Married In Bangkok Last Week

[mekka]

HEy guys,

Well just arrived back in Phuket after spending 4 days in BKK to get the marriage sorted out. It was quite paqinless apart from a few small problems here and there, im almost sure one could knock it all off in one day if they had the energy.

First off i arrived at the Australian Embassy and picked up the Stat Dec form for freedom to marry, filled it out, and had the embassy staff witness it (all up took about 20mins), then around the corner (walking distance) to ABC translation to get it translated to Thai..(took about one hour) Then on instruction of the Translation staff i head to the Dept Foreign Affairs, which was about an hour in the Taxi from the translation office..once there it was packed with a few hundred people in the waiting hall, you have two options, 400baht for 2 day turnaround on the certification of the translated papers or you can pay 800baht for emergency/express service which takes 2 hours, i chose express, all in all it took about 3 Hours to get this all certified...then your all done and u just need to visit the Amphur office of choice to register the marriage...i chose to do this the next day as i was exhausted but you could easily do it in one day.

Registering the marriage took about an hour in the Amphur office...had some problems becayuse i didnt have any witness's so i spent a day looking for some, i just asked the staff at the hotel i was staying at and they arranged 2 people for me. So that was it from Start to finish...hope this helps anyone planning on tieing the not in Bangkok.

[gburns57au]

Thanks for that Mekka, I am sure that your experience would be of assistance to others....

and congrats on the wedding.

[fishhooks]

Hi mekka,

Will be doing the same thing ourselves during the next week or so.

Was the pricing for translation reasonable at this ABC place?

Is it actually required for "2" witness's, thats fine but I just wasn't sure of this number. Some on the Forums refer to the fact that a translator is required, but as my wife is quite fluent in Thai/English I'm also not sure about this extra translator!!!

Where in BKK, did you do this?

[gburns57au]

Hi mekka,

Will be doing the same thing ourselves during the next week or so.

Was the pricing for translation reasonable at this ABC place?

Is it actually required for "2" witness's, thats fine but I just wasn't sure of this number. Some on the Forums refer to the fact that a translator is required, but as my wife is quite fluent in Thai/English I'm also not sure about this extra translator!!!

Where in BKK, did you do this?

Fishhooks.....

AFAIK, and this is my take on it.....If your wife can translate for you then there is no need for a third party translator...I believe that the requirement is that both parties have a clear understanding of the process...perhaps you could also enquire at the Amphur regarding this and report back to us.

[Gimbo]

When me and the wife did this in October, there was no need for any witnesses. But on form I filled out at the embassy, stating my income, that I was legally free to marry etc...I had to put in the name of two people. So just put in the names of some friends back in Norway.

Cost of translation: We did it at the translation agency just across the road from the Department of Concullar Affairs in Lak si, it was 300 baht. Done in half an hour, and they even served us a cup of tea while we waited...

[david96]

When me and the wife did this in October, there was no need for any witnesses. But on form I filled out at the embassy, stating my income, that I was legally free to marry etc...I had to put in the name of two people. So just put in the names of some friends back in Norway.

Cost of translation: We did it at the translation agency just across the road from the Department of Concullar Affairs in Lak si, it was 300 baht. Done in half an hour, and they even served us a cup of tea while we waited...

The documents that you sign when you register your marriage are witnessed by Amphur officers. As all questioning is carried out in Thai and all parties must understand what is being said you may need an interpreter. All this is documented in Thai script.

You can get these documents translated into you own language at a translation office at a later date.

[Gimbo]

When me and the wife did this in October, there was no need for any witnesses. But on form I filled out at the embassy, stating my income, that I was legally free to marry etc...I had to put in the name of two people. So just put in the names of some friends back in Norway.

Cost of translation: We did it at the translation agency just across the road from the Department of Concullar Affairs in Lak si, it was 300 baht. Done in half an hour, and they even served us a cup of tea while we waited...

The documents that you sign when you register your marriage are witnessed by Amphur officers. As all questioning is carried out in Thai and all parties must understand what is being said you may need an interpreter. All this is documented in Thai script.

You can get these documents translated into you own language at a translation office at a later date.

Well they did not ask me that many questions, and I was lucky in that the Amphur officer spoke passable Englsih, and my wife clued me in on the crucial bits.

There was however one episode when a senior officer came over and wanted to refuse to issue the marriage certificate. Her reason was that another Thai and farang couple had been there a month ago, without the required documentation. The bride to be had raised hel_l, and caused quite some loss of face in that actual Amphur office. So now she did not want to issue more wedding certificates to these girls that marry with farang.

