Registering A Marriage In Bangkok

[universe2000]

I will be getting married and will register my marriage in Thailand. I would also like to register my marriage in my home country, US.

1) After I obtain the marriage certificate (Kor Ror.2) and marriage Registration Papers (Kor Ror.3), can my Thai wife translate the document or do I have to go to an official translator (before I visit the Embassy)?

2) What is the advantage of registering the marriage at the Embassy now or later? If I wait 6 months, is there any issue?

[tripplejjj]

I will be getting married and will register my marriage in Thailand. I would also like to register my marriage in my home country, US.

1) After I obtain the marriage certificate (Kor Ror.2) and marriage Registration Papers (Kor Ror.3), can my Thai wife translate the document or do I have to go to an official translator (before I visit the Embassy)?

2) What is the advantage of registering the marriage at the Embassy now or later? If I wait 6 months, is there any issue?

1) You need an official translator from an authorized translation agency. Remember that the marriage certificate is a very important official document.

2) I have never registered my marriage at the US Embassy. The only reason I would do right away would be if there were benefits that my wife was entitled but the US laws would not backdate such benefits. I have claimed benefits for my wife using just the original Thai marriage certificate with an official English translation.

[Gumballl]

There is no need that I know of that would require you to register your marriage in the US, if you are already married in Thailand. The US, along with many other countries, recognizes legal marriages that take place in Thailand. A legal marriage in Thailand takes place at the Amphur, not at the Thai wife's residence.

[universe2000]

Thanks for the comments.

I think the translation I was reading about was related to the marriage documents which are in Thai. My wife can translate those documents before I sign them.

The US Embassy website doesn't have any information about submitting the marriage certificate, so I guess they see no benefit either.

For filing a US tax return maybe there is a purpose to have the marriage registered with the US so they know my wife's name if I file a joint return.

[tripplejjj]

Thanks for the comments.

I think the translation I was reading about was related to the marriage documents which are in Thai. My wife can translate those documents before I sign them.

The US Embassy website doesn't have any information about submitting the marriage certificate, so I guess they see no benefit either.

For filing a US tax return maybe there is a purpose to have the marriage registered with the US so they know my wife's name if I file a joint return.

Sure, your wife can translate the marriage documents before you sign them. I suppose you must completely trust her since you are about to marry her. (This is probably the best time for you to translate your prenuptial agreements to her. Just kidding!)

Seriously, the IRS doesn't required or want a marriage certificate from any couple who are legally married in order to file a joint return. To file an income tax with the IRS, you need to have a Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS. My wife can't get a SSN because she is not qualified by law (not a US citizen and no requirement by other agencies to have one to receive a benefit.) so she had to obtain an ITIN from the IRS. She submitted the application for an ITIN and received it. (I decided to send the IRS her original passport as a supporting document and was surprised to have the IRS sent it back in the mail to Thailand in less than 4 weeks. I was totally impressed. Two weeks after that, she received her ITIN in a letter from the IRS.) Just remember that the ITIN from the IRS is used only by the IRS when it comes to tax issues. If you are going to file a state tax then you will need another one from the state government.

The IRS & ITIN

The Social Security Administration & SSN

[ubonjoe]

Thanks for the comments.

I think the translation I was reading about was related to the marriage documents which are in Thai. My wife can translate those documents before I sign them.

The US Embassy website doesn't have any information about submitting the marriage certificate, so I guess they see no benefit either.

For filing a US tax return maybe there is a purpose to have the marriage registered with the US so they know my wife's name if I file a joint return.

I take it you have already been to the embassy an gotten the affidavit that says you can get married that you need to get married at the amphoe and have had it translated and certified by the MFA.

There no way to resister a marriage with the US goverment. Marriage is a state/city registration and as far as I know the they don't do registration of marriages that were done elsewhere. The only way to register a marriage in the US that I know of is to go there and get married again.

[abq2020]

Today I visited the Foreign Ministry to verify requirements for 'lawful' marriage to a Thai lady and the registering of same. I was told that a criminal background check was required in addition to the often discussed in ThaiVisa common items. That was a surprise, and makes me wonder if anyone has any experience with needing the background check.

If it is required, any thoughts on how to best obtain whatever might be acceptable to the Ministry?

I am a US citizen, and the Thai lady is a Thai Government employee.

Thank you!

[ubonjoe]

Today I visited the Foreign Ministry to verify requirements for 'lawful' marriage to a Thai lady and the registering of same. I was told that a criminal background check was required in addition to the often discussed in ThaiVisa common items. That was a surprise, and makes me wonder if anyone has any experience with needing the background check.

If it is required, any thoughts on how to best obtain whatever might be acceptable to the Ministry?

I am a US citizen, and the Thai lady is a Thai Government employee.

Thank you!

No a criminal back ground check is not required. You were asking at the wrong place. Marriages are handled by the amphoe which is under the Ministry of Interior.

For marriage requirements see this webpage of the US embassy for info. They also have an appointment system after reading this page go back to the main page for US citizen services for info. It will save time because you do not need to take a number and wait.

LinK: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/marriage.html

[Svenn]

don't mean to interject too much here, but would anyone happen to know if thailand will recognize/register a foreign marriage between people of the same sex? (i know same sex couples can't marry in thailand, but maybe thailand recognizes foreign marriages?) thanks

[universe2000]

I obtained the marriage certificate (Kor Ror.2) and marriage Registration Papers (Kor Ror.3). It doesn't sound like I need to visit the US embassy for any further paperwork. My marriage is recognized by the US based on the Kor Ror 2. I don't know of any other situation where the Embassy will need a Kor Ror 2. Maybe I need it for obtaining a US Visa for my wife when we visit the states later this year.

As for the tax issue, I will submit another post specifically on that subject.