Getting Married - & Where To Give Birth

[BuffaloRescue]

Hi

Im British

My girlfriend is Australian & Thai National. She emmigrated to Australia after completing her studies in Australia 6 years ago.

We met in Thailand but now live in Australia. I am British and soon to be British/Australian

We would like to get married have a child and then live in Thailand until the child is of secondary school age then we will move back to Australia to educate the child here in Australia or possibly if we have the money to send child boarding school during term times in Australia and we remain in Thailand. Another possibility to educate him privately in an International school in Bangkok however the private education in Australia isnt that expensive ($15k a year) compared with other countries.

I know Im jumping ahead im just trying to formulate a vague plan for the future.

So - if we get married in Thailand, do we need to register that also in Australia for it to be recognised in Australia? I think my British friend who got married in Thailand had to re-register it in the UK.

Secondly, regarding the child. If she gives birth in Australia is it easy for the child to get the Thai nationality as well as Australian?

If she gives birth in Thailand is it easy to get the Australian citizenship? What is the easiest?

If she gives birth in Australia we get money from the government to help raise the child i think its about $7k for free!

Another question is regarding her flying in and out of Thailand. When she visits Thailand now she flys in on her Australian passport. She seems to think that if she flys in with her Thai passport hey want to see the Australian exit stamp in Thai PP

I told her that (i think) its actually illegal. If you are a national of a country you must use that countries passport when going to that country. I know that is the case with UK. If i go to UK i must use my UK passport.

Any advice greatly appreciated!!

[OZEMADE]

I would get her to have the baby in Australia.

1. The baby would become an Australian Citizen

2. Your wife would get the new baby allowance and be entitled to all benefits that come from the birth of a child.

AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY BANGKOK

REGISTERING A MARRIAGE IN THAILAND

Information for Australian Citizens

This information sheet is to assist Australians wishing to register a marriage in Thailand to ensure it will be recognized as a valid marriage in Australia. THE EMBASSY CANNOT PROVIDE INFORMATION ON OTHER ISSUES, SUCH AS ORGANISING CELEBRANTS OR VENUES.

WHY DO I NEED TO LEGALLY REGISTER MY MARRIAGE

A marriage in Thailand must be registered with Thai Authorities to be a valid marriage under Thai Law.

If you do not formally register your marriage with Thai authorities you are not legally married in Thailand or Australia.

WILL OUR MARRIAGE BE RECOGNISED IN AUSTRALIA?

Since the 1^st January 1995 any legal marriage performed in an overseas country, which would have been legal had it been performed in Australia, is accepted as a legal marriage under Australian Law.

WHAT STEPS DO I NEED TO FOLLOW TO MARRY LEGALLY IN THAILAND

It is a Thai government requirement that steps 1-3 must be completed in Bangkok.

Step 1: Statutory declaration and Death/Divorce Certificates.

All Australians marrying in Thailand must complete a pro-forma Statutory Declaration. It is a Thai Government requirement that this be completed at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok (it cannot be done in Australia, elsewhere in Thailand, another embassy, or online). Under the Australian Consular Fees Act a fee of $20 per document is payable for this service***.

Thai authorities will not accept a “Single Certificate” issued by Births deaths and Marriages in Australia as these contain insufficient information in relation to the applicant and his/her personal circumstances.

It is mandatory that both the Embassy and Thai authorities be presented with documentary evidence confirming that the Australian citizen is free to marry. If previously married, an original divorce or death certificate must be provided to prove that you are no longer married. You can certify copies of your original documents at the Consular Service Section at the Embassy in Bangkok. A fee of $30 per document is payable for this service***.

***Fees: The above fees are payable in Thai Baht cash. The fee is linked to the AUD/THB exchange rate and is re-aligned each month. For current THB fee information please contact the Consular Information Service Section by phone or e-mail [email protected]

Step 2: Translation

You must have your documents translated into Thai at a private translation agency. There are many in Bangkok who can do this in one or two working days. Fees vary. The Australian Embassy cannot recommend any particular translation agency.

Step 3: Certification by Thai Department of Consular Affairs.

After the documents have been translated they must be authenticated by Thai authorities. These generally take two working days and a fee is payable. For information on this service you should contact:

Department of Consular Affairs

123 Moo 3, Changwattana Road

Kwang Toong Son Hong, Khet Laksi

Bangkok

Tel. (02) 9817171 Office hours; 08:30 – 15:30

Step 4: Marriage at the Amphur Office

When you have completed the above requirements, you should visit any District Office (Amphur) to formally register your marriage. You may wish to take an interpreter to facilitate communication with the Amphur Officials. You may need to make an appointment before proceeding to the Amphur. If you are marrying at a resort location, your celebrant or wedding planner will be able to advise you on the location of the nearest Amphur office.

AUSTRALIAN VISAS

For information on spouse or tourist visas to Australia please call 02 344 6400 or e-mail [email protected]

Consular Service Section, Australian Embassy Bangkok – Contact Details

Address: Australian Embassy Bangkok

37 South Sathorn Rd, Bangkok 10120

Operating Hours 08:30 – 16:30 Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

No appointment necessary.

Telephone: 02 344 6300

Fax; 02 344 6310

e-mail: [email protected]

[jamescollister]

Hi there

sound like me a few years ago. I have 2 kids born in OZ, both hold Thai and Australian passports. Have the baby in Aust, you get some money, which is nice, but in Thailand the father is not usually allowed in for the birth.

As for where to live and send the kids to school etc you either have a lot of money or a very good job. If that's the case it really doesn't matter where, as you can pay for the best.

Passports, if your wife enters Thailand on the Aust. passport and wants to stay she needs a visa. If she comes in on her Thai passport no problem. My wife and kids enter on their Thai passports and when arriving in Aust use their Aust. passport.

Getting passports for children is not a problem, it's a lot easier than you think. Jim