Using Foreign Marriage Certificate for 1 Yr Extension?

[DrDave]

I know that normally, a 1 year extension based upon marriage to a Thai citizen is only granted when a current Thai marriage certificate is provided.

In my case, we were married in the US, and never registered the marriage in Thailand. About 5 years ago, we went through a process to "legalize" our US marriage certificate via the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles. This involved getting the certificate first certified by the California Secretary of State, then the US Secretary of State, and finally, the Thai Consulate. The state and federal level certifications were required by the Thai Consulate. The result is our original marriage certificate with 2 documents permanently attached - a California certification, and a US State Dept certification. On the reverse side of the US certification, is a "Legalization" stamp placed by the Thai Consulate (attached picture).

My question is, will this "Thai Legalized" document be accepted by Thai Immigration for my 1st 1 year extension, or will I need to go through the whole process of translation to Thai, certification by the MFA, and marriage registration at the Amphoe process? I'm not due for an extension until next April, so I have time. If I need to go through the whole process, is there anything I need to do at the US Consulate in BKK before starting the translation/certification process?

[ubonjoe]

You need to go through the process of registering your marriage at the Amphoe to get a Kor Ror 22 marriage registry which immigration will require along with your US marriage certificate.

The Amphoe will want something with a stamp from the US embassy. Since the embassy cannot do a certification you will do a self certification by way of an affidavit stating it is true and correct. Then that and your marriage certificate will need to be translated to Thai and certified by the MFA, The translation service can do the MFA step for you.

The Amphoe will issue the Kor Ror 22, update your wife's house book and offer her the opportunity to change her family name to yours on her ID card if she chooses to.

[Mario2008]

A legalized marriage certificate is not enough.

What you need to do is:

1. have it translated into Thai.

2. have it certified by the Thai Foreign Ministry, consular department

3. copy/scan the documents for later use and keep them on file.

4. register the marriage at any amphur in Thailand.

When you register the marriage at the amphur you will get a khor rhor 22 form, which shows the marriage is registered in Thailand also. Immigration will want this document before issuing you with an extension.

They also might want a copy of the translation and certification by the Thai consular department.

(Not sure if the Thai consular department certification is needed, as it is already certified by the Thai consulate.)

[RegularReader]

I am Australian and we were married in Hong Kong, in 1994. We went through much the same verification process of our HK marriage, as you seem to have done for your US Marriage. About 5 years ago, an officer recommended we register our marriage in Thailand - which we did.

Although we still present our HK marriage documents (duly translated), more notice is taken of our Thai registration. It does seem to make life easier.

For the small inconvenience involved, I suggest this is the way to go.

[paz]

Interesting to note that Thailand with all its bureaucracy does not in fact require what the OP has done to register a foreign marriage.

Other countries would indeed.

[DrDave]

Many thanks to ubonjoe, Mario2008 and RegularReader for very helpful information.

I was at first confused by the affidavit on the US Consulate website, as it's an affirmation that I'm either single or divorced, and free to marry (which I'm neither - just want to register my existing marriage). Then, I realized that I can probably use their "blank" general purpose affidavit form to detail what it actually is that I'm affirming.

I'll start the process with the affidavit when the US Consulate makes an outreach visit here in Phuket next month. I hope our US marriage certificate makes it though all the handling in one piece, as it's become so tattered and torn from all the shuffling around the US to get the certifications we currently have!

Thanks again.

[Mario2008]

Since the document is already certified by the Thai consulate in LA, I do not think you will need to have it further certified by the US-embassy.

You could contact the consular department about this: www.consular.go.th It would save you time and money.

The Thai consular epartment will simply certify the signature of the Thai consulate in LA.

[DrDave]

I am Australian and we were married in Hong Kong, in 1994. We went through much the same verification process of our HK marriage, as you seem to have done for your US Marriage. About 5 years ago, an officer recommended we register our marriage in Thailand - which we did.

Although we still present our HK marriage documents (duly translated), more notice is taken of our Thai registration. It does seem to make life easier.

For the small inconvenience involved, I suggest this is the way to go.

Thanks for the info - very helpful!

One question: Is there any particular reason why you submit your original (but translated) HK marriage documents along with the Khor Rhor 22 when applying for your extension each year? I would think that a current Khor Rohr 22 would be enough proof that you're married.

[ubonjoe]

The blank affidavit will work.

You will just need need a copy of your marriage certificate for the translation and certification at the MFA.

[ubonjoe]

Since the document is already certified by the Thai consulate in LA, I do not think you will need to have it further certified by the US-embassy.

