Coastman63

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

It has not been mandatory since 2002 when they changed it to comply with the constitution of 1997.

OK fine.  Thanks for the historical academic take.  So how does this play out now when applying for a non o visa based on marriage to a Thai citizen submitted to the Thai consulate in Savannakhet?

1 hour ago, fourpack said:

The name change cert for us (and I can't see how it would be unless you get married at same amphoe as your wife is registered and it's done as an all in one)

Name change has to be done at the amphoe your spouse is registered in

Once she did that she got the name change certificate and new ID card and name in Blue book changed from there. 

 

The certificates I received were the ones given to me by going through the bureaucratic procedure required when I lived in Chiang Mai to get married to my Thai wife.  There were 3 in total, 2 copies of the marriage certificates, one for me & one for my wife, ie the white one with red flower border and just one copy of what has now been identified as a "change of name certificate".

What I do not know is if it is mandatory for your wife to change her surname to yours?  I guess not because my sister-in-law still uses her family/maiden name even though she is supposedly married.  By the way to a Thai not a Farang.

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You would not get a divorce certificate issued on the same day you registered your marriage.

I think the other one you have been providing may be a name change certificate not a divorce certificate. Have your wife confirm what it is. Example of one is here. Name change certificate.pdf

Yep that's the one.  When I googled Thai marriage certificates the ones that came up included the one's I posted.  I see the "divorce" one is very similar in appearance to the "change name" one.  Apologies for the confusion.

22 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It would be needed at some immigration offices to apply for an extension.

I have never heard of it being asked for to apply for a visa application.

Both certificates were issued when I got married that is why I refer to them as marriage certificates.  Why would you receive a divorce certificate when getting married?  Its being a bit presumptuous to say the least! What It maybe is just a confirmation that wife once known as, is now wife with my surname.  I am sure you will be able to explain.

However the fact remains that I did not need to provide a copy of both documents before.  It was evident to me that I was not the only one caught out by this requirement.

25 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It would be needed at some immigration offices to apply for an extension.

I have never heard of it being asked for to apply for a visa application.

Hence why I am offering this information.  There are lots of possible repercussions.  Do you need to take your wife with you? I suspect not, just ensure all relevant documents are signed by her. If her ID has not been changed to your surname does that make a different? I do not know but suspect it does. Perhaps you could monitor other members experiences at Savvanakhet and see if my experience is unique or is now the norm?

10 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Only the one on the left is a marriage certificate. The one on the right is a divorce certificate.

I have never been divorced but if you know better!  These were the certificates required to obtain my visa. That's all I am saying and have been saying all along.  Your experience might be different but as I my original posting outlined this was mine.  My wife has been divorced.

In all previous applications going back many years I never before had to produce either originals of both documents nor copies.  Only the white one with pink flower border was sufficient.  Make of it as wish Mr know it all!

On 2/27/2020 at 2:42 PM, NanLaew said:

@ubonjoe could you please detail the official Thai numeration for the two documents that the OP references as 'white one with flowery border' and 'the brown one'? Just for clarity going forward here.

 

Thanks!

NL

For non o visa based on marriage at the Thai Consulate at Savvankhet you need originals and copies of both marriage certificates and signed by wife

Just because they don't hand back the copy they don't need, does not mean they don't need it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They don't need an invitation letter either but guess what I always provide one just in case .  I have also been applying at this consulate for the last 15 years.  Before the current purpose built consulate was built.

No you have not needed  both copies of your marriage certificates at this consulate in Savannakhet before! Look at previous posting on this subject which I have been following for years!  Why is it everyone thinks they know better and cannot resist telling the world so.  

Hello again

I did get my visa and so did all others that I saw when submitting my application.  My take for what its worth, is that the lady behind the counter is being pedantic but also helpful.  Having told applicants they did not have the right forms or copies she gave ways to solve the problem.  This is my impression, I don't think she was acting on her own, she must be following instructions.  All that seems to have changed is that you need both marriage certificates and copies.

The lady behind the counter whilst wearing a mask I am sure was the same lady who excepted my previous application 15 months ago.