Marriage Registration in Thailand is easy once you understand the process. All you need is a certified statement that you are free to marry from your Embassy which is then translated into Thai and authenticated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Many people believe that they can walk into any Amphur or Khet office in Thailand and have their marriage registered. Unfortunately this is incorrect.
Documents Required
The first thing that you need to get is the ‘Affirmation of Freedom to Marry’. This is an embassy document that confirms that it is legal for you to formally marry your partner in Thailand. Both you and your partner will require an individual Affirmation of Freedom to Marry. Once the documents have been completed they will need to be professionally translated into Thai and then they must be legalised at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok.
You will need to provide proof of your identity, such as your passport and a certified copy of your birth certificate. You will also need a letter from two referees, who are not related to you and who can attest that you are free to marry in accordance with Thai law. The letter of reference must be dated not more than three months before your intended date of marriage in Thailand, otherwise you may have to attend an embassy appointment to revise the Affirmation.
Once all the verified and translated documents have been presented at the local district office known as an ‘amphur’ or ‘khet’, both parties must publicly declare their intention to marry in accordance with Thai law. Once this is done a Marriage Certificate will be issued and it will be legally valid in Thailand and recognized all over the world. It is always best to engage the services of an efficient and knowledgeable law firm to help you through this process especially if you are concerned about protecting your assets by drafting a prenuptial agreement prior to the marriage registration.
Legalization
The next step is obtaining the required documents which can be done through any district office in Thailand (Amphur). The embassy issued statement affirming you are free to marry must be translated by a reputable translator. The translated documents and copies of your passports must then be taken for legalization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The process typically takes two days to get the documents authenticated.
The issuance of the marriage confirmation in your country can be used as proof for your Thai registration, however, it will only be valid for the month stated on it. There is no law in the UK or Thailand that mandates this statement of month; it is purely the discretion of your embassy or consulate.
Once you have the necessary documentations, you can book an appointment with your local registry office in Thailand. Please note that each registry office may have requirements above and beyond the legally required ones and it is best to check with them first. Moreover, it is recommended to secure legal assistance as it can significantly ease the whole procedure and make sure that all your documents are in order. It also guarantees that your marriage will be registered in accordance to Thai legal parameters. This will ensure that your marriage is enforceable both in Thailand and in your home country.
Local District Offices
The next step is for the couple to go to their local district office, which is known as an amphur or khet. They will need their affirmation and translated documents as well as their Thai ID cards and a house registration certificate (if they live in Thailand).
At the amphur, both parties must publicly declare their intention to marry each other before a registrar. The registrar will then register the marriage and issue the Marriage Registration Certificate. This will be a legal marriage in Thailand that is valid all over the world.
It is important that these documents are verified and authenticated because a single error can throw the entire process off. If the registrar believes that the document is not authentic, then it will be rejected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the entire process will have to start over. Acclime recommends seeking professional legal advice to ensure that all requirements are met.
Once the document has been verified and authenticated, the couple will receive a Thai language copy of their marriage certificate and registry. They may also want to get these documents translated into English and then authenticated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. The reason for this is that their home country will need to register the marriage with them before they can legally recognize it.
Affirmation of Freedom to Marry
An affirmation of freedom to marry is a statement certified by your Embassy which declares that you are legally free to marry according to Thai law. The document needs to be translated into Thai and legalised by the legalization division of your embassy before it can be presented to the local district office (Amphur).
If you want to get married in Thailand, you will need to prepare some documents, including the Affirmation of Marriage and the passports of both parties. You will also need to visit a district office (Amphur), which is similar to town halls, to register your marriage. This step is necessary to make the ceremony legally binding and to be able to apply for a spouse visa if you need to stay in the country after your wedding.
The requirements for this document may differ between Embassies, so it is best to contact your embassy ahead of time. Typically you will need to provide copies of your passports, birth certificates, and any previous divorce in Thailand or death certificates. The statements in the declaration should be signed before a Notary Public or a Consular Officer.
Once you have all the required documentation, you can proceed to a district office and register your marriage. A marriage certificate is then issued by the office, and you are now legally married in Thailand.