Getting Married In Thailand

[cleggit]

Hello All,

I'm getting married to my long term GF in Thailand in April this year. We're pretty organised for everything (unusually for us !) and have even got the marriage visa provisionally agreed pending the production of the marriage certificate.

Anyway from the UK embassies website the process look fairly straight forwards.

• Obtain freedom to marry affidavit from the Emb
  
• Translate it to Thai
  
• Get it authenticated
  
• Take it to the Amphur and hey presto we're married
  

So my question is surely there is more to it than that !! This is Thailand and the British Government we're dealing with it can't be that simple !!

I'd also like to know if i can get the freedom to marry affidavit produced in the UK before we travel.

And finally the Embassy state they can register the marriage in the UK but is there any point doing this - we're going to be living in the UK for a couple of years after the wedding and then in Thailand.

Many thanks for your help with this.

Simon & Nok

[coldcrush]

Hello All,

I'm getting married to my long term GF in Thailand in April this year. We're pretty organised for everything (unusually for us !) and have even got the marriage visa provisionally agreed pending the production of the marriage certificate.

Anyway from the UK embassies website the process look fairly straight forwards.

• Obtain freedom to marry affidavit from the Emb
  
• Translate it to Thai
  
• Get it authenticated
  
• Take it to the Amphur and hey presto we're married
  

So my question is surely there is more to it than that !! This is Thailand and the British Government we're dealing with it can't be that simple !!

I'd also like to know if i can get the freedom to marry affidavit produced in the UK before we travel.

And finally the Embassy state they can register the marriage in the UK but is there any point doing this - we're going to be living in the UK for a couple of years after the wedding and then in Thailand.

Many thanks for your help with this.

Simon & Nok

How did you get the visa provisionally agreed is my question? Can you do this? If so pray tell!

[GU22]

So my question is surely there is more to it than that !! This is Thailand and the British Government we're dealing with it can't be that simple !!

It is that simple, as far as the legal marriage is concerned. Of course, if you're going to do the ceremonial bit as well.............

I'd also like to know if i can get the freedom to marry affidavit produced in the UK before we travel.

No, it is a Thai government thing for all foreigners who marry in Thailand and has to be notarised at the appropriate embassy in Bangkok. So even if you did produce the actual document in the UK you would still have to take it to the embassy to have it notarised, and pay the fee.

And finally the Embassy state they can register the marriage in the UK but is there any point doing this

No they don't say that. You cannot register your marriage again in the UK as you will have already registered it in Thailand.

What the embassy can do is arrange for a copy of your Thai marriage certificate to be lodged at the General Records Office in the UK. This may be useful were you to lose the original and not have time to get a copy from Thailand, or for any of your descendent's in the UK who wish to trace their family records. Other than that it is a complete waste of time and money. Most people don't bother as it serves no real useful purpose.

As it says on the embassy website

- The marriage will not be registered in the UK; the marriage certificate will simply be deposited;

- This means that the original certificate will not be returned to you;

- There is no legal obligation to have a marriage recorded in the UK.

How did you get the visa provisionally agreed is my question? Can you do this? If so pray tell!

Submit the application with all the supporting evidence except the marriage certificate.

Include a covering letter stating the date of the wedding and ask for an interview as soon as possible after that date.

If the evidence is not up to scratch then you will be given an interview appointment for a date after the wedding.

However, if all the other evidence is up to scratch and the ECO is minded to grant the visa then you will be contacted and told to come to the embassy anytime after the wedding with the marriage certificate for a short interview, or even no interview at all.

As I repeatedly say, getting a visa is not difficult, provided you show that you meet the criteria.

[Mobi]

So my question is surely there is more to it than that !! This is Thailand and the British Government we're dealing with it can't be that simple !!

Did it a year ago - it is that simple. The embassy are fine and quick on this one. (Make sure you have a sample to copy from). The translation has to be authenticated at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I can't remember everything, but we did go to the Ampur (Prakanong in our case) a few days before the marriage to double check all the documents that are required - I think they gave us a list. I speak passable Thai, but you if you don't, you may need a translator, the amphur people will tell you. You don't want to have to keep going back to get married!

Have a good life

[the scouser]

How did you get the visa provisionally agreed is my question?

In Cleggit's case (I hope you don't mind me mentioning this), by applying for the wrong visa!! Strange but true.

Scouse.

[cleggit]

No problem Scouser ! After that lucky escape i thought i'd better check we're doing things correctly for the wedding !

Thanks to everyone else for the replies too.....

[Rj 81]

I'm in a very similar situation to yourself, please let us know how you get on.

And of course, goodluck!

[Prakanong2005]

"I can't remember everything, but we did go to the Ampur (Prakanong in our case) "

I read that Prakanong was difficult to get married in now but for certain reasons ie sentimental I want to get married there when I do it officially in July

[Rj 81]

Don't forget to take your passport to the Embassy as ID.

Also passport when you go to Amphur along with partners ID card plus Tabian Baan book.

[Mobi]

"I can't remember everything, but we did go to the Ampur (Prakanong in our case) "

I read that Prakanong was difficult to get married in now but for certain reasons ie sentimental I want to get married there when I do it officially in July

Well, it did take quite a while, and we were interviwed extensively by at least 2 or 3 officials. You go from one desk to another, and each has to review all the paers and sign (usual Thai beaurocracy).; I certainly got the impression that if they found any i's not dotted they would have refused. That's why I suggest a pre-marriage visit to check it all out, and avoid disappointment.

Many moons ago I had to go to the Amphur in Bangapi at least 4 times before we got it all right, and I remember one of the things I needed was a translator as I didn't speak much Thai in those days. NoweI wish I'd never succeeded - the divorce cost me a fortune!

