Notary Documents for Thailand → US Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention)
Thai documents used abroad and foreign documents used in Thailand both require a Notary Public seal before the destination legalisation step — the chain runs in both directions. Prospective adoptive parents in the US adopting a Thai child — Home Study, I-800A, USCIS approval and DCY authorisation, all notarised and apostilled. 3 Notarial Services Attorneys on desk — reach them via LINE @NYCLI.
Why Notary Public matters for United States
Prospective adoptive parents in the US adopting a Thai child — Home Study, I-800A, USCIS approval and DCY authorisation, all notarised and apostilled.
Documents in this class are filed with USCIS (I-800A / I-800), DCY Thailand, US Central Authority (Department of State), each with specific formatting NYC knows from continuous casework — Notarial Services Attorneys, sworn translators and MFA / embassy messengers all work the file inside one folder.
Common pitfalls when notarising for — Legalisation chain
- 1Notary Public — Home Study, financial affidavits, POA to Thai counsel
- 2MFA Apostille (both Thailand and the US are Hague Convention adoption members)
- 3Filed with DCY Thailand and USCIS in parallel
United States is a Hague Apostille member. Since Thailand joined the Convention on 25 Dec 2025, Consular Legalisation is no longer needed for most documents.
Fees and turnaround for — Frequently notarised documents
- USCIS I-800A approval notice — notarised copy
- Home Study report from Hague-accredited agency
- FBI background check + state clearance
- Financial affidavit + tax returns (last 3 years)
- Notarised Power of Attorney to Thai adoption counsel
Frequently asked questions about — Local tips (United States)
- •Thai intercountry adoptions go through DCY (Department of Children and Youth) at MSDHS — expect 18–24 months from I-800A approval to placement.
- •The Hague adoption process ends with a US Article 23 certificate; the child enters the US on an IH-3 or IH-4 visa depending on whether the adoption was finalised in Thailand.
- •NYC coordinates with Hague-accredited primary providers on the US side and licensed Thai adoption agencies — sole proprietors cannot legally handle Hague adoptions.
FAQ — United States
How long does Thailand → US adoption take?
18–24 months on average from I-800A approval to child placement; some Waiting Child cases move faster.
Can I adopt as a single parent?
Yes — DCY allows single-parent adoption, but the applicant must be at least 25 and 15 years older than the child.
Which agency handles the US side?
A Hague-accredited primary provider — private lawyers cannot legally run intercountry adoption under the IAA 2000.