thecatman

Cheers Guys, A couple of very good rate services there for me to choose from. Thank you.

The information on the VAC website says

Translations

You should provide translations of any supporting documents that are not in English to ensure your visa application is considered fully. Any translated documents need to be submitted with the original document for verification. All translated documents must include the following information:

• confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• the date of the translation
• the translator's full name and signature
• The translator's contact details

However, anecdotal evidence suggests that they will accept official documents such as those you list without a translation. However, a translation of your marriage and partner's birth certificates may be useful in the UK and it will be cheaper to have them done in Thailand.

As can be seen from the above quote, there is no need to have any translations certified by the Thai MFA.

Once again, thank you so much for your help 7 by 7 & Kunash for your kind words.

I have decided on the following course of action :

Wife's Birth Certificate translated & legalized at MFA

Marriage Certificate translated and legalized at MFA

Wife's ID card translated (but not legalized)

Wife's House registration book translated (but not legalized)

Wife's name-changing documents translated (but not legalized at MFA)

I may decide to get her driving licence also translated (but not legalized) just to add to our application.

I had all my translations done at Ploenchit Translation Center who's small office is located on level 2 of the Wave Place Building almost directly opposite the British Embassy. On the whole I was pleased with their services.

I've heard some horror stories about the cost of the translation of freedom to marry cert. Can anyone please tell me what a "normal" fee is, and where it was obtained?

Re birth certs, surely that is covered by the passport?

Seems to be some disagreement about witnesses on the thread. Can someone who has been married recently please clear this up.

Thanks.

I got my affirmation of freedom to marry form translated (Along with my wife's birth certificate) for 300 Bt each. This was done at the small mall almost directly opposite the British Embassy. Wave place I believe it's called. There were 2 translation companies operating there (small units side by side). I used Ploenchit Translation Center.

Maybe the horror stories you had heard were confusing the actual fee for the affirmation from the British Embassy, which is 2,725 bt (I think) and not the simple translation of the form into Thai.

I got married today!! We took my wife's father and sister as witnesses, but there were many other couples there getting married with no witnesses, so I guess that yes, the registrar and his/her assistant can act on your behalf.

With regards to the affirmation of freedom to marry translation, I should have added that once translated, the translated copy then needs to be legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Laksi. The fee for this is either 400bt (and return to collect 2 days later) or 800bt and get it back the same day.

I thought I'd give this thread a bump as a lot of questions appear to remain unanswered.

I will be submitting my now Wife's (married today) settlement visa application shortly and would like to know what exactly we do and don't need translated & legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

So far we have got my wife's birth certificate translated and legalised (at MFA). I'm not sure if this is necessary for the visa or not, but I think it's worth having once in UK anyway.

I will also get our marriage certificate translated and legalised. Again, maybe not necessary for visa, I don't know, but certainly worth having anyway.

The other documents (that I can think of) in question are House registration, ID card, and driving licence. Do I need to get these translated, and if so, do I then need to get them legalized at MFA???

Thanks in advance

Catman.

I've heard some horror stories about the cost of the translation of freedom to marry cert. Can anyone please tell me what a "normal" fee is, and where it was obtained?

Re birth certs, surely that is covered by the passport?

Seems to be some disagreement about witnesses on the thread. Can someone who has been married recently please clear this up.

Thanks.

I got my affirmation of freedom to marry form translated (Along with my wife's birth certificate) for 300 Bt each. This was done at the small mall almost directly opposite the British Embassy. Wave place I believe it's called. There were 2 translation companies operating there (small units side by side). I used Ploenchit Translation Center.

Maybe the horror stories you had heard were confusing the actual fee for the affirmation from the British Embassy, which is 2,725 bt (I think) and not the simple translation of the form into Thai.

I got married today!! We took my wife's father and sister as witnesses, but there were many other couples there getting married with no witnesses, so I guess that yes, the registrar and his/her assistant can act on your behalf.

I recently noticed that DTAC are advertising cheap calls overseas when you dial 004 first. The charge for these calls to UK is 5bt (to a lineline) or 8bt (to a mobile). Is this the cheapest way to call home?? Any other suggestions are most welcome.

