I know its probably been done to death but please give me some help

[PhuketAmerican]

This is probably covered somewhere but just want some clarification to make sure I'm. correct I am a 27 year old US citizen living in Phuket 100% legally the past 3 years with a full time job staying on a non Imm B visa extended every year with my work permit. I am currently engaged to my girlfriend of 2 years and we have a wedding date set for February 5th. I downloaded this document:

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/231771/acs/marriage_affidavit.pdf

I know we need to do some paperwork at the Amphur in Phuket and that the USA recognizes this, but I don't know what else she needs to do. The kicker is, in May we are traveling to the USA for some friend's weddings. I need to get her a visa for this as well. I think it will be easier after we are married, is this a correct assumption? She has a full time job w/ proof of income, no surprises like Thai Husbands or previous visa attempts to other countries, no criminal record, etc.

Am I missing and steps to getting our marriage recognized/validated in Thailand and USA? Do I have to go the US Embassy in Bangkok? I'd like to hear please from an American who has gone through the marriage process.

Please no trolls too, ain't nobody got time for that. Thanks Thaivisa People!

[jacksam]

You may like to put a post into visa section as blokes like ubonjoe, paz, etc etc can give you really good advice about the visa for your lady to USA. Good luck son all the best.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Here's the U.S. Embassy's blurb on getting married in Thailand:

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/marriage.html

A legal marriage in Thailand consists of both parties registering their marriage in person with the local Thai Amphur (Civil Registry Office). The United States does recognize the validity of such a marriage. For American citizens marrying either Thai citizens or another American citizen, the procedure is the same. For Americans marrying a third-country national, their prospective spouse must also follow a similar procedure with their own embassy.

Procedure

Complete an affidavit at the U.S. Embassy. The affidavit form, available in our office or you may download a copy of the form here (PDF 42KB), includes all of the information required by relevant Thai law. The form must be completed and notarized at the Embassy. The notarial fee is $50 per seal. Make an appointment for a notary service.

Have the notarized affidavit translated. List of translators in the Bangkok area (PDF 50KB).

Take the affidavit and translation to:

Legalization Division

Department of Consular Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3rd Floor, 123 Chaeng Wattana Road

Tung Song Hong, Laksi District, Bangkok

Tel: 02-575-1057-8, Fax: 02-575-1054

NOTE: this office is located in a northern suburb of Bangkok, approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the Embassy.

Take the affidavit and supporting documents to a local Amphur and register yourselves as married. The Amphur will also require the following documents:

Your U.S. passport;

Identification for the other party, such as a Thai citizen's identification card; If either party is under the age of twenty, written permission from the parents with Thai translation);

If either you or your fiance have been previously married the Amphur will want to see proof that prior marriages have been terminated. Divorce or death certificates should suffice. These documents, if available, should be translated into Thai prior to presentation at the Amphur.

The Amphur’s office will provide a marriage certificate. Have the marriage certificate translated and take it for legalization at:

Legalization Division

Department of Consular Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3rd Floor, 123 Chaeng Wattana Road

Tung Song Hong, Laksi District, Bangkok

Tel: 02-575-1057-8, Fax: 02-575-1054

Bring the legalized marriage certificate to the Embassy for authentication. Make an appointment for a notarial to authenticate the marriage certificate. The notarial fee is $50 per

seal.

This last step is important if you wish to register your marriage in the United States.

NOTE: The U.S. Embassy DOES NOT register marriages and neither do we keep copies of individuals’ marriage certificates. To register your marriage in the United States, you need to contact the office of the Attorney General of your state of residence in the United States.

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Transferring this topic to the Visas for Other Countries forum

Mac