attorney holder sell my property and keep the money?
The power should state that sale proceeds go only to your NRO or NRE account, which protects you and satisfies FEMA.