You could contact the consular department about this: www.consular.go.th It would save you time and money.

The Thai consular epartment will simply certify the signature of the Thai consulate in LA.

It still has to be translated to Thai and the translation certified by the MFA.

Most Amphoes are pedant about wanting to see a home country embassy stamp on documents.

[Mario2008]

Since the document is already certified by the Thai consulate in LA, I do not think you will need to have it further certified by the US-embassy.

You could contact the consular department about this: www.consular.go.th It would save you time and money.

The Thai consular epartment will simply certify the signature of the Thai consulate in LA.

It still has to be translated to Thai and the translation certified by the MFA.

Most Amphoes are pedant about wanting to see a home country embassy stamp on documents.

Yes, I believe that is what I posted earlier. Only the US-embassy certification can be skipped.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Dave

What document did you have certified by the Thai Consulate in LAX?

Oregon, where we were married, comes up with two:

-- the Marriage License, issued at the local country courthouse, which you take with you after three (3) days to a JP, judge, preacher, etc, and get married, they you may receive a....

-- nice sometimes fancy Wedding Certificate, signed by whomever did the marriage ceremony.

It is the Marriage License that is the legal document, not the wedding certificate.

Mac

[DrDave]

Dave

What document did you have certified by the Thai Consulate in LAX?

Oregon, where we were married, comes up with two:

-- the Marriage License, issued at the local country courthouse, which you take with you after three (3) days to a JP, judge, preacher, etc, and get married, they you may receive a....

-- nice sometimes fancy Wedding Certificate, signed by whomever did the marriage ceremony.

It is the Marriage License that is the legal document, not the wedding certificate.

Mac

We have a "2 in 1" document. The official document name is "LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE OF CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE" as printed at the top of the certificate. Ceremony was performed immediately at City Hall, when the license was granted. The "confidential" bit in the title is because due to an emergency, we didn't bring any witnesses with us to the ceremony.

[ThaidaGwaii]

Kind of related to this:
Can you folks let me know what I should do? Is there a better thread for the information I need?

1. My wife is Thai and we were married in Thailand
2. We are coming back to Thailand which I expect I'll get my 1 month Thai VISA when I enter Thailand
3. I'd like to apply for a married VISA (1 year?) if there is such a thing
   WHat are the conditions to be able to apply?

Is there a better way to go about this?

thanks!

[Mario2008]

Apply for a non-O visa before you fly to Thailand with proof of your marriage, this would be much easier. Besides, without a visa, the airline might not let you board the plane.

The non-O visa gives you a stay of 90 days. During the last 30 days you can apply fro a 1 year extension of stay based on your marriage. You would need to show 400,000 baht in a bank account in Thailand in your name only for 2 months OR an income of 40,000 baht a month. (This can be from abroad, in which case it must be certified by your embassy).

[ubonjoe]

Kind of related to this:

Can you folks let me know what I should do? Is there a better thread for the information I need?

1. My wife is Thai and we were married in Thailand
2. We are coming back to Thailand which I expect I'll get my 1 month Thai VISA when I enter Thailand
3. I'd like to apply for a married VISA (1 year?) if there is such a thing

   WHat are the conditions to be able to apply?

Is there a better way to go about this?

thanks!

Instead of getting a 30 day visa exempt entry I suggest you get a single or multiple entry non-o visa based on marriage before traveling. You should not have any problem getting one from the Thai embassy or consulate where you are living.

The only one year visa is a multiple entry non-o visa that gives 90 day entries for a year.

You can apply for a one year extension of stay based upon marriage at immigration. You will need to have 400k baht in a Thai bank in your name only for 60 days or proof of an income of 40k baht.

[RegularReader]

I am Australian and we were married in Hong Kong, in 1994. We went through much the same verification process of our HK marriage, as you seem to have done for your US Marriage. About 5 years ago, an officer recommended we register our marriage in Thailand - which we did.

Although we still present our HK marriage documents (duly translated), more notice is taken of our Thai registration. It does seem to make life easier.

For the small inconvenience involved, I suggest this is the way to go.

Thanks for the info - very helpful!

One question: Is there any particular reason why you submit your original (but translated) HK marriage documents along with the Khor Rhor 22 when applying for your extension each year? I would think that a current Khor Rohr 22 would be enough proof that you're married.

We probably don't need to do it, but it doesn't hurt.

It's like showing the Yellow House Book to Immigration.

Officially they don't take any notice, but it does reinforce your situation.

