Notarisation (documents / contracts / certified copies; in Lao, foreign-language papers must be translated) in Laos: statutory documents, competent authority and legal basis
Who can apply
Both Lao citizens and foreigners may apply; the documents differ.
Competent authority: File at the court registry / notary office (#169, #134); check list #406 for what must be notarised.
At a glance
Where to apply: File at the court registry / notary office (#169, #134); check list #406 for what must be notarised.
Steps:
- Check list #406 whether notarisation is required
- Translate foreign-language documents into Lao (Art.6)
- Bring originals, ID (and POA) and file (Art.24)
How long: Within 3 working days, up to 15 if supplemented (Art.22).
Cost: A state administrative fee (Art.44); per the office notice.
Statutory document list
Notarise a document
- ID card, household book, passport (as needed, Art.24) (required)
- Power of attorney or letter of appointment (if acting for another / for an entity, Art.24) (optional)
- The original document to be notarised (information correct, complete and clear, Art.24) (required)
- Related evidence or supplementary information (Art.24) (optional)
Notarise a contract (foreign language translated to Lao first)
- ID card, household book, passport (as needed, Art.24) (required)
- Power of attorney or letter of appointment (if acting for another / for an entity, Art.24) (optional)
- The original document to be notarised (information correct, complete and clear, Art.24) (required)
- Related evidence or supplementary information (Art.24) (optional)
Certify a copy true to the original
- ID card, household book, passport (as needed, Art.24) (required)
- Power of attorney or letter of appointment (if acting for another / for an entity, Art.24) (optional)
- The original document to be notarised (information correct, complete and clear, Art.24) (required)
- Related evidence or supplementary information (Art.24) (optional)
Check first: which documents must go through the notary registry (#406)
- Power of attorney or letter of appointment (if acting for another / for an entity, Art.24) (optional)
- Related evidence or supplementary information (Art.24) (optional)
Statutory requirements
- Language (Art.6): notarial work must be in Lao; foreign-language contracts or documents must be translated into Lao; anyone who does not understand Lao needs an interpreter.
- Time limit (Art.22): the notarial review is done within 3 working days, extendable to at most 15 days if information must be supplemented.
- Check the list (#406): the provincial governor list of documents that must go through the notary registry — check yours is on it first.
- Fees (Art.44): a state administrative fee, per the President decree on fees and service charges; per the office notice.
- On cross-border authentication: this page covers only notarisation done in Laos under the Notary Law (#134). Consular / apostille authentication of foreign documents is a separate diplomatic process with no official source in our library yet, so it is not described here.
Common issues
- A foreign-language document not translated into Lao cannot be processed (Art.6)
- Consular / apostille authentication is out of scope here
Legal basis (Lao Official Gazette texts)
Excerpt: Article 6 Language Used in Notarization Work (Amended) The language used in notarization work shall be Lao. If a contract or document submitted for notarization is in a foreign language, it shall be translated into Lao; …
Excerpt: Article 22 Notarization Review (Amended) Upon receiving an application for notarization, the notary shall conduct a detailed, thorough, and objective examination and study of the information and actual evidence related t …
Excerpt: Article 24 Obligations of the Applicant (Amended) The applicant has the following obligations: 1. To provide correct, complete, and clear information and evidence regarding the contracts and documents requiring notarizat …
Excerpt: Article 44 Fees (Amended) Fees refer to state administrative fees, collected in monetary form by the relevant notarization institution from individuals, legal persons, or organizations applying for notarization. …
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a Notarisation (documents / contracts / certified copies; in Lao, foreign-language papers must be translated) in Laos?
Both Lao citizens and foreigners may apply; the documents differ. Competent authority: File at the court registry / notary office (#169, #134); check list #406 for what must be notarised..
What documents are required for a Notarisation (documents / contracts / certified copies; in Lao, foreign-language papers must be translated) in Laos?
2 statutory items: ID card, household book, passport (as needed, Art.24); The original document to be notarised (information correct, complete and clear, Art.24). Competent authority: File at the court registry / notary office (#169, #134); check list #406 for what must be notarised..
What is the legal basis for a Notarisation (documents / contracts / certified copies; in Lao, foreign-language papers must be translated) in Laos?
Based on Law on Notary (Amended) Article 6; Law on Notary (Amended) Article 22; Law on Notary (Amended) Article 24; Law on Notary (Amended) Article 44; Directive on Verification of Authenticity of Documents and Legal Instruments Requiring Notarization by the Notary Registration Office Article ; Agreement on Management of Deed Registration (Notarization) Work Article . The full texts are available in the LaoPaniti law library, sourced from the Lao Official Gazette.
Are there time limits or hard requirements for a Notarisation (documents / contracts / certified copies; in Lao, foreign-language papers must be translated) in Laos?
Language (Art.6): notarial work must be in Lao; foreign-language contracts or documents must be translated into Lao; anyone who does not understand Lao needs an interpreter. Time limit (Art.22): the notarial review is done within 3 working days, extendable to at most 15 days if information must be supplemented. Check the list (#406): the provincial governor list of documents that must go through the notary registry — check yours is on it first. Fees (Art.44): a state administrative fee, per the President decree on fees and service charges; per the office notice. On cross-border authentication: this page covers only notarisation done in Laos under the Notary Law (#134). Consular / apostille authentication of foreign documents is a separate diplomatic process with no official source in our library yet, so it is not described here.
How much does a Notarisation (documents / contracts / certified copies; in Lao, foreign-language papers must be translated) cost in Laos and how long does it take?
Cost: A state administrative fee (Art.44); per the office notice.. How long: Within 3 working days, up to 15 if supplemented (Art.22)..
Can LaoPaniti obtain the Notarisation (documents / contracts / certified copies; in Lao, foreign-language papers must be translated) for me?
LaoPaniti organises the document list, offers online form filling, document upload and pre-check hand-off by staff. It is not a government filing, does not represent acceptance or approval by any authority, and promises neither results nor expedited handling. Formal processing follows the current requirements of the File at the court registry / notary office (#169, #134); check list #406 for what must be notarised..
Organise documents online and submit for pre-check →
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