To be honest, I thought getting all the paperwork sorted, was going to be most difficult part of getting married in Thailand.

 

But I seem to have managed that part without much problem, and it is the booking of the ceremony that is being problematic.

 

Living in the Pattaya area, we just presumed that Banglamung District Office would be the place to go.

 

Wrong.

 

They have made it pretty clear that the do not want Thais marrying Foreigners there.

 

Each visit we make, they add something else to the growing list of requirements we need.

 

Yesterday, it was 6 photos of us together, to show we have been together for a satisfactory length time.

 

This is not a problem, as we have been together 25 years, but i just get the feeling, that the next visit, somthing else will be added.

 

Plus, they have told us, that the appointment will be a minimum of 3 months away, which just seems ridiculous.

 

So, can anyone help me out here, on what other district offices in the area, we could use in the area, and what experiences others have had using any alternatives to Banglamung.

 

Any help here, would much appreciated.

 

 

Sounds like a corrupt Amphoe.

 

Similar experience to friends in Bangkok who found for 5,000 BHT they could buy a magic key to unlock additional requirements and waiting times.
Received their marriage certificates 30 minutes later.

 

You can register at any Amphoe.

3 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Sounds like a corrupt Amphoe.

 

Similar experience to friends in Bangkok who found for 5,000 BHT they could buy a magic key to unlock additional requirements and waiting times.
Received their marriage certificates 30 minutes later.

 

You can register at any Amphoe.

As far as I know on the freedom to marry document it will state in which province you are able to marry.

Therefore you can marry in any Amphur in Chon Buri but not outside of Chon Buri ?

23 minutes ago, mlkik said:

As far as I know on the freedom to marry document it will state in which province you are able to marry.

No such statement of which Province we intended to marry on my 'Affirmation of Freedom to Marry'.

If I recall, we were perhaps asked where we 'intended' to marry, but that does not appear on the affidavit.

27 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

No such statement of which Province we intended to marry on my 'Affirmation of Freedom to Marry'.

If I recall, we were perhaps asked where we 'intended' to marry, but that does not appear on the affidavit.

I have my appointment at the British Embassy next month and I had to state which district we intended to marry and the proposed date of the marriage on the online application.

 

However I obviously have not received my freedom to marry affidavit as my appointment is next month.

1 minute ago, mlkik said:

I have my appointment at the British Embassy next month and I had to state which district we intended to marry and the proposed date of the marriage.

However I obviously have not received my freedom to marry affidavit as my appointment is next month

As I recall, I also had to state which Province we 'intended' to marry, but this did not appear on the affidavit.
Just checked and no mention of where/when we intended to marry.

Perhaps it's changed, would be interested to know.

Just a heads up for British citizens who would like to book an appointment on line. The new appointments are live at 09.00 Thai time on a Monday for the Thursday appointments 45 days in advance and on a Saturday for the Tuesday appointments 45 days in advance.

A follow up, mainly for anyone else thinking of using Banglamung.

I was leaning towards, Sattahip for the marriage ceremony.

But my GF talked me out of it, and said let's just use Banglamung, as she now understood everything they required.

So, we turned up, with two witnesses, which I thought this was ridiculous.

But no, this was a requirement, both witnesses had to be checked, copies of ID cards taken, and would they both swear that they would be available when we got married.

All our paperwork was checked once again, more copies of various bits of paper was required, and she was unhappy that we had just taken a dozen photographs along with us. We had to take them to the nearby copy shop, who copied them for us, and put in the booklet like they wanted, after we had signed them all.

We were there from 8am to 11am, and left with a "we will be in touch"

Since 10 days have passed, GF telephoned them today, and was told that they will be in touch, sometime in 2 months, when a date can be booked then.

I have never came across anything like this.

Back to square one, again.

Get your girlfriend to ask about an 'express service or is there another way" there is always a solution in Thailand

1 hour ago, Scottie37 said:

A follow up, mainly for anyone else thinking of using Banglamung.

I was leaning towards, Sattahip for the marriage ceremony.

But my GF talked me out of it, and said let's just use Banglamung, as she now understood everything they required.

So, we turned up, with two witnesses, which I thought this was ridiculous.

But no, this was a requirement, both witnesses had to be checked, copies of ID cards taken, and would they both swear that they would be available when we got married.

All our paperwork was checked once again, more copies of various bits of paper was required, and she was unhappy that we had just taken a dozen photographs along with us. We had to take them to the nearby copy shop, who copied them for us, and put in the booklet like they wanted, after we had signed them all.

