1. Legalization
Legalization is a procedure conducted on a public or private document through which the authenticity of the signature inserted in that document and the position of the signing official are certified. This enables the legalized document to take effect in Argentina.
As for public or private documents issued in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar, apostille legalization is not possible since none of those four countries are signatory parties to The Hague Apostille Convention.
Instead, consular legalization applies, which consists of a procedure conducted on the document by the Head of the Consular Section of this Embassy, through which the authenticity of the signature inserted in that document and the position of the signing official are certified.
In order to receive consular legalization, the document must: 1) Be original (photocopies or faxes are not legalized). 2) Contain an original signature, accompanied by an indication of the name and position of the signing official. 3) Not contain errors or corrections. 4) Have been previously legalized by the relevant local body [Chamber of Commerce of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar for commercial documents or Ministry of Foreign Affairs for other documents].
Note that only documents issued in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar can receive consular legalization at this Embassy. Documents issued in other countries or territories must be legalized at the Argentine Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over that country or territory.
Conversely, documents issued in Argentina must be legalized at the Thai Embassy in Argentina or at the Embassy or Consulate of another country that has jurisdiction over Argentina in order for it to be valid in Thailand or the other country respectively.
1.1. Commercial documents [certificate of origin, reconditioning or guarantee certificate]
Requirements
**The document must be signed and stamped by the Chamber of Commerce of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar, as applicable.
** It must be submitted for legalization within one year of its issuance.
** The signature of the signing official|person must be registered at the Embassy because, otherwise, a note from the relevant Chamber must be attached featuring the stamp with the indication of the name of the signing official|person.
** If these are goods originating in other countries [other than Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar], the exporter of the merchandise bound for Argentina must provide, as a sworn declaration, on the back of the certificate of origin [original or photocopy] with which the goods were exported from the country of origin [for example, China] to this jurisdiction, the following information: a) Importer in Argentina, b) Date and number of the commercial invoice by which the exporter to Argentina purchased the merchandise from a supplier in the country of origin, c) Amount of the total merchandise that is re-exported to Argentina, d) The signature of the exporter on the back of the certificate of origin must be authenticated by the respective chamber of commerce located in this jurisdiction or by a notary public.
Fee
Amount in THB equivalent to USD 200, which is paid in local currency, at the exchange rate valid on the day the document is delivered to the Embassy. The exact amount in THB will be informed at the Embassy. The payment can be made by transfer, card, bank deposit or QR code.
Procedure
1 | Submit the original document at the Embassy any business day from 09:00 to 16:00 and pay the fee. Provide telephone number.
2 | Once the legalization is completed, the Embassy will contact you by telephone to set a date and time for the delivery of the document. Estimated processing time: three (3) to five (5) business days.
Important: This Embassy does not send documents by postal mail or courier.
With regard to legalized certificates of origin, keep in mind that its validity is one hundred and eighty (180) days from the date of legalization.
1.2. Other documents
Requirements
**The document must have been legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar, as applicable.
** It must be submitted for legalization within one year of its issuance.
** The signature of the signing official|person must be registered at the Embassy.
Fee
* Certificates from civil or ecclesiastical authorities or court rulings regarding the name or marital status of persons: USD 40, payable in local currency at the consular exchange rate valid on the day the document is delivered at the Embassy. The exact amount in THB will be informed by the Embassy. The payment can be made by transfer, card, bank deposit or QR code.
** Diplomas, professional or technical degrees to exercise a profession or revalidate the document in Argentina: USD 50, payable in local currency at the consular exchange rate valid on the day the document is delivered at the Embassy. The exact amount in THB will be informed by the Embassy. The payment can be made by transfer, card, bank deposit or QR code.
*** Other public or private documents, such as a criminal record certificate: USD 60, payable in local currency at the consular exchange rate valid on the day the document is delivered at the Embassy. The exact amount in THB will be informed by the Embassy. The payment can be made by transfer, card, bank deposit or QR code.
Procedure
1 | Request legalization of the document by email to secon_etail@mrecic.gov.ar attaching scanned copies of the following documents:
a- Document to be legalized, already legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar.
b- “Intimación” (migratory letter) to submit the legalized document received from the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones, which it typically sends to foreigners who are applying for a residence in Argentina [only applicable when legalization is required in the framework of visa application filed in Argentina]
c- Legalization application form, which can be found here, filled out electronically in every field and signed by hand.
d- Authorization document for another person to bring and collect the documents, in case you cannot attend in person. You can also find it here.
e- Two first pages of the passport of the applicant for legalization.
2 | Wait for the appointment from the Embassy, which you will receive by email.
3 | Attend the appointment [or tell the other authorized person to attend it] in order to submit the documents listed above as a, c and d, plus ID card or passport of the authorized person, and pay the fee. Estimated processing time: three (3) to five (5) business days.
3. Seen (Visto)
The “seen” is a consular procedure conducted on a public or private document which proves that it has been submitted and seen at the Embassy on a specific date.
It does not mean certification or legalization of the signature or the content of the document.
In order to receive a “seen”, the document must: 1) Be original. 2) Be written in Spanish or English. 3) Not contain references contrary to public order.
Fee
Commercial documents: USD 200, which is paid in local currency, at the exchange rate valid on the day the document is delivered to the Embassy. The exact amount in THB will be informed at the Embassy. The payment can be made by transfer, card, bank deposit or QR code.
Other documents: USD 100, which is paid in local currency, at the exchange rate valid on the day the document is delivered to the Embassy. The exact amount in THB will be informed at the Embassy. The payment can be made by transfer, card, bank deposit or QR code.
Procedure
1 | Submit the original document to the Embassy any business day from 09:00 to 16:00 and pay the fee. Provide telephone number.
2 | Once the legalization is completed, the Embassy will contact you by telephone to set the day and time of delivery of the document. Estimated processing time: three (3) to five (5) business days.
Important: This Embassy does not send documents by postal mail or courier.