[lopburi3]

I wondered when someone was going to mention taking the woman along, and her documentation.

Believe two witnesses have to sign the paperwork so you usually have people in the office do that and perhaps provide them lunch. If you do not speak Thai and the office is not used to foreigners they will often ask you to have an unofficial translator so you know what you are signing (they may type up a short history of your relationship). But if paperwork is good (that registration number will probably be checked on your freedom to marry paper) it is normally a short and painless process. In Bangkok the most popular District Office to use is in the Patpong area and called Love District (and has nothing to do with foreigners - it is equally popular with Thai).

[vinny]

See the following also:

General Guidance for British Nationals wishing to marry in Thailand from the Royal Thai Embassy, London

Guidance for British Nationals Wishing to Marry in Thailand from the British Embassy, Bangkok

Marriage Registration from the Public Service Manual of the Department of Provincial Administration

[Prakanong2005]

Mobi

Thanks for the update

[Toni]

Hello All,

I'm getting married to my long term GF in Thailand in April this year. We're pretty organised for everything (unusually for us !) and have even got the marriage visa provisionally agreed pending the production of the marriage certificate.

Anyway from the UK embassies website the process look fairly straight forwards.

• Obtain freedom to marry affidavit from the Emb
  
• Translate it to Thai
  
• Get it authenticated
  
• Take it to the Amphur and hey presto we're married
  

So my question is surely there is more to it than that !! This is Thailand and the British Government we're dealing with it can't be that simple !!

I'd also like to know if i can get the freedom to marry affidavit produced in the UK before we travel.

And finally the Embassy state they can register the marriage in the UK but is there any point doing this - we're going to be living in the UK for a couple of years after the wedding and then in Thailand.

Many thanks for your help with this.

Simon & Nok

Yes, it is that simple after my odeal to get my paperwork arranged in 2 different countries (Holland and Spain).!

The only bottleneck were some Districts where the Senior official to sign the paperwork was never at his office!

After some recommendations in Thai Forums we got married at Bang Rak (BKK) which was a big pleasure dealing with these officials after our negative experiences!

Really with the points you mentioned you marry there very relaxed within one hour!!

Congratulations

Hello All,

I'm getting married to my long term GF in Thailand in April this year. We're pretty organised for everything (unusually for us !) and have even got the marriage visa provisionally agreed pending the production of the marriage certificate.

Anyway from the UK embassies website the process look fairly straight forwards.

• Obtain freedom to marry affidavit from the Emb
  
• Translate it to Thai
  
• Get it authenticated
  
• Take it to the Amphur and hey presto we're married
  

So my question is surely there is more to it than that !! This is Thailand and the British Government we're dealing with it can't be that simple !!

I'd also like to know if i can get the freedom to marry affidavit produced in the UK before we travel.

And finally the Embassy state they can register the marriage in the UK but is there any point doing this - we're going to be living in the UK for a couple of years after the wedding and then in Thailand.

Many thanks for your help with this.

Simon & Nok

Yes, it is that simple after my odeal to get my paperwork arranged in 2 different countries (Holland and Spain).!

The only bottleneck were some Districts where the Senior official to sign the paperwork was never at his office!

After some recommendations in Thai Forums we got married at Bang Rak (BKK) which was a big pleasure dealing with these officials after our negative experiences!

Really with the points you mentioned you marry there very relaxed within one hour!!

Congratulations

sorry, forgot to tell you to bring one Thai witness/interpreter (adult). Can be a friend or a relative.

[Pink Mist]

thats why I used a translation/marriage organisian service so much easier

[Beachcomber]

thats why I used a translation/marriage organisian service so much easier

Second that – cost a bit (10K?) but reeeeeey worth it get it all done in a day.

Congrats

[thai3]

Hello All,

And finally the Embassy state they can register the marriage in the UK but is there any point doing this - we're going to be living in the UK for a couple of years after the wedding and then in Thailand.

Many thanks for your help with this.

Simon & Nok

How do you know you wil be living in the UK after? you have to get the bastards to issue a visa first. Getting married is really simple compared to that. We did it in 24 hours from the embassy when you pick up the freedom to marry form (complete farce nothing on it is checked) go down the road to and cross the bridge a little on the left is the original translation service who will translate for 300 baht, otheres seem to be 400. Then you now have to take that up to the ministry in laksi to get it stamped, if you go in the morning you can pick it up after 2 PM. Thats 800 baht for express service or 400 naht for another day. Then you can go two bus stops up the road to the Amphur. They don't ask for witnesses but the old bag does screw everyone for doing the translating which is merely asking you the same qurstions again that are on the form. Lots of other form filling, photocopying etc but the GF can sort all that out. Don't give the old bag more than 100 baht for the translation, you only need minimal thai to understand anyway, good luck with the visa, you'll be needing it.

thats why I used a translation/marriage organisian service so much easier

Second that – cost a bit (10K?) but reeeeeey worth it get it all done in a day.

Congrats

we got it done in a day and it cost us just over 3000 baht if it's so simple even I can do it anyone can. Freedom form is just over 2.000 + translation 300+ 800 stamp at the ministry + taxis 200. Why pay somebody a months wages for doing a bit of form filling?

Edited February 26, 2006 by thai3

[GU22]

How do you know you wil be living in the UK after? you have to get the bastards to issue a visa first..........good luck with the visa, you'll be needing it.

If you took the time to read threads you would see that the OP's fiance/wife already has her visa, conditional on her producing the marriage certificate.

[geordie]

You will also need to take your decree absolute if you have been married before. It has to be the original not a copy. I am not sure about witnesses, i was married about 3 years ago and i did not need any witnesses, but it might have changed now.

Good luck