Freedom To Marry

[Tufty]

I have just returned from the Embassy where they are processing my affirmation of freedom to marry, I decided to use one of the visa companies who sort out the whole process rather than pay taxis hotels etc, anyway i was quoted 15000 baht which I paid, later I got a phone call from one of the office staff telling me not to forget my passport when we go to the Embassy to sign the affirmation and also it would cost me 2500 baht fee

I expected the 2500 would have been included in the 15000 I had already paid but apparently not so I paid it, on the way back from the Embassy one of the employees from the visa company informed my girl that she also needs an affirmation of freedom to marry obtainable from the Ampure office where she is registered and it must be produced when we marry

Alternatively if she doesn't want the hassle of going home, we can hand a brown envelope containing 2500 baht under the table and all will be ok and the marriage cert will be issued, I don't like the idea of money under the table so does my girl really need an affirmation of freedom to marry or is someone trying to scam us

Un-trusting Tufty

[sonnyJ]

Don't you need to register a marriage at her Amphuer anyway?

[Mobi]

Don't you need to register a marriage at her Amphuer anyway?

You can get married at any amphur of your choice. Doesn't have to be at her home.

[Mobi]

she also needs an affirmation of freedom to marry obtainable from the Ampure office where she is registered and it must be produced when we marry

Un-trusting Tufty

That's new one on me. Never heard of it, and we certainly didn't need it when I was married.

Sounds like a scam...but who knows?

[Norrad]

This "Visa company" is taking you for a ride. All you need is:

• Affirmation to marry and original Affidavit letter from your embassy (get these translated and certified at the MFA) - Cost depends on embassy, Tanslation should cost no more than 500 Baht, MFA costs 800 baht.
  
• Copy of passport and visa
  
• Copy of her ID card
  
• Copy of her House Registration (Tabien Bahn)
  

Take 2 witnesses or you can pay the officials enough for lunch and they will do it for you (about 300 Baht)

I did it all a few weeks ago and it cost under 5000 Baht to do everything, including transport fees.

ps. She does not need to go home to get anything, if she doesn't have a copy of her Tabien Bahn, she can get a printout done at the office in Bangkok where you get married.

Edited January 17, 2008 by Norrad

[farangkel]

This "Visa company" is taking you for a ride. All you need is:

• Affirmation to marry and original Affidavit letter from your embassy (get these translated and certified at the MFA) - Cost depends on embassy, Tanslation should cost no more than 500 Baht, MFA costs 800 baht.
  
• Copy of passport and visa
  
• Copy of her ID card
  
• Copy of her House Registration (Tabien Bahn)
  

Take 2 witnesses or you can pay the officials enough for lunch and they will do it for you (about 300 Baht)

I did it all a few weeks ago and it cost under 5000 Baht to do everything, including transport fees.

ps. She does not need to go home to get anything, if she doesn't have a copy of her Tabien Bahn, she can get a printout done at the office in Bangkok where you get married.

Agreed. First go to your embassy's website to find out what you need. Do your declaration form (1700 baht) at my embassy - took 1 hour, then off to have it translated (400 baht) Take the translated documents to MFA to be certified (800 baht for rush 2 hours) then off to Bang Rak with her stuff. Officially married in 2 days. I then had the Marriage documents translated into English (400baht) before getting them notarized at my embassy again (1700) baht. Done dusted.

My wife is from Bangkok so it may have been a bit easier than one from upcountry but either way 15000 baht is over the top, especially when you have to pay for all the paperwork extra.

[lopburi3]

Below is quote from the official Public Service Manual

Marriage

Marriage Registration

Regulations

1. A couple must be of legal age (17 years) upon filing for marriage registration, otherwise permission must be granted by a court.

2. Permission from the parents is required for parties under legal age.

3. Both parties must not be registered as married to anyone else (Multiple marriage registration is prohibited).

4. The parties must not be direct blood relatives nor be sister or brother through either parent.

5. Adopting parents shall not be permitted to marry their own adopted child.

6. A widow or divorcee will be permitted to remarry not less than 310 days after the previous marriage has expired, unless

* Has given birth to a child.

* Remarrying the same person.

* Not pregnant, as certified by doctor. (in case of early remarriage)

* Approval to remarry from a court is obtained.

7. No service fee is required whatsoever.

Required Documents

1. Identification Cards of both parties.

2. The House Registration Certificates of both parties.

3. If an alien is registering to be married to a Thai citizen or another alien, he or she is required to submit following documents.

* A copy of their passport.

* A Letter of Certification, issued by an Embassy or Consulate or a Government Organization from their country, regarding the marital status of the person. The Letter must be translated, then certified by the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Procedures

1. Marriage registration can be filed at any District Office or Minor District Office nationwide regardless of the birthplace of the couple.

2. Once the marriage registration is completed, each party will be given a copy of the Marriage Registration Certificate as evidence.

3. If the marriage registration is filed at the District Office located in female's birthplace (where the name is registered on the House Registration Certificate), the title used with the forename and the last name of the female will be changed by the District Officer. The female is required to file for a new Identification Card within 60 days. A service fee of 10 baht is required. If the marriage is registered elsewhere, the female is required to contact the local District Office to change her name and last name, as well as filing for a new Identification Card.

4. If both parties are unable to file for marriage at any District Office of Minor District Office, the couple can submit a request to the Registrar to register their marriage at any location under the supervision of that District Office. The parties filing for marriage are required to provide transportation for the Registrar. A service fee of 200 baht is required.

[Tufty]

Thankyou lopburi3 that seams to spell it out quite clearly