Luckilly my wife can be quite charming and was exctremely polite with the old dragon, and before we left it was all smiles. Even the old battle axe had a few laughs.

[wileycoyote]

Congratulations mekka !

May you have a long and happy marriage together

Best Wishes

Wiley Coyote

[mekka]

Hey guys, in response to a few questions...

The translation cost me 600baht per page (1 double sided page so 1200baht) done in 45mins

We first tried to regsiter the marriage at the Amphur office near KohSan...no luck as they said we HAD to have 2 witness's and they would not witness it themselves, so then we went to Ratchatewi Amphur, theyre computer system was down...so we went to Phayatai and theyre system was down also, so we gave up for that day, next day we head back to Ratchatewi, and the one person who handles the marriages was on Holiday hahah, went to Phayathai with one witness and got it all done, although i was never once asked a single question....wondering what the interpreter is needed for?

Thanks for your wishes guys!

If anyone needs any more detailed info dont hesitate to msg me.

[fishhooks]

Gimbo:

My thanks to you and everyone, this topic is getting on well with info for all of us at this time and I will certainly post back with the results of what I find over the next week or so.

Can you just clarify this address.............Cost of translation: We did it at the translation agency just across the road from the Department of Concullar Affairs in Lak si, it was 300 baht. Done in half an hour, and they even served us a cup of tea while we waited...

What is the Department of Concullar Affairs and is Lak si a suburb of Bangkok. Sorry I don't know Bangkok very well !!!!

[kennkate]

Congratulations to you Both. Am sending Best wishes for a long and Happy life together.

[gburns57au]

Gimbo:

My thanks to you and everyone, this topic is getting on well with info for all of us at this time and I will certainly post back with the results of what I find over the next week or so.

Can you just clarify this address.............Cost of translation: We did it at the translation agency just across the road from the Department of Concullar Affairs in Lak si, it was 300 baht. Done in half an hour, and they even served us a cup of tea while we waited...

What is the Department of Concullar Affairs and is Lak si a suburb of Bangkok. Sorry I don't know Bangkok very well !!!!

Dept of Consular Affairs I think he meant...... Department of Consular Affairs 123 Moo 3, Changwattana Road, Kwang Toong Son Hong, Khet Laksi, Bangkok Tel. (+66-2) 5751061, (+66-2)-5751057; Office hours: 08:30 – 15:30

It is up towards the old airport.

[fishhooks]

Okay, found the Consular Affairs place after the usual taxi business of not understanding address's even with Thai wife translating between Thai & English, very frustrating.

Not a 'too bad' experience. After establishing the correct floor, went with one of the many 'Translator' type people to their office just over the road and had my docs translated. Having been divorced in AUS., I needed this divorce form together with the Stat Dec, previously certified at the AUS Embassy done.

Thus 2 documents, costing 800B all up for translation. I think if I had have had more time up my sleeve, may have been able to look around and save a hundred or so.

The cost at the AUS Embassy last week was 1500B for the 2 docs.

Anyway, back to the C A office and handed everything in about 1330.

To note here: Because of the 2 documents to be certified (whereas many would just have the 1 Stat Dec) the cost is doubled, so to have it done on the day without the need to go back, the total was 2 X 800, thus 1600B.

Took just over 1 hour and pleased at not having to venture out that way again.

[gburns57au]

Glad to hear you got it sorted.....

[erikr_]

Okay, found the Consular Affairs place after the usual taxi business of not understanding address's even with Thai wife translating between Thai & English, very frustrating.

Not a 'too bad' experience. After establishing the correct floor, went with one of the many 'Translator' type people to their office just over the road and had my docs translated. Having been divorced in AUS., I needed this divorce form together with the Stat Dec, previously certified at the AUS Embassy done.

Thus 2 documents, costing 800B all up for translation. I think if I had have had more time up my sleeve, may have been able to look around and save a hundred or so.

The cost at the AUS Embassy last week was 1500B for the 2 docs.

Anyway, back to the C A office and handed everything in about 1330.

To note here: Because of the 2 documents to be certified (whereas many would just have the 1 Stat Dec) the cost is doubled, so to have it done on the day without the need to go back, the total was 2 X 800, thus 1600B.

Took just over 1 hour and pleased at not having to venture out that way again.

i remember paying 200 per page in the past, so should not be more then 300 now. Do not forget to get your marriage licence translated and then back to chengwattana again to get it stamped as well

[fishhooks]

Okay, thanks for that, almost forgot that the 'big' certificate needs to go through the reverse process to be included in the Spouse Application.

The translation agency's around the Consular Affairs Office, were actually quoting quite low prices of around 200 Baht for Thai-English translations. They mostly said that it was about double the price to go English-Thai.

