To register a marriage in Thailand, you must secure an Affidavit of Freedom to Marry from your embassy, translate it into Thai, and provide your original passport. If your spouse-to-be is Thai, they will need their Thai ID card and a copy. The marriage registration process in Thailand involves obtaining embassy documents, such as affirmation of marriage and passport, and translating them.
For foreigners, marriage can take two forms: a foreign national marrying a Thai national or a foreign couple who are married. The legal age for marriage in Thailand is 17 years old, but couples below 20 years old need parental consent. If one party is below 17 years old, they must also register their marriage.
To register a marriage in Thailand, both parties must be over 17 years old or marriageable age according to Thai law. An application for registration can be filed at any district office or minor district office nationwide, regardless of the couple’s birthplace. A Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) is required to prove one’s freedom to marry.
Marriage registration can be completed at any district office in any province on any working day between 8AM and 3PM. An appointment to register a marriage must be made at least seven working days in advance, and all required documents must be submitted in advance to an officer.
In summary, registering a marriage in Thailand is a straightforward process that requires obtaining an Affidavit of Freedom to Marry, obtaining a single status certificate, and submitting necessary documents.
📹 What You Need to Know Before Registering a Marriage in Thailand
Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you! We’re thrilled to take you on a journey to one of the most well-known Amphoe (District Office) …
Can foreigners register marriage in Thailand?
Foreigners start with their embassies in Thailand. Their embassy must confirm they are citizens and that they can marry.
1. Both must be at least 17. If the minor is under 18, they need a court order.
2. Neither party is insane. The parties are not related by blood. They do not have the same adoptive parents. Neither party is married.
Can two tourists get married in Thailand?
Can foreigners get married in Thailand? Yes, two foreigners can marry in Thailand. But it’s not just a beach wedding. There are legalities to consider. You must be at least 17 to marry. If either party is under 20, they need parental consent.
Make sure neither person is already married. Thailand respects marriage and doesn’t recognize polygamy. You must visit your respective embassies in Bangkok to get permission to marry.
How do I legalize my marriage certificate in Thailand?
The legal documents can only be used if the destination organization in Thailand or abroad requests them. Foreigners can only get their documents validated with the Garuda seal. Foreigners must first have their documents authenticated by their embassy in Thailand or Thai embassies overseas before they can be approved for legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The translation of the original document can also be legalized. The document owner must have it translated by a reputable agency and have the translation confirmed by the translator. However, the translation can only be legalized in Thai and English. The translation may need to be changed to meet the Legalization Division’s rules. What’s the difference between notarization and document legalization?
How long does it take to get a marriage license in Thailand?
Once translated, take the documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Legalization Division will check the signatures on your documents against their records to make sure they are genuine. This should take about two days. Once you get the certified documents, you can register your marriage at any district office in Thailand. Start your Thai marriage registration application here and choose a package.
What happens if you get married in Thailand?
Get an “Affirmation of Freedom to Marry” from your embassy or consulate in Bangkok. This document says you can get married. You and your partner both need a document. Provide the listed documents. Then, have the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry translated into Thai and have it legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Finally, register the marriage at the local district office. This makes the marriage official. You will then get a Thai marriage certificate. You will need to get this translated. Make sure you get the document legally certified at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then confirm the marriage with your embassy or consulate in Bangkok. If you have any questions, contact your embassy. After the wedding, you can also have your certificate translated into English.
Documents needed. Passport; Birth certificate; Two witnesses’ passports; Thai visa; Fee (about £50); Divorce certificate (if needed from a previous marriage); Death certificate (if you’ve been widowed); Affidavit stating you’re free to marry.
Where is the best place to register marriage?
First, submit a marriage application. You can do this online or in person. Congrats! You’re engaged! What’s next? If you’re lost like I was when I got engaged, don’t worry. We’re here to help. Now that the proposal is over, it’s time to think about getting married. You need to register at the Registry of Marriages (ROM). Before you register your marriage, read our guide to everything you need to know. It includes the latest changes to the verification of documents and statutory declaration process, and how you receive your official marriage certificate.
1. Submit a marriage application. Eunice and Daniel’s Pre-Wedding Shoot in the Wilderness by Hey Stranger.
Can I live in Thailand if I marry a Thai?
You can stay in Thailand for a year after getting a marriage visa. You don’t need a re-entry permit when flying in and out of the country. You can apply for a Thai work permit and work in the country for a Thai company. It makes it easier for you to find work in Thailand because your employer only needs to worry about getting you a work permit, not a visa. To get a Thai marriage visa, you must:
Bankbook or passbook showing overseas transfer.
What is the easiest country for foreigners to get married in?
