Marriage In Thailand Is It Legal In Australia

[tinytot]

Just wanting some answers. Me and my Thai Fiancee we are going to get married and were going to marry in Australia, As we are coming back Thailand for holiday wondering if we register in Thailand is it legal document when we come back to Australia?

In Australia we have to fill out forms and wait 30 days before we can marry but we thought that if we are in Thailand and take all required documents to register in Thailand that we get certificate most likely in Thai and English language so when we arrive back in Australia we can take documents to all the required government places to change her maiden name to my surname and have citizenship finalised as she has perm residence now ..

If you can leave suggestions what to bring where to go and if it is smooth sailing when we arrive back in Australia.. Thanks...tinytot

[Lite Beer]

Marriage in Thailand is legal and recognised everywhere in the world.

[Surin13]

Yes, thai marriage is legally recognised in Australia.

Not 100% sure that government departments will take a translated version of the marriage certificate to change your wife's last name. They should but can't say for sure.

She could always get her name changed by deed poll if needed.

[simple1]

Just in case, are you aware of the changes for qualifying for Australian citizenship as from 1/07/2010? Remember your partner may also need to take the Citizenship test. Info at:

http://www.citizenship.gov.au/learn/law-and-policy/legis_changes/res_req_changes/

http://www.citizenship.gov.au/applying/how_to_apply/conferral_app_process/

[Mario2008]

Marriage in Thailand is simple. What you need to do is:

1. get a letter from your embassy confirming you are free to marry (Check your embassy website for what documents you need to bring).

2. get the letter translated by a translation agency (costs about 400 baht)

3. have the letter and translation certified by the Thai Foreign Ministry, Consular department. Same day service 800 baht, if delivered before noon, otherwise 400 baht for normal service and for 60 baht extra they send the documents to your address in a few days.

4. make copies/scans off all documents for your own records. (Immigraiton in Thailand might ask for it if you ever want an extension of stay in Thailand)

5. Go to any amphur in Thailand and get married.

For your Thai fiancée all records are already in the online database at the amphur. See only needs her Thai ID-card, a divorce certificate if divorced and household registration book.

You can bring 2 witnesses, normally the amphur provides them.

Since you want to use the marriage document in Australia, ask your embassy about how to legalise the marriage papers for use in Australia. You might need to get a khor rhor 2 form from the amphur and have it translated into English, certified by the Thai foreign ministry and next certified by your embassy.

[eezergood]

Good luck getting a straight answer out of the Aus embassy staff!

[simple1]

Good luck getting a straight answer out of the Aus embassy staff!

Incorrect. Info and process to have a Thai marriage recognised in Australia from the BKK Embassy website at:

http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Consular_P4.html

[chuenyongman]

A word to the unwise regarding getting married in Thailand. Yes the Australian government recognizes it. Beware if you are on a pension and if your wife is employed you will lose part of your pension. I know this because it did happen to me. She only earn only $150.00. per week and they dropped my pension accordingly. A friend of mine told me, "DON'T TELL THEM ANYTHING!" and I am beginning to believe him. he also told that they had ripped him off with another deduction. He now states ," He would not P*** on them if they were on fire"!

[Jasun]

A word to the unwise regarding getting married in Thailand. Yes the Australian government recognizes it. Beware if you are on a pension and if your wife is employed you will lose part of your pension. I know this because it did happen to me. She only earn only $150.00. per week and they dropped my pension accordingly. A friend of mine told me, "DON'T TELL THEM ANYTHING!" and I am beginning to believe him. he also told that they had ripped him off with another deduction. He now states ," He would not P*** on them if they were on fire"!

That's rough. Was the $150 being earned in Australia or in Thailand?

[krisb]

You wrote.....In Australia we have to fill out forms and wait 30 days before we can marry.

Sorry I dont get this bit mate? We didnt. Tied the not, job done. All legal.

[krisb]

Good luck getting a straight answer out of the Aus embassy staff!

Not true. The trick to dealing with them is you have to ask the questions.

[Surin13]

You wrote.....In Australia we have to fill out forms and wait 30 days before we can marry.

Sorry I dont get this bit mate? We didnt. Tied the not, job done. All legal.

tinytot is right krisb, a completed Notice of Intended Marriage form must be completed at least one month before the wedding, although a prescribed authority may approve a shorter notice time in some limited circumstances.

http://www.ag.gov.au/FamiliesAndMarriage/Marriage/Pages/GettingmarriedinAustralia.aspx

Not sure how you got past this.

[renaz]

Marriage in Thailand is simple. What you need to do is:

1. get a letter from your embassy confirming you are free to marry (Check your embassy website for what documents you need to bring).

2. get the letter translated by a translation agency (costs about 400 baht)

3. have the letter and translation certified by the Thai Foreign Ministry, Consular department. Same day service 800 baht, if delivered before noon, otherwise 400 baht for normal service and for 60 baht extra they send the documents to your address in a few days.

4. make copies/scans off all documents for your own records. (Immigraiton in Thailand might ask for it if you ever want an extension of stay in Thailand)

5. Go to any amphur in Thailand and get married.

For your Thai fiancée all records are already in the online database at the amphur. See only needs her Thai ID-card, a divorce certificate if divorced and household registration book.

You can bring 2 witnesses, normally the amphur provides them.

Since you want to use the marriage document in Australia, ask your embassy about how to legalise the marriage papers for use in Australia. You might need to get a khor rhor 2 form from the amphur and have it translated into English, certified by the Thai foreign ministry and next certified by your embassy.

Thanks Mario, this is the most succinct summary of what's needed to get married in Thailand while on holiday. I still have a couple of questions though!

With point 5, we would like a ceremony somewhere nice, ie. not the local equivalent to a town hall. I understand it needs to be registered at the amphur to be legally recognised. Is this just a matter of taking the documents in and having them stamped/notarised after a ceremony with a celebrant or will there be another "do you, I do" etc...

In regards to point three I'm very pleased to discover that for a fee I can have the Thai Ministry mail the documents for a fee, we arrive in Bangkok on a Thursday evening and fly out to the islands the following Monday. Plenty of time if during the week but not over the weekend. /: Will it be okay to have them mailed to where are first staying for a few days on the island? Or can it be sent c/o- to the post office?

Thank-you!

[Mario2008]

The amphur is just presenting the documents and signing some forms, tgether with two witnesses. (often supplied by the amhur, for free or a few hundred baht). There is no ceremony attached.

You can find people who will organise a ceremony (and possibly have people from the amphur attend to do the registration right there).

Believe they will send it to the address you will write on the envelope. (They provide enveope and stamp for 65 baht, don't bring your own.)

[Goompa]

Just a short piece of info , if you are contemplating your wife buying land , home etc in the future in LOS be concerned about the surname change ,you can run into difficulties

[renaz]

Sweet! Thanks Mario. If we could get an official from the office to be there on the day that would be great but the date is set for a Saturday so I'm guessing that's probably not possible! Haha.

[Mario2008]

Just a short piece of info , if you are contemplating your wife buying land , home etc in the future in LOS be concerned about the surname change ,you can run into difficulties

Nonsense, many wifes of memebrs seem to have no problem with this. If you do meet a poblematic official, you ask him to put it in writing to give to your lawyer. That should end any discussion.