A Widower To Marry In Thailand

[Shuguk]

A newbie here needing help.

I am a widower with a Thai GF. She divorced her English husband recently at the Thai Embassy in London and we are aware the divorce is not recognised here in the UK. We have a document from them to that affect (we hoped Scottish Law might have helped us here.....but no).

If we marry in Thailand and return to the UK will the marriage be legal and accepted here by the authorities? Will my GF still be seen as married to her `ex`in the UK? Obviously I do not want later squabbles with my children about estate and Wills when my time comes and am trying to think ahead.

My GF has a son born here so I don`t think any problem about her visa (indefinite LTR), or can there be?

Any input from the body of the forum would be appreciated, and any pointing towards any similar, earlier posts would be great.

Take care

Shug

[Shuguk]

A newbie here needing help.

I am a widower with a Thai GF. She divorced her English husband recently at the Thai Embassy in London and we are aware the divorce is not recognised here in the UK. We have a document from them to that affect (we hoped Scottish Law might have helped us here.....but no).

If we marry in Thailand and return to the UK will the marriage be legal and accepted here by the authorities? Will my GF still be seen as married to her `ex`in the UK? Obviously I do not want later squabbles with my children about estate and Wills when my time comes and am trying to think ahead.

My GF has a son born here so I don`t think any problem about her visa (indefinite LTR), or can there be?

Any input from the body of the forum would be appreciated, and any pointing towards any similar, earlier posts would be great.

Take care

Shug

Ah well, no replies but thanks for those who viewed. I know maybe a complicated subject but had hoped somebody had gone through the same process.

Take care

Shug

[Maigo6]

Shug, maybe you can post this in the Visa section, I'm sure you'll get some good advice.

Ask a Moderator to move it to the appropiate section of the forum, there are guys there that will give you sterling advice i'm sure.

Visas and migration to other countries is where you should post this, you should get some constructive response there.

Good luck Shug.

Ok Shug, I've sent a message to mods to put you in the right place, hope all works out for you.

Edited May 24, 2009 by Maigo6

[Lite Beer]

Moved as requested.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

They both need to meet at the place they married Amphur with passports etc and docs they then dissolve the marriage that is legal.

[Shuguk]

Shug, maybe you can post this in the Visa section, I'm sure you'll get some good advice.

Ask a Moderator to move it to the appropiate section of the forum, there are guys there that will give you sterling advice i'm sure.

Visas and migration to other countries is where you should post this, you should get some constructive response there.

Good luck Shug.

Ok Shug, I've sent a message to mods to put you in the right place, hope all works out for you.

Many thanks for that, it shows how good this forum and it`s members are.

Take care

Shug

[Shuguk]

They both need to meet at the place they married Amphur with passports etc and docs they then dissolve the marriage that is legal.

Yes, I agree if both the parties were in Thailand but I don`t think that will ever happen again. We have the option of a UK divorce but with a child involved it becomes more complicated, and even more so when one party is in England and the other in Scotland. Scottish Law can be different in many ways to English Law. I guess I am looking for the easy way but need to be sure for the future.

Thanks for the input

Shug

[Mario2008]

Thia visa Express might have given you the cheapest solution, although I don't know if that would be possible (getting divorced 2 times under Thai law). If you go togther to the amphur in Thailand you walk out 30 minutes later and be divorced. You can file any arrangements you make about child support, costudy etc. The trip to Thailand would save a lot of time and money. From that point of view it is worth investigating.

[7by7]

Under UK law a divorce in the UK can only be granted by the courts, therefore as far as the UK is concerned your girlfriend is still married to her ex and any subsequent marriage would be bigamous. If she were to divorce him in Thailand, whether at an Ampur or throughthe courts, then this would be recognised by the UK and she would be free to marry again inthe UK.

If it is not possible to divorce in Thailand then she must divorce in the UK before she can marry again and have that marriage recognised in the UK.

You say that she has indefinite LTR, in which case even though she has left her husband she can remain in the UK indefinitely.

[kennkate]

Shug I take it you are both in the Uk at the moment

I think you need Legal advise. You Can get it FREE at Citizens Advise Centres

Yo may have to make an apointment to speak to a solicitor Nothing to lose

If Your Intended has ILR No further Visa worries So you have time on your side.

Best of Luck.

[7by7]

They both need to meet at the place they married Amphur with passports etc and docs they then dissolve the marriage that is legal.

Yes, I agree if both the parties were in Thailand but I don`t think that will ever happen again.

Of course, under UK law her ex is also still married, so any subsequent marriage by him would also be considered bigamous by the UK.

Pointing this out to him may elicit his cooperation and a visit to an Ampur in Thailand to sign the forms.

[Shuguk]

Under UK law a divorce in the UK can only be granted by the courts, therefore as far as the UK is concerned your girlfriend is still married to her ex and any subsequent marriage would be bigamous. If she were to divorce him in Thailand, whether at an Ampur or throughthe courts, then this would be recognised by the UK and she would be free to marry again inthe UK.

If it is not possible to divorce in Thailand then she must divorce in the UK before she can marry again and have that marriage recognised in the UK.

You say that she has indefinite LTR, in which case even though she has left her husband she can remain in the UK indefinitely.

Ok, many thanks to everybody who contributed to this thread. Our latest thinking is that next time we go on holiday to Thailand (soon I hope) the lassie presents her divorce document to the Thai authorities over there, for her to get it validated. We think the Thai Embassy in London must provide the divorce service for a reason, and it seems crazy to get divorced twice (as somebody mentioned). Once back in the UK we can try again to marry without a UK divorce (and without the Scottish v English Law situation which can be expensive.....but don`t be thinking I`m a stingy Scot cos I`m not ha ha).

I`ll let you know how we get on.

Thanks again to all.

Take care

Shug

[ubonjoe]

If they will register the divorce here and date it the same as the divorce at the embassy you could get married here if it has been 310 days since she did her divorce at the embassy.

See this webpage for info on both: http://www.dopa.go.th/English/servi/serv.htm

[Shuguk]

If they will register the divorce here and date it the same as the divorce at the embassy you could get married here if it has been 310 days since she did her divorce at the embassy.

See this webpage for info on both: http://www.dopa.go.th/English/servi/serv.htm

Hi guys,

An update on our plight is that the UK Consulate in Bangkok told us that the parties have to divorce in the UK for it to be recognised by the UK authorities. The divorce at the Thai Embassy in London did, however, allow the gf to amend documents in Thailand, ID, etc etc, so not a complete waste of time.

Thanks again to everyone.

Shug

[7by7]

A UK divorce, if uncontested and both parties agree to the terms, including custody and maintenance of the child, need not be expensive. Most solicitors will provide an initial consultation free of charge, so I suggest that should be your next step.

[Shuguk]

A UK divorce, if uncontested and both parties agree to the terms, including custody and maintenance of the child, need not be expensive. Most solicitors will provide an initial consultation free of charge, so I suggest that should be your next step.

Yes, you are correct, but after 2 enjoyable months in Thailand I am still trying to get through the mountain of mail back here. I think next week will start the process.

Thanks again to all.

Shug