Divorce

[ineedhelp]

I hope this is the right room for this question. I'm kind of new to posting, and a good friend referred me to this forum.

I married a Thai in 2000 in Bangkok, and registered my marriage at the American Embassy in Bkk. In 2004, we seperated and both moved to the US. Her to California and I to Florida. During that 8 months she filed for a divorce (using an American lawyer's services). I complied and signed the papers. <<This was about a year ago.

My ex and I remain friendly and stay in reasonable touch. She is still in California (and has remarried). I am in Seoul, S. Korea and want to remarry (another Thai).

In order to remarry, naturally I must be legally divorced in Thai. I found out recently that I am not, so am making plans to go to Thai to take care of this. Before I book my ticket, however I want to make sure I know what I am up against. (I can only get a week off of work at a time).

The Thai government (info. obtained by my fiancee) has made the process sound simple enough.

After I register divorce at American embassy in bangkok, what is next? "You have to take the certificate from American Embassy to prove that you already divorced and now your status is "SINGLE" and bring that certificate to Thai Consul. They all translate that certificate to Thai language... 400 Baht."

Next I contacted the Thai Embassy in Los Angeles. They wrote:

"In order to get your divorce become legal in Thailand, the divorce paper has to be certified by the Secretary of State that your divorce has been filed, translated in Thai and certified by Thai Embassy or consulate that cover the State that your divorce has been filed."

And finally my ex-wife believes:

I have found out that I can't just file over there (Thai) and sent it to you cos it is take a long time and money too.

You do need a lawyer to file for you in Thailand can't just go to the Court and do it your self like here in the USA. Have to translate all the paper it is a pain in the butt!!

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I have yet to get a reply from the American embassy in Bkk, but am expecting yet another perspective!

Anyone been through this and can advise??

Thanks in advance.

-Tony

[Mobi]

This may not help, but it is worth mentioning.

I had a similar problem in getting my UK divorce from a Thai recognised in Thailand. In my case it was my wife who needed to establish her 'divorced' status.

For us, we solved the problem by going to an Amphur and having a Thai divorce. I took a lawyer with me just in case, and it took a few hours of waiting around, and we both received shiny new Thai divorce certificates. Of course I had to be careful that I didn't agree any settlement of assets etc, as part of the divorce - which is why I took the lawyer with me.

I actually took advice here before doing the Thai divorce, and was advised it was the easiest solution to the problem.

Obviously you would have to get your ex to Thailand to do this - but presumably she comes here now and then?

[ineedhelp]

Yeh, unfortunately she has no current plans to return. She's too tied up with work and sorting out her US visa status. But thanks.

[ineedhelp]

I just received a reply from the American embassy in Bkk:

Consular officers are not able to authenticate documents issued in the United States or abroad. Please find attached further information regarding the correct authentication process for vital records and academic credentials. If the matter is urgent, some agencies will accept sworn affidavits taken by a consular officer. In such a case, you will fill out a blank affidavit swearing to the facts of the document which you have been instructed to have certified. Under penalty of perjury, you must affirm that these facts are true. Please be advised that perjury is a serious offense. We would like to also emphasize that this is not the correct procedure, and we only offer this as a one time courtesy to you.

I hope someone who has been through this can advise me further.

[Guest jonzboy]

from the search engine

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=57606

but take my advice, don't get married again, been there, done that, can't afford the T shirt