Registering A Foreign Marriage In Thailand

[Andyfez]

I thought that by getting my British marriage certificate copied and endorsed by the British embassy, getting it translated, and then going to the Alien Affairs office I'd be given a brand new Thai marriage certificate.

But having done all this I'm told I now have to get a certificate from my embassy to say I'm free to marry, go back to Alien Affairs, get another bit of paper, and re-marry at our local Amphur.......

Is this right?

Having been married ten years, we felt on principal that we shouldn't need to do it again.

Also, how can I get a certificate from the British embassy saying I'm free to marry when we've been married 10 years??!!

Andy.

[lopburi3]

Why are you trying to marry again? Your UK marriage is fully legal here in Thailand. You are asking for something you do not need.

[Andyfez]

We DON'T want to get married again.

But we wanted our foreign marriage fully recognized in Thailand, and wanted a proper Thai marriage certificate.

I know, as far as we're concerned we're married. And have been for a long time.

Can anyone answer my question?

[lopburi3]

Your question is answered. You do not require any local marriage certificate as you were married overseas and your marriage is recognized in Thailand, just as your marriage here would be recognized in the UK.

[Axel]

The certificate is issued by the authority where you did get married. If you got married in the UK, you got the certificate from there. If in Thailand it's the Thai certificate. I got married in the USA and got the certificate there.

You can have it translated into Thai and use as proof, e.g. with the immigration office or tax-department, that you are married in deed.

Guess, the local Thai office misunderstood and thought you are not but wanted to get married.

[vinny]

The British Embassy in Thailand or the Thai Embassy in the UK must verify that your marriage documents are genuine and were issued legally in the UK, and the documents must then be translated into Thai.

The translation must be checked and approved by the Consular Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry.

Your wife must bring the marriage documents, her ID card and house registration papers with her when she comes to register the marriage at her local District Office.

Edited May 27, 2006 by vinny

[Andyfez]

Thanks Vinny, that sums it up nicely for me.

Andy

[eugengeri]

I thought that by getting my British marriage certificate copied and endorsed by the British embassy, getting it translated, and then going to the Alien Affairs office I'd be given a brand new Thai marriage certificate.

But having done all this I'm told I now have to get a certificate from my embassy to say I'm free to marry, go back to Alien Affairs, get another bit of paper, and re-marry at our local Amphur.......

Is this right?

Having been married ten years, we felt on principal that we shouldn't need to do it again.

Also, how can I get a certificate from the British embassy saying I'm free to marry when we've been married 10 years??!!

Andy.

Because they will be sure it's not a copy from a computer or so. Immigration in "Suan Phlu BKK" want to see the paper "I am free for Married" for to change the Visa and extension of stay - so they have told us when we ask why we have to bring this also.