The dreaded 12 month Marriage Extension - Samut Prakan

[KruAlastair]

I'd like some clarity and any tips as to what to do and prepare in my situation for the 12 month marriage extension.  
Here's my background with some questions:

• I have never done this extension before at any IO in Thailand. So have absolutely no idea about anything in this process, just some rough info on documents that would be needed.  I have asked agents and they seem to not help with this kind of service for some reason.
• I have had 400k sitting in a Thai bank since January.
• I have 9 year old daughter (so is a witness needed? will she need to also be present?)
• I have a rental agreement and live in a condominium (do the immigration police even visit condos? does the wife and child have to be present whilst they are visiting?)
• Am still married but haven't done anything in terms of updating any kind of marriage documents.  I can't even remember the amphur in Bangkok where we registered at but it wasn't the one where we are now.  So if I do need the documents updated could I do it any any amphur?
• The marriage visa I am on now expires August 1st....when is the best time to kick start this process?
• If anyone knows the current and updated checklist for this extension for this particular office, Samut Prakan, I'd be grateful if you'd share, it'd save me a trip. 

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post about hearsay alleged corrupt incident at an unknown immigration office.

 

[BrandonJT]

1 hour ago, KruAlastair said:

I'd like some clarity and any tips as to what to do and prepare in my situation for the 12 month marriage extension.  
Here's my background with some questions:

• I have never done this extension before at any IO in Thailand. So have absolutely no idea about anything in this process, just some rough info on documents that would be needed.  I have asked agents and they seem to not help with this kind of service for some reason.
• I have had 400k sitting in a Thai bank since January.
• I have 9 year old daughter (so is a witness needed? will she need to also be present?)
• I have a rental agreement and live in a condominium (do the immigration police even visit condos? does the wife and child have to be present whilst they are visiting?)
• Am still married but haven't done anything in terms of updating any kind of marriage documents.  I can't even remember the amphur in Bangkok where we registered at but it wasn't the one where we are now.  So if I do need the documents updated could I do it any any amphur?
• The marriage visa I am on now expires August 1st....when is the best time to kick start this process?
• If anyone knows the current and updated checklist for this extension for this particular office, Samut Prakan, I'd be grateful if you'd share, it'd save me a trip. 

I can't answer all the questions, especially because each immigration office is different.  Every immigration office will accept an application for extension 30 days before your existing stamp expires, and some will accept it at 45 days.  So around 45 days early, go to the immigration office and ask them for their handout for a marriage extension, so you can get the exact requirements for your office, and you can find out if you can apply soon or have to wait until 30 days.

 

Agents don't work with marriage extensions because the local immigration offices cannot process them. They are all sent to regional HQ for approval.

Your daughter should not be a factor as you are not applying for an extension based on supporting a child.

If there is a visit, normally they would want both you and your spouse there. This is something they will plan ahead, it's not normally a surprise visit, as they want you both there and sometimes even a neighbor or two, or maybe juristic person if you're in a condo.

I believe you can get your marriage certificate from any amphur.

[jeffandgop]

4 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

Agents don't work with marriage extensions because the local immigration offices cannot process them. They are all sent to regional HQ for approval.

Not correct.  I use an agent here in CM & the application is sent to and returned by the regional or Bangkok office....

[Peterw42]

6 hours ago, KruAlastair said:

I'd like some clarity and any tips as to what to do and prepare in my situation for the 12 month marriage extension.  
Here's my background with some questions:

• I have never done this extension before at any IO in Thailand. So have absolutely no idea about anything in this process, just some rough info on documents that would be needed.  I have asked agents and they seem to not help with this kind of service for some reason.
• I have had 400k sitting in a Thai bank since January.
• I have 9 year old daughter (so is a witness needed? will she need to also be present?)
• I have a rental agreement and live in a condominium (do the immigration police even visit condos? does the wife and child have to be present whilst they are visiting?)
• Am still married but haven't done anything in terms of updating any kind of marriage documents.  I can't even remember the amphur in Bangkok where we registered at but it wasn't the one where we are now.  So if I do need the documents updated could I do it any any amphur?
• The marriage visa I am on now expires August 1st....when is the best time to kick start this process?
• If anyone knows the current and updated checklist for this extension for this particular office, Samut Prakan, I'd be grateful if you'd share, it'd save me a trip. 

As others have said, its usually best to check the requirements of the office you will be attending.

