Affirmation of marriage

[npetit1]

Hi all

Sorry if this has been repeated but could someone tell me what exactly is the process for a foreigner to marry a Thai woman in Thailand. I have read that you are required first to take your pp, show proof of income and address, employment etc, get an affirmation to marry form from the UK emabassy in Thailand, then get it translated into Thai and the whole process takes about 4 days, costing I think about 4kB.

Anything else i have missed/

Thanks

Nev

[npetit1]

Also what are the implications, eg am I entitled to be a named person on the house paperwork, do I have the same rights as a Thai. If we separate does Thai law say that the wife is entitled to half of everything?

Thanks again!

[The Fat Controller]

1. Affirmation at British Embassy (appointment required) £65 currently 3,380 THB.

2. Translations, approx 1000 THB

3. Legalisation fees at Ministry of Foreign Affairs around 800 THB

4 Fees at amphur for wedding and documents 100 to 200 THB plus 600-800 THB for a nice holder

As for timescales, I did 1,2 and 3 in the same day during the troubles of Feb 2014 when MFA had moved out of their usual building and 4 could have been done the following day if we had wished.

Others may have more up to date information.

[Mario2008]

1. get an affirmation letter from your embassy.

2. Have the leter translated int tThai, costs about 400 baht.

3. Have the letter plus translation certified at the Thai Consular Department, costs 400 baht and for 65 baht they send it to your home by EMS within a week. 800 baht if you want same day service, but must be there befor 12:00.

4. Have the certified documents copied/scaned for later use, immigration might ask for it.

5. Go to any amphur, get married and ask for a copy of the entry into the wedding register (khor rhor 2 form). You will also get the flowery khor rhor 3 form. This cost about 20 to 50 baht.

If you do not bring two witnesses of your won, the amphur normally provides witnesses, but might require some money for it. (Depends on the amphur staff).

You are now officially married.

[Mario2008]

Also what are the implications, eg am I entitled to be a named person on the house paperwork, do I have the same rights as a Thai. If we separate does Thai law say that the wife is entitled to half of everything?

Thanks again!

Beter ask in the marriage forum: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/164-marriage-and-divorce/

This part of the forum deals with visa questions.

[ubonjoe]

Info on UK embassy website for getting married and sample affirmation is here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/information-for-british-nationals-intending-to-marry-in-thailand

[williewolf]

I got married in Dec 2014 a short story of my experience is in the marriage/divorce foroum

ww.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788558-marriage-processmy-follow-up-story/

Plenty of good advice can be found here

[rawhod]

If you have been previously married, you will need the original divorce decree for the embassy to issue the affirmation of freedom to marry.

[npetit1]

Ok thanks everyone. I am trying to find this elusive affirmation form which the embassy said I could download. Anyone know the link please?

[ubonjoe]

Click the link in my last post.

[nzexpat]

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Ok thanks everyone. I am trying to find this elusive affirmation form which the embassy said I could download. Anyone know the link please?

A very simple Google search reveals this !

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/information-for-british-nationals-intending-to-marry-in-thailand

[casualbiker]

Also what are the implications, eg am I entitled to be a named person on the house paperwork, do I have the same rights as a Thai. If we separate does Thai law say that the wife is entitled to half of everything?

Thanks again!

Yes. No. Yes 1/2 everything purchased during the marriage. Nothing before.

[npetit1]

Thank you everyone. It goes to show how invaluable these forums are and you guys taking the time to answer our questions! Thanks

[npetit1]

Does anyone have the correct contact number and address for the Thai consulate in Nonthaburi? and do you know offhand if they are open for business on Friday May 1st. How long does the process take once affirmation has been completed at the UK embassy and will I receive my O visa on the day?

Thanks

[nzexpat]

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Does anyone have the correct contact number and address for the Thai consulate in Nonthaburi? and do you know offhand if they are open for business on Friday May 1st. How long does the process take once affirmation has been completed at the UK embassy and will I receive my O visa on the day?

Thanks

Care to re - state exactly what is being looked for?

There are no Thai consulates inside Thailand !

[npetit1]

Ok, sorry my mistake. Once I have completed the affirmation at the UK embassy I need to then go where to complete the marriage process. I live in Bangkok.

[ubonjoe]

Does anyone have the correct contact number and address for the Thai consulate in Nonthaburi? and do you know offhand if they are open for business on Friday May 1st. How long does the process take once affirmation has been completed at the UK embassy and will I receive my O visa on the day?

