O Visa Marriage Certificate Legalization

[stevecourso]

Anybody know if the copy and the original need to be legalized by foreign embassy?  

Does the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs need to also legalize?  Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

It depends upon what you are using the marriage certificate for and where it was issued.

If married to a Thai and it was issued here no legalization is needed. 

If married to a Thai in another country it will be accepted without a translation if it is in English to apply for a visa at an embassy or consulate. For immigration to apply for a one year extension you would have to register your marriage at an Amphoe to get Kor Ror 22 which would require it to be legalized at an embassy or by the government that issued it, translated and the translation certified by the consular affairs department of the MFA,

[stevecourso]

Sorry this was not clear.  Want to get O Visa (to join my non Thai wife who is PR) and will need marriage certificate.  I have Swiss international certificate which is also in English.

Will I need to get the marriage certificate legalised by the Swiss Embassy ?  Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

10 hours ago, stevecourso said:

Sorry this was not clear.  Want to get O Visa (to join my non Thai wife who is PR) and will need marriage certificate.  I have Swiss international certificate which is also in English.

Will I need to get the marriage certificate legalised by the Swiss Embassy ?

To get the non-o visa at an embassy or consulate you will not need it to be legalized.

To apply for an extension of stay as your wife's dependent at immigration  it will need to legalized by the Swiss embassy or the government there.

[stevecourso]

BIG THANKS for the info

 

[Isaanman]

I was married to my white, farang wife in the USA.  Although the Thai Consulate in Washington D.C. accepted our notarized English copy of our marriage certificate to allow my children to get a non-immigrant "O" visa travel to Thailand with me and the local immigration office in Hat Yai accepted the same to allow them to extend their 2nd year here onto my O-A visa 6 weeks ago, they would not accept the English marriage certificate to allow my wife to extend her visa on to mine last week, as I assumed they would. They told me to go the the Songkhla Central Court (ศาลากลางจังหวัดสงขลา) and they would certify (รับรอง) it for me there after I had it translated. The lady there said the professional translation I had done was fine; but, I must get my English marriage certificate certified at the US Embassy first.  If I have read things right in these forums, I know I can only get an affidavit from the embassy in BKK. She said nothing to me about getting certification from the consular affairs department of the MFA. So, my questions are:

 

1. Is the latter something that can be done--start to finish, at the MFA in an afternoon?

2. Where in Bangkok do I go to get this translation of my US marriage certificate certified by the consular affairs department of the MFA? Do I have to go directly to that office myself? Or . . .

3. Can I have a company do that for me and mail my certified documents to me in Hat Yai, as some have said here?

4. Where would I find such services in BKK near the US Embassy? 

5. Does the MFA only accept translations from certain, registered companies?

6. Or, can I use the translation I had professionally done in Songkhla for that?

 

Lastly, do I have to write up the affidavit to be notarized at the US Embassy myself? I have no idea what kinds of things to say and would appreciate an example or explanation, if anyone has had to do this before (as the worker at the embassy affirmed).

 

Thanks 

[ubonjoe]

23 minutes ago, Isaanman said:

I was married to my white, farang wife in the USA.  Although the Thai Consulate in Washington D.C. accepted our notarized English copy of our marriage certificate to allow my children to get a non-immigrant "O" visa travel to Thailand with me and the local immigration office in Hat Yai accepted the same to allow them to extend their 2nd year here onto my O-A visa 6 weeks ago, they would not accept the English marriage certificate to allow my wife to extend her visa on to mine last week, as I assumed they would. They told me to go the the Songkhla Central Court (ศาลากลางจังหวัดสงขลา) and they would certify (รับรอง) it for me there after I had it translated. The lady there said the professional translation I had done was fine; but, I must get my English marriage certificate certified at the US Embassy first.  If I have read things right in these forums, I know I can only get an affidavit from the embassy in BKK. She said nothing to me about getting certification from the consular affairs department of the MFA. So, my questions are:

 

1. Is the latter something that can be done--start to finish, at the MFA in an afternoon?

2. Where in Bangkok do I go to get this translation of my US marriage certificate certified by the consular affairs department of the MFA? Do I have to go directly to that office myself? Or . . .

3. Can I have a company do that for me and mail my certified documents to me in Hat Yai, as some have said here?

4. Where would I find such services in BKK near the US Embassy? 

5. Does the MFA only accept translations from certain, registered companies?

6. Or, can I use the translation I had professionally done in Songkhla for that?

 

Lastly, do I have to write up the affidavit to be notarized at the US Embassy myself? I have no idea what kinds of things to say and would appreciate an example or explanation, if anyone has had to do this before (as the worker at the embassy affirmed).