Its not usually the drama people make it out to be. I do a marriage extension in Pattaya every year, they require all the usual documents, passport, tm30 etc, Bank letter stating 400k funds for 60 days,  also want a kor ror 2 (proof still married) from the local ampher . Photographs showing you and wife at your house (standing in front of the letterbox showing house number, sitting on the lounge etc, i submit the same photos every year). After submitting the documents immigration visits your house in the next couple of days, just to check you haven't hired a local bargirl to pretend to be your wife. a couple of weeks later go back to immigration and get 1 year stamp.

I literally do it all in one day, start at ampher when it opens, then to the bank, then to immi office.

[Tod Daniels]

Samut Prakan allows extensions when you have 45 days or less left on your current stamp. 
 

I would say seeing as you've never gotten an in country extension at that office (or any office it would appear 😮 ) that you and your thai significant other should slog on over to the immigration office and get the hand out listing the requirements at that specific office as far as, marriage documents, TM30, lease, land lord i/d, wife i/d, house book, bank letter, bank statement updated bank book, photos, map etc  

Believe me going there to get the hand out will save you multiple trips there and back if you don't get it right the first time 

You will apply for the yearly extension, you will pay the 1900baht, get a 30 day under consideration stamp, then go back on that date and they will ink the year extension into your passport.    

This is NOT an immigration office specific list of requirements, BUT it is a good solid general list of what can be asked for.

With over 80 offices in the country that's why I suggested you go get the hand out specific to that office.. 

[proton]

when you go in the reception desk has extension line on the left and 90 day reports and re entry on the right. The girl on extensions is very good and will go through all the paperwork before giving you a ticket, there are now 3 extra forms to fill in all in Thai sign at the desk. TM30 essential. After that it's waiting to be called at the windows 1 and 2 downstairs. No parking now as they are building on the old car park at city Hall next door.

[DrJack54]

Here is one report that is Samut Prachan specific. 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1337120-what-are-docs-required-for-non-o-married-extension-please/#findComment-19201814

 

Here is guide from Samut Prachan immigration. 

http://www.samutprakanimmigration.go.th/list-of-documents-for-support-thai-wife/

[KruAlastair]

8 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

As others have said, its usually best to check the requirements of the office you will be attending.

Its not usually the drama people make it out to be. I do a marriage extension in Pattaya every year, they require all the usual documents, passport, tm30 etc, Bank letter stating 400k funds for 60 days,  also want a kor ror 2 (proof still married) from the local ampher . Photographs showing you and wife at your house (standing in front of the letterbox showing house number, sitting on the lounge etc, i submit the same photos every year). After submitting the documents immigration visits your house in the next couple of days, just to check you haven't hired a local bargirl to pretend to be your wife. a couple of weeks later go back to immigration and get 1 year stamp.

I literally do it all in one day, start at ampher when it opens, then to the bank, then to immi office.

Thanks for the info, what documents do you need to ask for at the amphur and bank? Is it a quick and easy process? 

[BrandonJT]

1 hour ago, KruAlastair said:

Thanks for the info, what documents do you need to ask for at the amphur and bank? Is it a quick and easy process? 

The list you get from your immigration office will tell you what documents you need to ask for.

[Tod Daniels]

16 hours ago, KruAlastair said:

I have never done this extension before at any IO in Thailand. So have absolutely no idea about anything in this process

 

1 hour ago, KruAlastair said:

Thanks for the info, what documents do you need to ask for at the amphur and bank?

You seem averse to actually going to your immigration office and asking for the hand out listing the exact documents required so you can pull this extension off with one try (rather than the several attempts many people make <- people who don't go get the hand out 😉 

If you've been married more than a year, and were married in thailand you need to get an updated Kor Ror 2 <- the thai marriage document that looks like a form all in thai, costs 20 baht at the Amphur (no need to go to the one you were married at, any Amphur can access the data and print it out for you 

At the bank you need to have the "standard bank letter" <- that's a 5 line letter with your name, the account number, your passport and the balance of the account the day they write the letter 
You also need to request a 3 month detail transaction report <- that shows every transaction in that account so immigrations can see you kept the balance over 400K baht for 2 months before you apply for the yearly extension 
AND 
You need to update your bank book on the day you go to apply for the extension so it shows the balance in the account on that day 

here's what the 'standard bank letter' and a Kor Ror 2 look like