We were there from 8am to 11am, and left with a "we will be in touch"

Since 10 days have passed, GF telephoned them today, and was told that they will be in touch, sometime in 2 months, when a date can be booked then.

I have never came across anything like this.

Back to square one, again.

I am also in the process of getting married and our local Amphur just outside Udon Thani city told us, once we have the freedom to marry affidavit, had it translated and legalised to bring all the documents in and submit for a check .Then come back the next day and if the Amphur head is not busy he will marry us.

Meanwhile, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden (close to Pattaya), as always, will marry 99 couples on the back of elephants, on Valentines Day.

🙄

2 minutes ago, mlkik said:

I am also in the process of getting married and our local Amphur just outside Udon Thani city told us, once we have the freedom to marry affidavit, had it translated and legalised to bring all the documents in and submit for a check .Then come back the next day and if the Amphur head is not busy he will marry us.

That's standard, the registrar can be busy, and sometimes an appointment may be necessary.

Fortunately, our timing must have been lucky, as the registrar was available and immediately registered our marriage there and then.

1 hour ago, Scottie37 said:

All our paperwork was checked once again, more copies of various bits of paper was required, and she was unhappy that we had just taken a dozen photographs along with us. We had to take them to the nearby copy shop, who copied them for us, and put in the booklet like they wanted, after we had signed them all.

We were there from 8am to 11am, and left with a "we will be in touch"

Since 10 days have passed, GF telephoned them today, and was told that they will be in touch, sometime in 2 months, when a date can be booked then.

I have never came across anything like this.

Back to square one, again.

It's well known that Amphoes in Bangkok and Pattaya are corrupt and give you the run around, but for an express service fee, same day is possible.

You can register the marriage at any Amphoe.

2 hours ago, mlkik said:

I am also in the process of getting married and our local Amphur just outside Udon Thani city told us, once we have the freedom to marry affidavit, had it translated and legalised to bring all the documents in and submit for a check .Then come back the next day and if the Amphur head is not busy he will marry us.

I would highly recommend to ask at your local Amphur if certified copy of your passport is required.

I also thought I had all documents in my hand, but in Phuket they have requirement about certified copy of passport and since my country dont have embassy or consulate in Thailand I couldnt get it.

Luckily we called to Amphur in Isaan where my wife is from and they didnt had that requirement. It took about 30-40min to register our marriage and two of Amphur`s staff were our witnesses.

5 minutes ago, aluc said:

I would highly recommend to ask at your local Amphur if certified copy of your passport is required.

They do require a freedom to marry affidavit and a certified copy of my passport.

Both need to be translated into Thai and legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I have an appointment at the British Embassy, a translation service appointment and an appointment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Not sure how things are going now at MoFA, but when I was there to legalize my documents even with appointment I was basically all day there, because agents will be served before anyone else and they are going there with massive piles of papers.

13 minutes ago, mlkik said:

They do require a freedom to marry affidavit and a certified copy of my passport.

Both need to be translated into Thai and legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I have an appointment at the British Embassy, a translation service appointment and an appointment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

7 minutes ago, aluc said:

Not sure how things are going now at MoFA, but when I was there to legalize my documents even with appointment I was basically all day there, because agents will be served before anyone else and they are going there with massive piles of papers.

If you don't reside in Bangkok, most if not all translators will offer a service to translate the documents, have them legalised by the MOFA and return to your home address in around 5 working days via EMS. I've previous recommended Express Translation services to a number of members, who all reported a speedy and efficient service.

Address: 866 Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

Phone: 084 656 2459

12 minutes ago, aluc said:

Not sure how things are going now at MoFA, but when I was there to legalize my documents even with appointment I was basically all day there, because agents will be served before anyone else and they are going there with massive piles of papers.

I have the Express same day service and appointment time of 10.00 am when they open.

I am attending the one on 6th floor Central World in Bangkok city center and once the documents have been submitted and given pre approval , we can go for something to eat and go back to our hotel which is 2 stops away on the BTS.

Then return later in the day to collect the documents.

I hope your experience will be better than mine. I also had appointment 10am, but submitted documents just before 4pm and almost lost my flight back to Phuket.

34 minutes ago, aluc said:

Not sure how things are going now at MoFA, but when I was there to legalize my documents even with appointment I was basically all day there, because agents will be served before anyone else and they are going there with massive piles of papers.

