If previously married an original divorce certificate required.

[giddyup]

That is one of the requirements for obtaining a "permission to marry" from the Australian embassy. I was there today to do exactly that, so filled out the stat dec and went to the counter and the lady asked me for my original divorce papers, which I promptly handed over. She said, these actually say (header) Application for Dissolution of Marriage, something I'd never really paid attention to. Bear in mind I was divorced in 1985, 30 years ago, so it's a minor miracle I still have any kind of papers left. Whether I ever received the final papers I can't say, I certainly don't have them now. She stamped them anyway and said it's up to the Thai Dept. of Consular Affairs whether they are accepted or not.

Here's my question, what happens if you were divorced many decades ago and your divorce papers have been lost, how do you go about getting permission to marry?

[Goldieinkathu]

I got divorced in 1990 and lost my divorce papers in the move over here.

Before I could marry again I had to contact the local County Court back home where the divorce was filed to obtain a copy,there was a small fee but it wasn't difficult to get.

Like Births, Marriages and Death certificates I presume the papers are kept forever.

[ubonjoe]

Moved to the marriage and divorce forum.

[giddyup]

I got divorced in 1990 and lost my divorce papers in the move over here.

Before I could marry again I had to contact the local County Court back home where the divorce was filed to obtain a copy,there was a small fee but it wasn't difficult to get.

Like Births, Marriages and Death certificates I presume the papers are kept forever.

That's my point, they won't accept a copy, only an original.

[zeichen]

I am pretty sure if you got a copy from the city hall that is stamped with the registar's seal, you should be ok.

[sanuk711]

I done what most people (that I know) do when they go to the embassy............say I wasn't married before, saves so much time/money / & energy and makes no difference whatsoever to the legality of your Thai marriage.

(as long as you really are divorced that is)----go ask a lawyer, I did.

Your making a stat declaring to your embassy--that means they are just witnessing your signature--- (and charging you for it) there not going to send a request to Australia to hunt back 30 odd years to see if its true.----people lie on stat dec to them all the time among other things , about what income they earn for immigration visa etc etc....don't sweat the small stuff in Thailand or they will have you jumping through hoops.

[giddyup]

I done what most people (that I know) do when they go to the embassy............say I wasn't married before, saves so much time/money / & energy and makes no difference whatsoever to the legality of your Thai marriage.

(as long as you really are divorced that is)----go ask a lawyer, I did.

Your making a stat declaring to your embassy--that means they are just witnessing your signature--- (and charging you for it) there not going to send a request to Australia to hunt back 30 odd years to see if its true.----people lie on stat dec to them all the time among other things , about what income they earn for immigration visa etc etc....don't sweat the small stuff in Thailand or they will have you jumping through hoops.

In retrospect that's probably what I should have done. Honesty doesn't always pay, but I can't change it now.

[Goldieinkathu]

I am pretty sure if you got a copy from the city hall that is stamped with the registar's seal, you should be ok.

That's correct, it has the red seal on it.

[Gonsalviz]

I have never seen an original of 2. Always copies. American though.

[giddyup]

I have never seen an original of 2. Always copies. American though.

Same for Australia.

[shaurene]

I got divorced in 1990 and lost my divorce papers in the move over here.

Before I could marry again I had to contact the local County Court back home where the divorce was filed to obtain a copy,there was a small fee but it wasn't difficult to get.

Like Births, Marriages and Death certificates I presume the papers are kept forever.

That's my point, they won't accept a copy, only an original.

As long as the council office stamps it as official copy and to be sure go to your embassy in Bangkok and get it stamped as official. I showed official council copy of my wife's death cert and had it confirmed as true by the embassy in Bangkok.

[ba ba]

giddyup

if you still use the same lawyer they may still have the divorce order if not look up family law act 1975 divorce order.

i have just been through all this i took to the embassy a photo copy and they copied that and stamped that, by the way when you are getting your translation's done get the main page of your passport done

[giddyup]

giddyup

if you still use the same lawyer they may still have the divorce order if not look up family law act 1975 divorce order.

i have just been through all this i took to the embassy a photo copy and they copied that and stamped that, by the way when you are getting your translation's done get the main page of your passport done

Funny, I just emailed the lawyer in Australia and this is the response I got

"I have checked through our records and we have no records in connection with XXXXXXXX. We are a Corporate Law Firm not a Family Practice Firm and do not look after divorce proceedings".

This is clearly wrong as the name of the firm is clearly printed on the application. Not sure why you are suggesting I look up the Family Law Act.

Edited May 28, 2015 by giddyup

[Araiwa]

I have never seen an original of 2. Always copies. American though.

Same for Australia.

Same for Germany as well. Anyhow, if the original is lost you can apply for a so-called legalized copy from exactly the same family/divorce court at which you got divorced. I was divorced almost 20 years ago. I requested a legalized copy from the same court and got it within 1 week. I think in Australia it should be just the same.

[giddyup]

I have never seen an original of 2. Always copies. American though.

Same for Australia.

Same for Germany as well. Anyhow, if the original is lost you can apply for a so-called legalized copy from exactly the same family/divorce court at which you got divorced. I was divorced almost 20 years ago. I requested a legalized copy from the same court and got it within 1 week. I think in Australia it should be just the same.

Just done that, cost me $30 but should have it within a couple of weeks.

[sloperating]

I understand the Australian Family Law Court will provide, for $30, a Proof of Divorce certificate. Is this an acceptable alternative, please?

[giddyup]

I understand the Australian Family Law Court will provide, for $30, a Proof of Divorce certificate. Is this an acceptable alternative, please?

I imagine it has to be. If the original has been lost, burnt in a fire or eaten by the dog, it's gone forever, so only a certified copy can be obtained. I think the embassy would have to accept that.