How Fast Can We Get Married?

[scottydel]

Hi,

37-year-old American here. I've been with my girlfriend for 5 years, and we have a 4-year-old son together. I'm pretty sure I've been convinced that the CR-1 Immigrant Visa will be much less of a hassle than the K1 Non-Immigrant Visa. This would require tying the knot here in Thailand. We already had a village wedding in 2007, so this would just be a formality. What I'm after is the legal, Thai marriage certificate which I will submit with her Visa application.

I'm sort of under the gun, I think. I leave for America on October 19th. How easy is it to go to the ampur and get a legal marriage certificate? Is this something that could drag on for weeks, or is it rather quick?

Thanks,

Scott

[lovelomsak]

Should be able to do in one day. I know people who have gone to Bangkok on the bus over night came back the next night legally married. Easy if wife is organized and knows where the right offices are. Just dress smart and be polite and have white envelopes ready.

[scottydel]

Gotcha, thanks. Our local ampur is a joke. Notoriously slow and unwilling to help. Girlfriend is from a small island/village, I might be the only farang who has ever set foot in the ampur that services her district. White envolopes will be stuffed!

[InterestedObserver]

Should be able to do in one day. I know people who have gone to Bangkok on the bus over night came back the next night legally married. Easy if wife is organized and knows where the right offices are. Just dress smart and be polite and have white envelopes ready.

Correct, one day is all it takes especially if you use an agency that specializes in that sort of thing. You will need an "Affirmation Of Freedom To Marry" certificate from the US Embassy translated into Thai and certified by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs before going to the Amphur get legally married.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Gotcha, thanks. Our local ampur is a joke. Notoriously slow and unwilling to help. Girlfriend is from a small island/village, I might be the only farang who has ever set foot in the ampur that services her district. White envolopes will be stuffed!

Do the deed at another amphur, even in Bangkok, no real official requirement to go to the amphur where she's registered.

Review the requirements on the U.S. Embassy's www page, if "urgent," should be able to do in 2-3 days:

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

Mac

[scottydel]

Thank you for the add'l info! Looks like we're heading to Bangkok again. To bad we were just there for her DENIED tourist visa interview. Oh well I'm used to the red tape by now

Question: Do we both have to be present at the US Embassy / Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs? I'm guessing yes, but it never hurts to ask. We have a young son and it would sure be nice to leave him with Mom here in Krabi and make the trip on my own. Just pulled him out of 3 days of school for the tourist visa, and the trip would obviously be cheaper for just one person. Any idea?

[lovelomsak]

Thank you for the add'l info! Looks like we're heading to Bangkok again. To bad we were just there for her DENIED tourist visa interview. Oh well I'm used to the red tape by now

Question: Do we both have to be present at the US Embassy / Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs? I'm guessing yes, but it never hurts to ask. We have a young son and it would sure be nice to leave him with Mom here in Krabi and make the trip on my own. Just pulled him out of 3 days of school for the tourist visa, and the trip would obviously be cheaper for just one person. Any idea?

Why make a lot of trips. You and the wife go to Bangkok get your proof of "Affirmation of Freedom to Marry" first thing in the morning try to be first in line at embassy . Then head off and get married after that the same day. Make it a done deal. This is exactly what I did when i got married. Mind you my marriage only lasted 4 months so maybe a bad omen.

[InterestedObserver]

You are making an affidavit at the US Embassy that you are single and free to marry. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs is only certifying the Consul signature on the affidavit and the translation. Since you don't have a legal wife, she doesn't need to be there.

Edited September 5, 2011 by InterestedObserver

[lopburi3]

First act is you go online to US Embassy Bangkok web site to make appointment and download the form that is required (you must have appointment prior to visit).

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

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/notarial-services.html

Then it must be translated into Thai and registered with MFA. Normally a next day process unless extra money is paid (translation service can often do as your agent).

Then you both visit a district office to register the marriage - have an English speaker to translate for you if upcountry and two witness will also be required (but normally staff can find for you). There are no white envelops involved. Should take less than an hour and then wife should change ID.

[lovelomsak]

After reading Lopburi3 advice I realize mine could be in error about the embassy time frame, you are American and I am Canadian and it must be done different.I was in and out in less than a hour getting my "Affirmation of Freedom to Marry". For me that was the easy part the amphur stalled till 10 minutes before closing time. That was were the white enevelope came in, they left the envelope on the desk walked away and the wife took care of it. There was another couple there came it the same time as us, they were told come back tommorrow we are closing.

Edited September 5, 2011 by lovelomsak

[7by7]

After reading Lopburi3 advice I realize mine could be in error about the embassy time frame, you are American and I am Canadian and it must be done different.

Indeed, different embassies have different procedures, time frames and charges; so people must check with their own embassy or consulate to see what they require.

For example, at the British embassy you do not need an appointment but can simply turn up. At the Irish consulate you need to make an appointment and submit a copy of your affirmation 4 weeks in advance!

Once you have had the affirmation notarised by your embassy or consulate, the procedure is the same for all nationalities.