At the moment having trouble in Korat finding a translation service to do a Thai-English translation of a child's birth certificate, needed for the medical exam!

Seems there aint too many requirements for translation here, which suprises me being the second largest city!

[gary773]

Got married this week in Bkk.

Went to british embassy ofr the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry. Walked across the road (over the overpass that leads to Ploen Chit BTS station) and went to a translation place at the bottom of the steps for the overpass.

I stated that I wanted some translattion done and to arrange a marriage. Got escorted up to their office (4th floor) and negotiated a proice of 5,000 baht for evything.

Service from these guys was great, they collected the Affirmation doc from the embassy, arranged all translation and legal stuff. All we had to do was arrive at their office the day after submitting the Affirmation to the embassy and they did the rest. They even escorted us and paid for the taxis to the registrar and back. Ceremony, legal, registration, witnesses etc all arranged in under 24 hours for an all in cost of 5,000 baht!

I know you can do all of this for yourself but this was just so easy, and for me, well worth the money!

[gburns57au]

Got married this week in Bkk.

Went to british embassy ofr the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry. Walked across the road (over the overpass that leads to Ploen Chit BTS station) and went to a translation place at the bottom of the steps for the overpass.

I stated that I wanted some translattion done and to arrange a marriage. Got escorted up to their office (4th floor) and negotiated a proice of 5,000 baht for evything.

Service from these guys was great, they collected the Affirmation doc from the embassy, arranged all translation and legal stuff. All we had to do was arrive at their office the day after submitting the Affirmation to the embassy and they did the rest. They even escorted us and paid for the taxis to the registrar and back. Ceremony, legal, registration, witnesses etc all arranged in under 24 hours for an all in cost of 5,000 baht!

I know you can do all of this for yourself but this was just so easy, and for me, well worth the money!

To me, it sounds too easy and convenient.....I'd be double checking everything....Not saying anything is wrong but I get suss when the control is taken out of ones own hands.

[david96]

Got married this week in Bkk.

Went to british embassy ofr the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry. Walked across the road (over the overpass that leads to Ploen Chit BTS station) and went to a translation place at the bottom of the steps for the overpass.

I stated that I wanted some translattion done and to arrange a marriage. Got escorted up to their office (4th floor) and negotiated a proice of 5,000 baht for evything.

Service from these guys was great, they collected the Affirmation doc from the embassy, arranged all translation and legal stuff. All we had to do was arrive at their office the day after submitting the Affirmation to the embassy and they did the rest. They even escorted us and paid for the taxis to the registrar and back. Ceremony, legal, registration, witnesses etc all arranged in under 24 hours for an all in cost of 5,000 baht!

I know you can do all of this for yourself but this was just so easy, and for me, well worth the money!

That is 8 hrs per day over 3 working days after you applied for and received the Affirmation to Marry from the British Embassy in person. one would think it would be a bit difficult to do it in a 24 hour period as most offices are only open for 8 hours a day if you are lucky.

[fishhooks]

Merry Xmas to all.

Today (25th DEC) my lovely wife and I went to the Thepsathit Amphur and sat in front of a nice lady who fired her computer up and punched many keys on the keyboard.

About 30 minutes later we walked from the Amphur with two wedding certificates in hand.

All very easy and no witness's or translator required.

My only part of the occasion was to say Sawadee Kup to the nice lady at the keyboard.

Thankyou to everyone for the helpful comments over the last few weeks.

Now to the OZ side of the fence!

[david96]

Merry Xmas to all.

Today (25th DEC) my lovely wife and I went to the Thepsathit Amphur and sat in front of a nice lady who fired her computer up and punched many keys on the keyboard.

About 30 minutes later we walked from the Amphur with two wedding certificates in hand.

All very easy and no witness's or translator required.

My only part of the occasion was to say Sawadee Kup to the nice lady at the keyboard.

Thankyou to everyone for the helpful comments over the last few weeks.

Now to the OZ side of the fence!

And the official asked no questions? Eg name , nationality at birth, current nationality, date of birth, name of father, name of mother, country of residence, etc in all about 15 questions in Thai from each party. Did you get a copy of this interrogation (questioning)? Unless you can speak reasonable Thai your interpreter would have been your wife. Did you sign any documents yourself?

And if they were signed by you they would have been witnessed by Amphur officials but maybe not in front of you but at another desk.

[fishhooks]

Geezuz Dave:

Are you trying to get me nervous again?

Yes, wife was translating a few things and I signed a few forms, which including the two Marriage Cert's were taken to another official who witnessed everything.