 

Thanks 

You do an affidavit at the embassy to do a self certification  your marriage certificate.  Info and download of the affidavit is here. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/authentication-vital-records/ You have to make an appointment at the embassy.

1. No But you can arrange for it to be sent to you by EMS.

2/3/4. There translation offices near the embassy that will do the translation for you and get the MFA certification done for you then send it to you by EMS. List of translators is here. http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/231771/acs/translators_internet_service_photographers.pdf

5. They will accept a translation from any translator as long as it is stamped by them.

[Isaanman]

I cannot seem to find a thread that outlines the documents needed to certify marriage our certificate at the consular affairs office at the Thai MFA in Bangkok.

1. Does anyone know exactly what is needed? [I do not want to assume that all the requirements for the documents I submitted to enable my wife to extend her via on my O-A visa is the same in this case.]  

 

2. As I am traveling to BKK alone, should my wife sign every document that has her name on it?  If not, which ones, if any?

 

3. Must I submit current photographs of us together? At our present residence in Hat Yai? 

 

4. Will they also require all of the necessary documentation to validate our current residence in Hat Yai (rental agreement, house registration of owner, signed ID card by owner, map to pinpoint our exact location, etc)?   

 

I am taking everything with me, of course. But, having a checklist from someone who has done this in BKK before in recent months or someone who knows the procedure well would be very helpful. Thanks again. 

[Isaanman]

The only thing I see here is on a thread entitled "Registering US Marriage in Thailand" By BLee103 on March 28, 2017 in the Marriage and Divorce forum: 

 

"The Thai MFA want to see the original marriage certificate, the affidavit from the embassy and a translation of the documents, do bring your passport also. The merely check that the signature from the US-embassy is the real thing and that the translation is correct."

 

Can anyone affirm this? This does not seem to be very much documentation. Does the MFA require passports from both my spouse and me?

[Isaanman]

The more I read, the more questions I have.

 

Do I have to get a copy of my passport notarized at the US Embassy also and have it translated to go with my translated marriage certificate to the MFA? Is the same true for my wife's passport? And, if so, does she have to sign this PPort copy first? Some people report that they have to do this to get the MFA to certify other documents related to the final product of registering the marriage in the local amphur and receiving the much coveted Kor Ror 22 certification there! 

[ubonjoe]

8 hours ago, Isaanman said:

I cannot seem to find a thread that outlines the documents needed to certify marriage our certificate at the consular affairs office at the Thai MFA in Bangkok.

You need nothing more than the translated marriage certificate and the affidavit you will do at embassy..

They are only certifying the translation.

[Isaanman]

Some people are saying that it is unwise to give the original docs to the translation company to be submitted to the MFA (for fear of having these very valuable docs lost, I guess; I cannot see any other reason to get a notarized copy of my US passport). I assume by your reply, UbonJoe, that I will not need a translated (nor a notarized) copy of either of our passports, correct? I also am assuming that I must give them my original docs (passport, marriage certificate), especially, as I will have to have this company send all of my docs and the certified marriage certificate from the MFA down to me in Songkhla via EMS and will not remain in BKK to give submit them to them, if necessary. The only thing I am still not sure of relates to the documents of my wife that need to be submitted and, possibly, signed.

 

1. Do I need my wife to sign anything (copies of her US passport, her birth certificate, our wedding certificate, etc.)?

 

2. Do I need to submit my wife's actual US Passport (with a copy) also? 

 

3. Do I have to have a copy from the page in my (and hers?) passport(s) that indicate that we presently have permission to remain in the country for more than 15 days?  Thanks! 

[ubonjoe]

19 minutes ago, Isaanman said:

1. Do I need my wife to sign anything (copies of her US passport, her birth certificate, our wedding certificate, etc.)?

 

2. Do I need to submit my wife's actual US Passport (with a copy) also? 

 

3. Do I have to have a copy from the page in my (and hers?) passport(s) that indicate that we presently have permission to remain in the country for more than 15 days?  Thanks! 

The only thing needed for the certification of the translations is the originals and the translation of them.

You passport will not be needed at the MFA.

[JackThompson]

9 hours ago, Isaanman said:

The only thing I see here is on a thread entitled "Registering US Marriage in Thailand" By BLee103 on March 28, 2017 in the Marriage and Divorce forum: 

 

"The Thai MFA want to see the original marriage certificate, the affidavit from the embassy and a translation of the documents, do bring your passport also. The merely check that the signature from the US-embassy is the real thing and that the translation is correct."