Many foreign couples travel to Denmark to get married each year. Thousands. Why do Germans choose to get married in Denmark? If you’re a German couple, a German citizen marrying a non-German citizen, or two non-Germans living in Germany, the answer is… Denmark is the easiest place in Europe for couples to get married. Couples who live in Germany and want to get married say it’s too difficult there.
Is marriage certificate required for Thailand?
Tips for getting married in Thailand. A marriage can be registered by both parties in front of a registrar. An application for a legal marriage can be filed at any district office.If the marriage registration is filed at the District Office where the woman was born, the woman’s name will be changed by the District Officer. If both parties are unable to file for marriage at any District Office or Minor District Office, they can submit a request to the Registrar to register their marriage at any location under the supervision of that District Office. Marriage shall be affected only on registration being made. After registration, get a marriage certificate. Marriage certificates for: British U.S. Danish Australian New Zealand Canadian Belgian Russian Vietnamese.
Is a marriage in Thailand legal in the USA?
You can’t register your marriage through an embassy or consulate because marriage is a state responsibility. Most states accept Thai marriages. To register your marriage in the US, contact your state Attorney General to find out what documents you need. Some states may require your Thai marriage certificate to be certified. To certify a Thai marriage certificate, have it translated into English and take it to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Legalization Division. Then make an appointment and bring the MFA-certified documents to our office. We will authenticate the signature of the MFA officer for the appropriate fee.
Same-sex marriages: The Thai government does not recognize same-sex marriage. To enter into a same-sex marriage, Americans must travel to the United States or another country that performs same-sex marriages. For more info on marriage abroad, visit the State Department website.
Can I stay in Thailand if I marry a Thai?
You can stay in Thailand for a year after getting a marriage visa. You don’t need a re-entry permit when flying in and out of the country. You can apply for a Thai work permit and work in the country for a Thai company. It makes it easier for you to find work in Thailand because your employer only needs to worry about getting you a work permit, not a visa. To get a Thai marriage visa, you must:
Bankbook or passbook showing overseas transfer.
📹 Getting Married In Thailand – Make Sure It’s LEGAL !
Married In Thailand The Legal Process Explained we give you a run down of the stages of marriage in Thailand to make it official …
My wife and I did the same thing 5 years ago, but my wife is very tight, and as a Yorkshire man we both agreed not to use an agent! Everything went smoothly except for one thing, it was August and when we told them we have planned the ceremony for the following February, they said no, you only have 1 month to go to the registry office!! So we had to go to the office in Kathu Phuket and got officially married 5 months before the wedding. Downside 2 wedding anniversaries! 😂
Thank you so much for making this article! I am currently trying to help my friends get married in Thailand (they are both UK nationals) and this was very helpful Are you able to confirm, did the Department of Consulate Affairs/Ministry of Foreign Affairs also translate the affirmation document for you as well as ‘legalizing’ it? (online guidance seems to say you have to visit a third place in between to get it translated before legalized)
Great article guys. Extremely helpful 😁. I was wondering if you could answer a quick question for me. I will be travelling to Thailand in December and plan to get married to my thai girlfriend. Once we are married how long would my girlfriend have to wait to she could travel back with a marriage visa to the UK bearing in mind she is due back to Thailand in October?
Hi Richie/Maybelle I am Thai (lived in UK since a baby) I do have a Thai ID card and passport as well as my British passport. My partner is British. Is there anything we can do over here in the UK (paperwork) before we get to Bangkok? We are coming to Thailand in Jan 2024 and our first stay at the beginning of the 5 week holiday is only 3 days, so we are concerned we won’t have enough time to get married then before we move on to Krabi. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you
I cannot travel to Philippines without 💉. My girl cannot travel to the US because immigration is not easy. Her solution was to get married in Thailand. I’ve found the consulate on google maps. That sounds WAY easier. How much time does it take? I am still in the planning phase…if we can get it done in a hurry, I might even arrange a side trip to Phuket. It looks a lot more my speed than Bangkok (I am Alaskan, it is very chill)
Hi! Love the article. I’m looking to get married to my Thai partner, I haven’t seen him in 15 months due to COVID. Do you happen to know if there is any visa I can get to enter the country to begin the marriage visa process? I have called all 4 Thai embassies in America, they all hang up on me. Any tips/help SUPER appreciated!
Not sure if they have change marriage laws as it’s recognised in UK as you say I married in 2010 in registry office in Phuket and last year I decided to call registry office and ask them if our marriage was recognised in UK they told me it wasn’t and what I got to do is translate our marriage certificate to English and then register our marriage Maybe it’s changed and you are right ?
I can relate to all you said. If you skip the wedding ceremony and the sin sot payment, her whole family will turn against you and finally talk her into ripping you off. Ask me how I know … Every woman in every country on Earth wants a traditional wedding, her very own dress and be the princess for that one day. Happy wife, happy life.