[ubonjoe]

The marriage certificate is a requirement by the rules. The Kor Ror 2 is an additional document they want to prove you are still married. Immigration requires you attach a copy of both to your application.

[RegularReader]

The marriage certificate is a requirement by the rules. The Kor Ror 2 is an additional document they want to prove you are still married. Immigration requires you attach a copy of both to your application.

And that's why I said "it doesn't hurt" - didn't realise it was a requirement. Maybe my wife does, as she prepares most of the documents and does much of the talking at Immigration.

The point I was making, is that over the years experience has shown me it's better to be "over-prepared" when dealing with Thai paperwork.

[KhnomKhnom]

This info is 4 yrs old. American old man and Thai wife........

We were married at the County Court House USA and obtained legal American marriage license.

Presented that in English and Thai along with

application

photos of us together, including standing by our street address on post box with home in background.

her documents.

my passport.

We did not have to visit the American Embassy in BKK, note it is an Embassy.

We did not have to visit the area nor local Thailand govt. offices, none, and did not register anything there.

After the usual round trips to the Thailand immigration, old one in BKK, I got the English words stamped in my passport "Thai Marriage."

This stood up to a visit to our home by a senior Thai immigration official coming to our home to confirm our status (arrived due to a different mix up). Visit was one yr later. Ended OK.

[smotherb]

Interesting to note that Thailand with all its bureaucracy does not in fact require what the OP has done to register a foreign marriage.

Other countries would indeed.

I believe for a foreigner to marry a Thai legally in Thailand, the foreigner is required to have, among other marriage-related documents, a document of registry of the foreigner's marriage to a Thai from the foreigner's embassy.

[ubonjoe]

Interesting to note that Thailand with all its bureaucracy does not in fact require what the OP has done to register a foreign marriage.

Other countries would indeed.

I believe for a foreigner to marry a Thai legally in Thailand, the foreigner is required to have, among other marriage-related documents, a document of registry of the foreigner's marriage to a Thai from the foreigner's embassy.

I have no idea what you writing about.

I know of no foreign embassy that can register a marriage.

[smotherb]

Interesting to note that Thailand with all its bureaucracy does not in fact require what the OP has done to register a foreign marriage.

Other countries would indeed.

I believe for a foreigner to marry a Thai legally in Thailand, the foreigner is required to have, among other marriage-related documents, a document of registry of the foreigner's marriage to a Thai from the foreigner's embassy.

I have no idea what you writing about.

I know of no foreign embassy that can register a marriage.

I am not speaking of registering the marriage in Thailand. My son had to inform the US Embassy of his marriage to a Thai via a document, that was part of the paperwork requirement for the legal Thai wedding. Is this not normally the case?

[ubonjoe]

I have no idea what you writing about.

I know of no foreign embassy that can register a marriage.

I am not speaking of registering the marriage in Thailand. My son had to inform the US Embassy of his marriage to a Thai via a document, that was part of the paperwork requirement for the legal Thai wedding. Is this not normally the case?

That is the affirmation of permit to marry affidavit not a registration or informing them.

[smotherb]

I have no idea what you writing about.

I know of no foreign embassy that can register a marriage.

I am not speaking of registering the marriage in Thailand. My son had to inform the US Embassy of his marriage to a Thai via a document, that was part of the paperwork requirement for the legal Thai wedding. Is this not normally the case?

That is the affirmation of permit to marry affidavit not a registration or informing them.

Interesting, seems to be a good place to start the registration. My son said the embassy wanted to know when they were getting married, her name, id, etc. However, the US Embassy received no certification of the marriage, only the intent to marry. The trip to the US embassy was early on the same day they got married.

[ubonjoe]

I have no idea what you writing about.

I know of no foreign embassy that can register a marriage.

I am not speaking of registering the marriage in Thailand. My son had to inform the US Embassy of his marriage to a Thai via a document, that was part of the paperwork requirement for the legal Thai wedding. Is this not normally the case?

That is the affirmation of permit to marry affidavit not a registration or informing them.

Interesting, seems to be a good place to start the registration. My son said the embassy wanted to know when they were getting married, her name, id, etc. However, the US Embassy received no certification of the marriage, only the intent to marry. The trip to the US embassy was early on the same day they got married.

The embassy has a affidavit form for the affirmation with info needed on it that is what an Amphoe will want on it to do the registration. The affidavit can even be downloaded and filled out before going to the embassy.

The US does not want or require a copy of the actual marriage registration or certificate.