The Deal On Getting The Marriage Declaration Stamped

I've usually been left confused reading other posts about this subject, so this is my experience.

Having got the declaration in English stamped at my embassy previously, I took the train to Laksi station, on the corner of Chang Wattana Rd.

Minivans do go from Chatachuck, and pass right by the building.

From in front of the station, you can take bus # 52 or 356. There's no stop, just go out in the ( stationary ) traffic and get on, or take a minivan, or a cab, 35 bht.

The building you're looking for is on same side, just before a flyover. It's a glass fronted low level building between 2 tower blocks. It has Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Department of Consular Affairs in English on the front of the building.

On entering the building a Thai man approached us and offered his services. I asked him to do the translation, which he did for 400 bht. Photocopy services available to the right at top of escalator. Normal price too ( 2 bht a page ).

He wanted to do the whole thing for me, for 2,200 bht, but I declined.

After receiving the paperwork back in about 1/2 hour, I climbed the stairs to 3rd floor where there is a desk to obtain a form to fill in. I was then sent to the supervisors office where the form was signed and went back to the desk where I was given a queue number.

The illuminated # boards were malfunctioning, though confusingly still on, so it was necessary to listen for my number to be announced. I then paid 800 bht ( express service, only available till 1200 ). 3 day service available for half that price.Usual cost per document is 200 bht per 100 words or part thereof. I only had 1 document.

I then had to wait a while for the receipt, and change, to be given to me. They called me by name this time.

The clerk told me to return in 3 hours.

To fill in time, we went to Big C just up the road, where we had lunch. There is a food court in the department building, had we opted to stay there.

At 1400, went back to window 6, presented the receipt and received the stamped document.

Exited the building, and used the overhead walkway to cross the road to the bus stop, from where we took a minivan to Chattachuck, 25 bht, and a cab to Mochit bus terminal for onward journey.

Took about 4 1/2 hours total, after reaching the building at 1000, and cost 1,204 baht in total, not including embassy fee, for same day service.