We have walked away with the two Marriage Cert's and as I have said in another thread; all was done at a computer terminal which even though I don't read Thai, all check box's were OKAYED and the session ended with some further doc's being printed out.

I have already said Sawadee Kup to this lady who smiled nicely.

Please don't make me run back to Thepsathit and make her go over all her work again! I think she may frown a bit!!!

[david96]

Geezuz Dave:

Are you trying to get me nervous again?

Yes, wife was translating a few things and I signed a few forms, which including the two Marriage Cert's were taken to another official who witnessed everything.

We have walked away with the two Marriage Cert's and as I have said in another thread; all was done at a computer terminal which even though I don't read Thai, all check box's were OKAYED and the session ended with some further doc's being printed out.

I have already said Sawadee Kup to this lady who smiled nicely.

Please don't make me run back to Thepsathit and make her go over all her work again! I think she may frown a bit!!!

No fishhooks, I was not trying to frighten you! I was married just over 2 years ago in Bangkok, all was done manually then (2548) they had not computerised their system then.

[Richard W]

Service from these guys was great, they collected the Affirmation doc from the embassy, arranged all translation and legal stuff. All we had to do was arrive at their office the day after submitting the Affirmation to the embassy and they did the rest. They even escorted us and paid for the taxis to the registrar and back. Ceremony, legal, registration, witnesses etc all arranged in under 24 hours for an all in cost of 5,000 baht!

To me, it sounds too easy and convenient.....I'd be double checking everything....Not saying anything is wrong but I get suss when the control is taken out of ones own hands.

The big nightmare being a claim (See Is My Child British...) that your marriage would be invalid if they faked the MFA legalisation stamp. Fortunately, in the long term it would probably not matter if it were not uncovered for over a century, for a UK registry office marriage is apparently not invalidated even by lying about one's immigration status, so your grandchildren's nationality is unlikely to depend on the validity of the marriage.

Edit: Scrub the worry about transmitting nationality. It seems, from this post that your children born in the UK will be British other than by descent - the validity of the marriage is no longer necessary for that.

Edited December 28, 2007 by Richard W

[fishhooks]

David; Thanks for your explanation above.

I've posted another question regarding this Amphur Marriage Ceremony in the other 'Name Change' thread.

It seems this "Interrogation Paper" you refer to is needed by some countries, but no mention in the Australian requirements.

When re-submitting the translated Marriage Certificate to Consular Affairs for certification, they certainly did not mention the Interrogation / Questioning form!

Edited December 28, 2007 by fishhooks

[david96]

David; Thanks for your explanation above.

I've posted another question regarding this Amphur Marriage Ceremony in the other 'Name Change' thread.

It seems this "Interrogation Paper" you refer to is needed by some countries, but no mention in the Australian requirements.

When re-submitting the translated Marriage Certificate to Consular Affairs for certification, they certainly did not mention the Interrogation / Questioning form!

It is a copy of the record that is kept at the Amphur of your interview with the official who carried out the registration, not required by the Australian authorities. It is in Thai.

Remember in my wifes case she and myself registered our marriage under a manual system in 2005 that particular office had not yet fully computerised. I asked for a copy.

[fishhooks]

Thanks David:

Seems a bit of contention as to if it will be required, but as it's inconvenient to go back and get it, I'll wait until asked.

Wife has the Thai instructions and I have the English instructions as to what the Embassy requires and the only thing related to the actual marriage seems to be the translated Marriage Certificate, so that is what I will supply at this stage.

As this translated certificate is further verified by the Thai authorities at the Consular Affairs Office, it really should be good enough. (One would think)

Edited January 2, 2008 by fishhooks

[Farma]

Just a couple of things to add that I haven’t noticed in the thread. Excuse me if I had missed them.

The Oz embassy accepts Thai Baht cash only as payment for the Stat Declaration.

For the stat dec you need to know your wife’s full name, Passport/I.D. number and date of birth.

For the Umphur, ensure you have at least 2 copies of both sides of the Thai ID card and any pages of the house card with entries on them, along with copies of the photo page of your passport. They didn’t require photo copies of the entry card or visa page.

At Umphur Bangrak there is a shop a couple of doors down the street with photocopy facilities. No witnesses are needed and the 2 Australian referee details from the stat dec can be used when filling out the marriage paperwork.

They also ask your wife to make 4 photo copies of the marriage paperwork which they then officially stamp so you can use for visas etc at a later date. They also provide a stamped copy of the stat dec and translation. The original stat dec and translation are kept by the Umphur.

They also provide a nice red or blue folder with your marriage certificates and happily take photos, free of charge, of the happy couple, so take your camera with you. They have a nice area set up with a trishaw and flowers for the photos.