Requirements for a South African to marry in Thailand

[PizzaLover5]

Hello everyone!

 

We are looking for help on what's needed for a South African to legally marry here in Thailand. My fiancee is Canadian and we plan on tying the knot here in Bangkok. My fiancee's needs are pretty straightforward, they just need to show up at the Canadian embassy with their passport to get the affidavit "freedom to marry". I've been told that there are many more steps as a South African.

 

According to the SA embassy in BKK, I need:

 

1. letter of no impediment from the Department of Home Affairs (Pretoria) --> proving my marital status

2. this letter needs to be certified by DIRCO

3. afterwards the letter needs to be stamped at the Thai embassy (Pretoria)

4. lastly, the letter needs to be presented with my passport at the SA embassy in Bangkok

 

Most numbers on the DHA and DIRCO sites do not work, or they never pick up. I have emailed countless people and aside from the embassy in BKK, no one has responded.

 

Please note, I do not intend on registering my marriage with the SA government as we do not plan on leaving Thailand. I am not sure if the steps given by the embassy are necessary if we do not plan on returning to SA. They have also stopped responding after the first email.

 

Are there any South Africans who have gotten married here and could share their experience regarding this process without having to go back home.

 

Many thanks in advance, glad to finally be part of the community ?