Hello

 

I am about to come to Thailand from UK and I hope to become married as it's the easiest way for me to become legal guardian to my daughter. I was just wondering about the following queries which I wasn't clear on

 

• Once I have filled in the "Affirmation of Freedom to Marry in Thailand" form, do I have to get the only in Bangkok or could I get it in a Thai Consulate in either UK or in Chiang Mai, which is where I will be staying? 
• If it has to be Bangkok, is it something where I could fly down early in the morning form Chiang Mai, 1) get it processed at the Embassy, 2) then get it translated, 3) get it authenticated at the Consular Affairs still in Bangkok, and return to Chiang Mai late the same day?  
• Aside from the passport, the translations, is there anything else I would need (other than my partners docs) to proceed with the marriage procedure (which I hope we would do in Chiang Mai a few days later).
•  

Thanks a lot for any help.

Not visa related moved to here,

You have to the affirmation at the UK embassy in Bangkok. Info is here: https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad/y/thailand/opposite_sex

After doing the affirmation I suggest you go to a translation service and have them do the translation, the certification of it at the Consular Affairs Department and then have them send it you by EMS. 

Check at the Amphoe where you plan on register your marriage to find out if they want your passport certified and/or translated. Some want that to be done for the marriage registration.

 

Download the 'affirmation to marry' template from the British Embassy.

Complete with your own personal details keeping all other wording exactly as the template.

Make an appointment.

You'll need your passport and proof of address as stated on the form, proof of your marital status (decree absolute or death certificate) and they also need your intended wife's ID card to check her details.

 

Do check first with your local Amphoe what documents they require, as Joe stated.

My Amphoe only needed my Passport and the legalised translation.

They did not require a copy of my Passport to be certified/translated.

 

With your back to the Embassy entrance, turn right, walk 100 metres to Sukhumvit Road.

Turn left, first street on the right is full of translation offices.

Use the footbridge (facing Home Pro) to cross onto the other side of Sukhumvit Road.

 

Now be warned!

Many of these translators want 6,000 baht to do the translation, get your document legalised at the MFA and obtain your Marriage certificate from a Bangkok marriage registry office. They want you to sign a power of attorney form and a notarised copy of your passport from the British Embassy (another appointment and fee). They need these to register your marriage without your attendance.

They refuse to just do the translation and tell you to come back in 5 days.

They'll tell you this is the only procedure to follow..........it's nonsense!

 

Express Translation Services (25 metres down, on the RH side) offer to do the translation, get the translation legalised at the MFA and return to your home address by EMS for 1,960 baht. 500 for the translation, 400 for MFA legalisation, 60 baht for EMS and 1,000 baht service fee.

Well worth it as taxi fees are around 700 baht return.

 

It is possible to do this in the one day, personally I flew down the night before booking an 8am appointment at the Embassy.

 

I can give you the name of a very nice, cheap hotel located within a 5 minute walk of the Embassy and 10 minute walk of the translation offices. Send me a PM for further details.

 

 

Thanks a lot...tanoshi I'll send you a message shortly.. Much appreciated

+1 for Express Translation:

 

http://www.expresstranslationservice.com/cms.php?id_cms=6