Take Me Through The Marriage Process

[kkf123]

I am from the USA.

Here is what I know so far of the process. Please fill in any mistakes. Thanks in advance Mates.

1. I go to US Embassy and get a piece of paper that declares I am not married to anyone else.

2. I take this document, my passport and a copy of my birth certificate to a Thai Court House along with my Fiance. Do these documents need to be translated into Thai?

3. We are married. When do we get the marriage certificate?

4. Now, because I dont have a job, I will have to deposit 400,000 Baht into a Thai Bank. Where can I get the best interest rate on my Baht?

5. My tourist visa expires. I go to Singapore. Iapply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa. The length of this visa is 1 year?

Any documents or steps I am missing?

Cheers! Choke-Dee!

[geordie]

Not to sure about the USA formality, but this is how it happens when you are British.

Go to your Embassy and get a freedom to marry form, it is called an affimation to marry form.

Fill it in and go to a computer shop and get it re-done 0n computer.

Go back to embassy, you will also need proof of any previous marriage(decree absolute).

Your Embassy will then confirm and stamp (seal) that you are free to marry.

This then has to be translated into thai.

This then goes to some thai marraige office, where they confirm all details and then issue you with a certificate saying that you are free to marry.

During this process your girl friend will also have to prove that she is also free to marry.

Once the thai office has issued you with a certificate saying that you can marry, go to your local Amphor and get married.

Good luck to you, as most people here say you will need it.

If i am wrong with any information here, i am sure i will be corrected.

Good luck Geordie

I was only on a 30 visa when i got married, i did not have to prove how much money i had in bank i recieved the marraige certificate the same day i was married.

Edited February 1, 2006 by geordie

[lopburi3]

The US Embassy web site outlines the procedure. If possible it is best to arrive on a non immigrant O visa issued by a small consulate.

1. Visit Embassy and fill out one page form with job/salary/references/family information and fact you are not married. Pay to have it notarized.

2. Take to translation service. Translate into Thai. Take to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Have it registered as an international legal document. Receive copy with registry number.

3. Take document, GF, passport, her id card and register your marriage at a district office. You will need witness and perhaps someone to translate forms for you if office unable to speak English.

4. You receive marriage certificate at step 3.

5. There is no need to deposit any money until you are ready to extend your stay for one year at a time at an immigration office (this is done during the last 30 days of a 90 day stay). If you already have the non immigrant visa and can make the extension of stay requirements (400k) there is no need to leave Thailand. If you arrived on a 60 day tourist visa and can meet the requirements your visa can be changed inside Thailand to non immigrant at an added cost/step.

[kkf123]

"Visit Embassy and fill out one page form with job/salary/references/family information and fact you are not married. Pay to have it notarized."

Notarized by Whom? The Embassy?

"Take to translation service. Translate into Thai."

How much should I expect to pay?

How long are the wait times at each step? Can I expect to get through everything in 2 or 3 days?

Do I need a copy of my birth certificate?

Thanks.

[lopburi3]

Yes the Embassy is the notary service for Americans. Costs about $30. Should be able to fill out form, pay, notarize and leave in two hours or less. Need to do before 11 AM at the ACSU next to the visa service at the old Embassy building.

Translation can be just that or they can also register for you - as it is near airport I would let them do it. Whole process can be done in one day with help but I would expect 2 or 3 days by yourself if no problems arise (she already married or id expired type things).

Believe birth certificate is only required if you partition for an immigrant visa to take her to the USA. Do not believe it is used in the marriage process.

[rainman]

I got a question related to this ...can the 400k+ be in an account that is shared with someone? Ie. an account that is shared with your to-be-wife or a family member of your side of the family? Or does the account have to be 100% in your name.

[lopburi3]

It can be in your name or a joint account with your wife. If in any other joint account you can only claim half of the amount.

The money is not required until have been married several months (for extension of stay) so there is no hurry on the transfer.