Thanks

Once you have the affirmation of permit to marry translated and the translation certified you have to go to an Amphoe with your wife to be and register your marriage. Perhaps your fiancee could look here and find the Amphoe you want to use here. http://www.amphoe.com/main.php

All Thai government offices will be open on May 1st but will be closed on the 4th and 5th.

After you register your marriage you cannot just apply for a non-o visa here in the country. You can apply for a conversion to a non immigrant visa entry at Bangkok immigration based upon qualifying for an extension of stay based upon marriage. You would have meet the financial requirements as well as supply all the required documents for an extension.

[ricky2002]

Don't forget everyone intending to get affirmation to marry at the UK embassy in Bangkok that you must make an appointment; online. My intended and I turned up there and found this requirement as I had not read this latest requirement on their website. It was sometime in late March of this year (23rd March? 2015) that this was changed. It was surprising how many couples where showing up and being directed to read the notice on the office window to read this information. Fortunately the company translating my documents did it for us and we were able to get the affirmation signed and stamped two days later. The translating company printed out my affirmation, after checking for a few typos, it was then submitted successfully at the embassy. If I had followed the guidelines (specimen copy of the form ) on the UK website I'm positive I could have printed this out myself on my home pc, One guy I talked to was turned away to get just 2 letters inserted because his address had not got UK after his home address. Always best to get it all checked through before the procedure. The same translation company we paid for this affirmation to be copied and they then sent it to be checked and verified. We were told that it meant a very early start the next day to get this done (300bht) so I got them to do this . It was ready for us the next day (13.00pm) and we went to a local office and was married (40bht!) the only small mistake we made was that on the paper it read for us to be married in April and in Bangkok: if we had noticed, we would have got it to read;- marry in her home amphur office. Unbelievably a couple turned up at the amphur to get married without any paperwork and the lady on the reception borrowed my papers to show them what was required !!..........................................Hope this is of help to someone,

[bentarm44]

Info on UK embassy website for getting married and sample affirmation is here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/information-for-british-nationals-intending-to-marry-in-thailand

I see this affirmation form asks about employment and wages.

I've spent the last 6 years in Thailand on a visa extended for reasons of retirement.

I was thinking of getting married to the Thai female I've spent the last 9 years with.

So, if I state I am unemployed with no income (apart from my private pension, I'm 62); as is obvious from the various stamps recorded in my passport; any idea what the result will be of my affirmation request ?

[sunnyjim5]

Info on UK embassy website for getting married and sample affirmation is here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/information-for-british-nationals-intending-to-marry-in-thailand

I see this affirmation form asks about employment and wages.

I've spent the last 6 years in Thailand on a visa extended for reasons of retirement.

I was thinking of getting married to the Thai female I've spent the last 9 years with.

So, if I state I am unemployed with no income (apart from my private pension, I'm 62); as is obvious from the various stamps recorded in my passport; any idea what the result will be of my affirmation request ?

An affirmation is just a statement you make and swear to be true.

There is nothing wrong about stating you are retired and receiving a pension.

[bentarm44]

I also note the statement that ;

Your partner will need to get an affirmation as well.

How is that normally done ?

I am assuming the intended partner (Thai female) is indeed single.

[bentarm44]

Info on UK embassy website for getting married and sample affirmation is here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/information-for-british-nationals-intending-to-marry-in-thailand

I see this affirmation form asks about employment and wages.

I've spent the last 6 years in Thailand on a visa extended for reasons of retirement.

I was thinking of getting married to the Thai female I've spent the last 9 years with.

So, if I state I am unemployed with no income (apart from my private pension, I'm 62); as is obvious from the various stamps recorded in my passport; any idea what the result will be of my affirmation request ?

An affirmation is just a statement you make and swear to be true.

There is nothing wrong about stating you are retired and receiving a pension.

Thanks for that Jim, my thoughts too.

[ubonjoe]

I also note the statement that ;

Your partner will need to get an affirmation as well.

How is that normally done ?

I am assuming the intended partner (Thai female) is indeed single.

That is only needed if you are not getting married to a Thai.

They only need to look at her records at the Amphoe when you register your marriage.

[bentarm44]

Thanks Joe; I recon that will go alright as almost no one round here goes the full 9 yards with their marriage.

A party and maybe something down the temple seems to suffice.

[Eclipse]

Thanks Joe; I recon that will go alright as almost no one round here goes the full 9 yards with their marriage.