Thanks in advance

Catman

Thanks for all the replies and well wishes guys. We're going to the Amphur tomorrow!!

In regards to birth certificates, I have mine here in Thailand with me, so I'll take it just in case...nothing worse than a wasted trip.

For witnesses we'll have my wife (to be's) sister and father, and my wife's sister has excellent English, so if need be then she will act as translator too.

We are getting married at the Amphur in Bangrak as we have friends who married there recently, and apparently the staff there are 'familiar' with the process when Farang is involved.

I think you have all the bases covered there. Mrs wife-to-be doesn't need a passport to get married, so don't worry about that one. I'm not sure about the need for witnesses either - the person behind the desk in the amphur and their superviser automatically become witnesses.

Not that I want to take any romance out of it for you, but it is basically a paperwork exercise to get a marriage certificate. The fun part is in the wedding ceremony in the village somewhere in Nakhon Nowhere

I wish you both all the best. I celebrate my 20th year of marriage later this year. It's been a roller coaster of a ride, but mostly a good time.

Thanks eefoo. Yeah, I got the impression that the actual marriage part was nothing to write home about...just another paperwork day....our Buddhist Ceremony/Wedding party day is all booked for March, that's when I have family coming over...was all a bit hard/strange for my parents to get their heads around as the process is different to back home.

Just out of interest...when do you consider your wedding aniversary to be?? I mean officially it is the day you sign papers etc, but as far as aniversarys/celebration between you & your wife do you consider it to be the day you sign papers, or the day of your wedding party/Buddhist ceremony (if different)??

Bring two witnesses.

Oh yeah....I have those sorted, thanks

I will be getting married in Thailand in the near future, I am English, my wife-to-be Thai.

I would just like to ask, what documentation do I & my wife-to-be need to take to the Amphur in order to marry??

I already have the 'affirmation of freedom to marry' form from the Embassy translated (going to MFA in the morning)

Obviously I will take my passport + photocopies of main page and any 'stamped' pages & Birth certificate (+ photocopies)

My wife-to-be will take her ID card & address book, birth certificate (+ photocopies) but not her passport as it expired about 2 weeks ago. Is this a problem??

Are there any other forms we need to take??

Are there any other forms/documentation I need to get translated??

Thanks in advance for your help

Catman

Although have not seen any report of legal translations being required in UK if doing this I would also have it registered with the MFA here in Thailand as that makes the translation a legal document worldwide and is not that expensive. I would also do with marriage certificate (although UK officers an Embassy service to get it on UK ledger).

Ahh, Thankyou Lopburi...you have just answered the question I was just about to ask as I was wondering if I needed to get the wife-to-be's translated birth certificate legalized at MFA (it already has translator's stamp on it). As I have to go there tomorrow anyway with my 'affirmation to marry' documents, then I guess I may as well take her birth certificate translation too.

There seems to be a number of unresolved issues since the changeover in July(?) that the board can't seem to resolve.

Besides having the search problem I still can't stay signed in for more than 2 days.

The new Search function is in my opinion, very poor now. The old one (before the change over) worked much better.

Something to be said for 'if it ain't broke...don't try & fix it.

Can you give an example of a a search phrase, or several, that doesn't generate the correct results?

Well the main problem is the block on having keywords with 3 characters or less. The search doesn't allow these. Therefore trying to search for topics subjecting the '150 bt atm fee' for example, become impossible.

There seems to be a number of unresolved issues since the changeover in July(?) that the board can't seem to resolve.

Besides having the search problem I still can't stay signed in for more than 2 days.

The new Search function is in my opinion, very poor now. The old one (before the change over) worked much better.

Something to be said for 'if it ain't broke...don't try & fix it.

I also had problems with 'Watch Topic' in as much as, once I click on 'watch topic' I then don't know where to find it on my profile page. I read somewhere it would be stored in 'My Subscriptions' but I can't see that either.

Come on...any admin able to help me with the above?!?!

It's not on your profile page. It's in your "my settings" page. Look to the right of your member name on the gray bar near the top of the page.

