My Thai partner and I were married in the USA over a decade ago, and with the new law regarding same sex unions now in effect, would like to have the marriage legally recognized in Thailand. Hoping somebody here might know what we need to do next. (We live in Bangkok and I'm here on an LTR visa, if that makes any difference.) 

Thanks!

Hi Ludlow,

 

My husband did all the paperwork, so I don't know all details. He went to the local district office (Khet in Bangkok or Amphur upcountry) with the documents we had, and asked what is needed. We had to use an official translation company to translate my passport and the marriage certificate into Thai, I remember that. The translations then had to be verified by our embassy, and the certified translations had to be certified again by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consular Department. The translation office arranged for these two certifications for us, they do it as a routine service for a small fee as it is often required. I think this was all, but please double-check with the district office.

 

The district office then changed our status from "single" to "married", and we received a certificate for that. So, it is important to know that we did not get married again, they just acknowledged that we are married already, which was fast. In fact, it was immediate on the day when we brought all the documents and certified translations.

 

As for the visa, I am on a non-quota immigrant visa and am listed in the blue tabien baan. I don't know whether this makes a difference.

On 6/1/2025 at 9:23 AM, onthemoon said:

The district office then changed our status from "single" to "married", and we received a certificate for that. So, it is important to know that we did not get married again, they just acknowledged that we are married already, which was fast. In fact, it was immediate on the day when we brought all the documents and certified translations.

My b/f and I will be heading down that path in the next few weeks. We have a civil partnership certificate [pre-gay marriage in Oz] from the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) and plan to take it to the appropriate Surin office in the next few days.

 

As every Thai government office gives a different answer to almost any question we will check whether (1) civil partnership in Oz counts in Thailand as a 'gay marriage' (2) whether they want us to get it certified by the Oz Embassy (we assume Yes & we'll be in Bangers for a couple of weeks in Dec) (3) whether they want us to translate the doco here or in Bangers ... Depending on the answer to (1) we may need to get married again here [it'll be the 3rd time for us as we were married - unofficially - in a village Buddhist ceremony in 2012] or just recertified ...

 

The delights of Thai bureaucracy. Nothing is certain till it's done.