A party and maybe something down the temple seems to suffice.

In that case they are not married.

They are boyfriend and girlfriend.

[sunnyjim5]

Thanks Joe; I recon that will go alright as almost no one round here goes the full 9 yards with their marriage.

A party and maybe something down the temple seems to suffice.

In that case they are not married.

They are boyfriend and girlfriend.

There are many parts of the world where marriage can be based on other than a legally binding contract.

In Thailand a "religious" ceremony is recognised by many as being legitimate even if the marriage is not registered. Such couples are indeed 'man and wife' and acknowledged as such within their communities.

[Eclipse]

Thanks Joe; I recon that will go alright as almost no one round here goes the full 9 yards with their marriage.

A party and maybe something down the temple seems to suffice.

In that case they are not married.

They are boyfriend and girlfriend.

There are many parts of the world where marriage can be based on other than a legally binding contract.

In Thailand a "religious" ceremony is recognised by many as being legitimate even if the marriage is not registered. Such couples are indeed 'man and wife' and acknowledged as such within their communities.

But not in law. So they are not married.

A few monks chanting and a jolly up does not make a marriage.

And it wont get any alien a Visa.

[sunnyjim5]

Thanks Joe; I recon that will go alright as almost no one round here goes the full 9 yards with their marriage.

A party and maybe something down the temple seems to suffice.

In that case they are not married.

They are boyfriend and girlfriend.

There are many parts of the world where marriage can be based on other than a legally binding contract.

In Thailand a "religious" ceremony is recognised by many as being legitimate even if the marriage is not registered. Such couples are indeed 'man and wife' and acknowledged as such within their communities.

But not in law. So they are not married.

A few monks chanting and a jolly up does not make a marriage.

And it wont get any alien a Visa.

Sorry but that is just your view of what "marriage" should be.

There are many forms of "marriage" and they are all "legal" within the communities and cultures that accept a form of marriage which does not require "legal" contracts and documentation.

Within the West the concept of a Common Law marriage is accepted even within the legal system !

[KC 71]

I remember going through the process in Bangkok.it ran smoothly mostly.

The guy in front was with a hottie half his age.

Then when my wife had to sign( she cant read or write) the lady had to fill in most of the form for her.and the lady then asked her ' why does he like you ' !!!!!

My wife is older than me and the fact she never went to school doesn't bother me one bit. No school- but cooking for the family at the age of 7 suits me just fine !

Call me old fashioned - but give me mountain people any day..I'm from the North too- so same same but different.

[laolover88]

Well what a storm in a teacup!!

Not sure where to start.

I am presuming OP is a UK citizen. I am presuming OP has a valid UK passport. I am presuming. OP has, if required a UK Birth Certificate. If the OP was previously married I presume he has the ORIGINAL of the Dissolution of Marriage from a UK court, if he was married in the UK..the one with the red stamp not a photocopy. If he was never married anywhere that becomes irrelevant. An original P60 is a good idea as well as other original proof of income.If he has a UK address a Council Tax bill would be good. I am presuming too that the OP wishes to marry a Thai national......

As I understand it, provided that all original documents, together with the affidavit, are submitted to the Consular Section of the British Embassy (and you will need to check the present obligatory payment method..Money orders from a Thai Post Office made out to their preferred location are OK..and send the whole lot EMS to Bangkok with the return address and payment for EMS, they will check the UK registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths and subsequently issue your affidavit.

Then go to an agent ..one of those by the BTS Station by the Embassy. Mildee SornBunthong at Express Translation is good.She will translate everything into Thai and take it to The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.They will confirm your freedom to marry. Thailand being light years ahead of the UK is able through the girl's ID Card and Tabian Baan to establish her legal status as single instantly. But do e aware that legal, formal marriage in Thailand is very much optional.

You take all this to your local Amphoe with or without witnesses and you will be married.

Then you MUST have your Marriage Registered and that needs to be certified also by the MFA. The British Embassy will not register a marriage. The obvious thing to do next is to have all the Thai documents translated into English. Your marriage will be recognised by both the Thai and English authorities. You can register your marriage in the UK in Stockport but it has little meaning.

Regrettably, whatever one's views on civil partnerships, and temple weddings may be they have NO legal status, not even in Thailand. The woman's family may have quite a different view! The 50/50 split of assets on divorce only relates to marriage. Of course both Thai and English courts will have a view on the division of assets and the custody of children, but that would, I think, require in Thailand a civil action