My Settings --> Forums --> Manage Watched Topics/Manage Watched Forums

Thanks for that, I've found it now....blimey, you don't half have to go around the houses to find such a simple function, surely that could be simplified somewhat.

I also had problems with 'Watch Topic' in as much as, once I click on 'watch topic' I then don't know where to find it on my profile page. I read somewhere it would be stored in 'My Subscriptions' but I can't see that either.

Come on...any admin able to help me with the above?!?!

If you (or your lady) haven't been before, then The Nest on top of Le Fenix Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 11 is pretty cool. It's not cheap, so for that reason I'd eat in one of Soi 11's other restaurants, maybe The Rosabieng Restaurant, 11 Gallery, or Chilli Culture, followed by a few relaxing drinks with your feet in the sand at The Nest.

The main reason for Or's visit is for her to see the UK, we want to get married but we think it is better if she spends some time in the UK before we get married as she will have to relocate here as i cannot relocate to Thailand, does anyone have any views on mentioning this in the visa application? I don't know whether it would be a good or bad idea to mention it.

Any Ideas?

That's pretty much word for word what I wrote in my Girlfriends application last year. Although I should add, my Girlfriend has land in her name (in Thailand) and a reasonably well paid job, which I think is a big plus as far as reasons to return go.

I'd also add 'to meet your family and friends' etc. Also, a couple of letters from friends/family members in UK saying that they are aware of the relationship between you and your girlfriend, how you have spoken so fondly of her, telling them of your love for her, and them expressing a wish to meet her etc.

I done this, and also included signed & dated photocopies of the passports with the letters from those friends....it all helps.

All the best

Interesting debate now about which test to take. My opinion is that if the candidate already has a good grasp of English they are better off taking a test which provides them the most benefit. IELTS is probably best as it provides the most flexibility for future use: employers love it and it would allow study with no further testing required, should the correct score be achieved. Or TOEIC but choice of study course becomes limited.

However, I agree that for candidates whose English is closer to beginner, simply meeting the requirement allowing the visa application process to progress is the more likely - and probably better - option.

So, which tests ( and with whom & where) would be better for those with a lesser grasp of English?? I mean, for those who wish only to get the A1 approved pass for visa reasons and nothing more.

I also had problems with 'Watch Topic' in as much as, once I click on 'watch topic' I then don't know where to find it on my profile page. I read somewhere it would be stored in 'My Subscriptions' but I can't see that either.

Thanks for posting this old dog...will come in handy for me in the New Year!!

Thanks for the replies Guys, I was aware of all the other things I need, but thanks for those links anyway (always handy to have the info at hand).

I am currently in UK and now starting to prepare for my next visit to Thailand, Now, usually when I'm in Thailand I'm there for 8 - 10 months, so I've always got non immigrant 'O' visas to see me through my time. However, this visit is different, I will be getting married, applying for a settlement visa for my wife, then returning to UK, all within 4 months (hopefully). I was thinking that a double entry tourist visa will do the trick this time, then it occured to me that maybe I should just check and ask, can I get married in Thailand (to a Thai) on a tourist visa?? I know the local Amphur office will want to see certain papers etc, and was wondering if what visa I was in Thailand on mattered.

Thanks in advance.

Well, That's another season over with, and for the 2nd year running It's Polecat United F.C. who wins the Thai Visa league.

Shambles Utd was a very very close second. Let's hope all who took part this year will continue next season, and that many new members will join in.

Polecat Utd F.C. for 3 titles on the bounce?? Can it be done??

The Final league table for 2009/2010 can be seen below.

http://fantasy.premierleague.com/M/table.mc?id=15371

You won't find anything in the OP's price range here, but for art lovers out there this link may be worth a browse.

I think a price range from 30,000 bt up to 400,000 bt is more likely here.

Nab Sotthibandhu is one of Thailand's older, more established artists (has sold paintings to the Royalty).

Central Lad Phrao has an individual VIP cinema. 500Bt with welcome buffet & drinks before each movie, as well as drinks and popcorn during the movie (as expected).

Only been the once, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

You'll have to be quick though...I believe Central Lad Phrao is due to close down for a refurb soon.