Did mine at Central Festival, Pattaya, and we were done within 30 minutes, and picked everything up again, 2 days later.

1 hour ago, aluc said:

I hope your experience will be better than mine. I also had appointment 10am, but submitted documents just before 4pm and almost lost my flight back to Phuket.

Was your appointment for the express service and was it also at Central World ?

Cant remember what service I had, it was 4 years ago, but I had to collect my documents few days after submitting.

I was at Department of Consular Affairs on Cheangwatthana road.

1 hour ago, aluc said:

Cant remember what service I had, it was 4 years ago, but I had to collect my documents few days after submitting.

I was at Department of Consular Affairs on Cheangwatthana road.

That used to be the only legalisation office in Bangkok - it's changed now with multi consular offices to choose from.

You could just walk in, no appointments necessary, and receive your legalised documents same day or a couple of days later depending on how busy they were and if the translations didn't require any 'adjustments'.

2 hours ago, aluc said:

Cant remember what service I had, it was 4 years ago, but I had to collect my documents few days after submitting.

I was at Department of Consular Affairs on Cheangwatthana road.

Then you had regular service which is 2 working days or longer.

Express service is more expensive but is same day.

On 12/24/2025 at 3:15 PM, Liquorice said:

As I recall, I also had to state which Province we 'intended' to marry, but this did not appear on the affidavit.
Just checked and no mention of where/when we intended to marry.

Perhaps it's changed, would be interested to know.

I have just been to the British Embassy and received my freedom to marry affidavit and can confirm that the Province where we intend to marry is on the affidavit along with the proposed month of the ceremony.

On 12/24/2025 at 2:43 PM, Liquorice said:

No such statement of which Province we intended to marry on my 'Affirmation of Freedom to Marry'.

If I recall, we were perhaps asked where we 'intended' to marry, but that does not appear on the affidavit.

It was stated on mine.

Although the month was stated as January the local amphur in Buriram were happy to do it in December.

15 minutes ago, mlkik said:

I have just been to the British Embassy and received my freedom to marry affidavit and can confirm that the Province where we intend to marry is on the affidavit along with the proposed month of the ceremony.

It was also stated on mine.

Although the month was stated as January the local amphur in Buriram were happy to do it in December.

7 hours ago, mlkik said:

I have just been to the British Embassy and received my freedom to marry affidavit and can confirm that the Province where we intend to marry is on the affidavit along with the proposed month of the ceremony.

7 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

It was stated on mine.

Although the month was stated as January the local amphur in Buriram were happy to do it in December.

It's changed then since the days I married.

I had to download the 'divorced' template, then type it out adding the personal details, then take it to the Embassy.
On arrival, I recall, in the few days since I'd typed out the affidavit, they'd changed some wording, so I had to retype it again using one of the Embassies computers in the waiting area.

On 12/24/2025 at 8:50 AM, Scottie37 said:

To be honest, I thought getting all the paperwork sorted, was going to be most difficult part of getting married in Thailand.

 

But I seem to have managed that part without much problem, and it is the booking of the ceremony that is being problematic.

 

Living in the Pattaya area, we just presumed that Banglamung District Office would be the place to go.

 

Wrong.

 

They have made it pretty clear that the do not want Thais marrying Foreigners there.

 

Each visit we make, they add something else to the growing list of requirements we need.

 

Yesterday, it was 6 photos of us together, to show we have been together for a satisfactory length time.

 

This is not a problem, as we have been together 25 years, but i just get the feeling, that the next visit, somthing else will be added.

 

Plus, they have told us, that the appointment will be a minimum of 3 months away, which just seems ridiculous.

 

So, can anyone help me out here, on what other district offices in the area, we could use in the area, and what experiences others have had using any alternatives to Banglamung.

 

Any help here, would much appreciated.

 

 

I had a very similar experience somewhere up North.

I had to go through an agency (tea money) to be able to get an appointment at the Amphur and get married. No other choice. Unless you're willing to travel around in other provinces looking for an available spot at another amphur (no guaranteed success).

Good luck.

7 hours ago, pub2022 said:

I had a very similar experience somewhere up North.

I had to go through an agency (tea money) to be able to get an appointment at the Amphur and get married. No other choice. Unless you're willing to travel around in other provinces looking for an available spot at another amphur (no guaranteed success).

Good luck.

If you obtain a freedom to marry affidavit from the British Embassy is states which province you intend to marry in.

Therefore you will not be able to use the document in other provinces.