Scottie37

Next question 🙂 What do I need to do with the Marriage Certifcate, in case I need to use it in the UK, at some stage? Can it be translated here in Thailand, or will it need to be done in the UK?

Hilarious, and for me, confirms that Banglamung District Office are at it. They called "my wife" today, to inform us, that we can get married on the 25th of February. My visa expires on? ... the 24th. Sattahip never asked to see my passport, or my visa stamp, unlike Banglamung who demanded copies of both. "My Wife" thinks it is just a coincidence 😆

Yes, I was warned they were extremely fussy. I used the old translation guy through the back of Maneerat Visa Services, on Soi Post Office, and even he was surprised to see us return, with one correction needed. They were unhappy how the name of the person we saw at the British Embassy was translated.

I thought I should post the conclusion to this saga 🙂 Last Wednesday, we travelled to Sattahip District Office, who were a joy to deal with, compared to Banglamung. (Anyone, contemplating getting married in the Chonburi district, I would advise using Sattahip over Banglamung) It took roughly around 30 minutes, to fill a form in, and we were on our way. Then yesterday, Valentines Day, we turned up at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden to get married. We were told to turn up anytime, so we arrived around 9am. which was kind of busy, and a bit hectic. We did not leave Nong Nooch until the afternoon, and it was clearly a lot more relaxed then, and that would be my advice, if you fancy doing it here next year. There was yet another form to fill in, and a payment of 550 baht, but after that, it was just wait your turn, then up onto an Elephant, and handed the marriage certificate, from the same lady from the Sattahip office, who we met on Wednesday. And that was it. Nong Nooch was really good actually, there was no entrance fee or the like, in fact, we got a voucher for a free meal, and a gift of a potted plant. So, thank you for all the advice I got on the two threads I started, it was all much appreciated.

Another update, on this saga. We contacted Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, about getting married on Valentine's Day, around a month ago. We emailed in all the documents they required, which they pass onto Sattahip Office, and we were accepted. 4 days out, we are contacted again, that if we want to get married on Valentine's Day, then we must turn up in person at Sattahip first. New directive from Bangkok, no foreigners can get married, without an interview at an Amphur Office first. SIGH!

A follow up, mainly for anyone else thinking of using Banglamung. I was leaning towards, Sattahip for the marriage ceremony. But my GF talked me out of it, and said let's just use Banglamung, as she now understood everything they required. So, we turned up, with two witnesses, which I thought this was ridiculous. But no, this was a requirement, both witnesses had to be checked, copies of ID cards taken, and would they both swear that they would be available when we got married. All our paperwork was checked once again, more copies of various bits of paper was required, and she was unhappy that we had just taken a dozen photographs along with us. We had to take them to the nearby copy shop, who copied them for us, and put in the booklet like they wanted, after we had signed them all. We were there from 8am to 11am, and left with a "we will be in touch" Since 10 days have passed, GF telephoned them today, and was told that they will be in touch, sometime in 2 months, when a date can be booked then. I have never came across anything like this. Back to square one, again.

To be honest, I thought getting all the paperwork sorted, was going to be most difficult part of getting married in Thailand. But I seem to have managed that part without much problem, and it is the booking of the ceremony that is being problematic. Living in the Pattaya area, we just presumed that Banglamung District Office would be the place to go. Wrong. They have made it pretty clear that the do not want Thais marrying Foreigners there. Each visit we make, they add something else to the growing list of requirements we need. Yesterday, it was 6 photos of us together, to show we have been together for a satisfactory length time. This is not a problem, as we have been together 25 years, but i just get the feeling, that the next visit, somthing else will be added. Plus, they have told us, that the appointment will be a minimum of 3 months away, which just seems ridiculous. So, can anyone help me out here, on what other district offices in the area, we could use in the area, and what experiences others have had using any alternatives to Banglamung. Any help here, would much appreciated.

@Liquorice Thank you for taking the time, to explain all that to me. So, you are saying, after my appointment at the British Embassy, I could get my MFA legalised in Pattaya? That I did not know, so thanks. And thanks for the tip on Express Translation Services.

So, its the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , and not the "Department of Consular Affairs"? Or is this the same place? Chaeng Wattana Road?

Have we had confirmation, that it is 30 days, not 60 days, at land borders now?

Has anyone done the affirmation of marital status recently? I have a booking made for the British Embassy, and I think I understand that part. After this part, you must get the documents translated, and legalised? Can someone explain to me, exactly where I need to go, to get this done, as I have seen several places mentioned online. Best way to get there from British Embassy would also be helpful. Do I need to make an appointment beforehand for there? I have been told, it is best to use an on-site Agent for this part, which I have no problem paying for, if it helps. Can this all be done on the same day, or is it return at a later date, or? This part has me a bit stressed out, so ANY advice and help, on this part, is most welcome.