 

Can anyone affirm this? This does not seem to be very much documentation. Does the MFA require passports from both my spouse and me?

I would say YES.  They required a copy of my passport and of my latest stamp - and would not do the work unless I had 10 days (or 15 days - 2 different stories on ow much time) or more left on my permission to stay.   This policy forced me (and another poster here) to do an extension, just to get enough 'permit-of-stay' time to get an MFA certification done, so they definitely need your passport and latest permit-of-stay stamp. 

 

My now-wife is Thai, and I supplied her ID-Card and House-Book copies along with my "to-be-certified" document - but if your wife is Farang, I would be prepared with copies of the their main-page and latest permit-of-stay stamp.

[ubonjoe]

19 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

I would say YES.  They required a copy of my passport and of my latest stamp - and would not do the work unless I had 10 days (or 15 days - 2 different stories on ow much time) or more left on my permission to stay.   This policy forced me (and another poster here) to do an extension, just to get enough 'permit-of-stay' time to get an MFA certification done, so they definitely need your passport and latest permit-of-stay stamp. 

I think what you were getting done was a affirmation of permit to marry which is not the same as getting the translation of a marriage certificate and self certification certified. 

[JackThompson]

13 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I think what you were getting done was a affirmation of permit to marry which is not the same as getting the translation of a marriage certificate and self certification certified. 

True - but I got the same runaround when looking to get my income letter certified - "need X days left on permission of stay" - which led to another extension. 

[stevecourso]

Ref,  Extension of Stay for "O" Visa based on Marriage.

Thanks for all replies.  Just want to make sure I understand.

 

For the Extension of Stay I have a marriage certificate in English 

legalized by my Embassy here.  Do I need to get the marriage certificate

translated into Thai and then legalized by the MFA?

 

Where is best to get translation in Bangkok?  And how much

trouble is it to get the legalization done at the MFA?

Thanks in adance

 

[ubonjoe]

26 minutes ago, stevecourso said:

For the Extension of Stay I have a marriage certificate in English 

legalized by my Embassy here.  Do I need to get the marriage certificate

translated into Thai and then legalized by the MFA?

If the marriage certificate and the legalization is in English a translation is not required.

26 minutes ago, stevecourso said:

Where is best to get translation in Bangkok?  And how much

trouble is it to get the legalization done at the MFA?

List of translation services is here. http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/231771/acs/translators_internet_service_photographers.pdf

Most translation services can do get the MFA certification done for a small additional fee.

[AYJAYDEE]

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

If the marriage certificate and the legalization is in English a translation is not required.

List of translation services is here. http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/231771/acs/translators_internet_service_photographers.pdf

Most translation services can do get the MFA certification done for a small additional fee.

I will be getting a 90 day non-o in vancouver consulate. to get a 60 extension, Immigration in sisaket told me last year to get my canadian marriage recorded in our town. they told me to get the vancouver thai consulate to translate our canadian marriage certificate into thai  and take this tranlation to our local admin office to register our marriage in thailand. does this sound about right to you? last year she gave me the 60 day extension based on my english language canadian cert but told me she wanted it this way from now on.

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, AYJAYDEE said:

I will be getting a 90 day non-o in vancouver consulate. to get a 60 extension, Immigration in sisaket told me last year to get my canadian marriage recorded in our town. they told me to get the vancouver thai consulate to translate our canadian marriage certificate into thai  and take this tranlation to our local admin office to register our marriage in thailand. does this sound about right to you? last year she gave me the 60 day extension based on my english language canadian cert but told me she wanted it this way from now on.

The foreign marriage registration at an Amphoe to get a Kor Ror 22 marriage registery should not be needed for a 60 day extension to visit your wife. It is only required to apply for a one year extension.

I don't think any Thai embassy or consulate offers translation services. They can be the 2nd step of getting your marriage certificate legalized. Info here on the consulate website. http://www.thaiconsulatevancouver.ca/legalization/

[AYJAYDEE]

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

The foreign marriage registration at an Amphoe to get a Kor Ror 22 marriage registery should not be needed for a 60 day extension to visit your wife. It is only required to apply for a one year extension.

I don't think any Thai embassy or consulate offers translation services. They can be the 2nd step of getting your marriage certificate legalized. Info here on the consulate website. http://www.thaiconsulatevancouver.ca/legalization/

I didnt think so either but she was adamant and I didnt want to get in a pissing match and thought it would just be easier to register in thailand. I'll call the consulate next week and see if they will do a translation for us and keep you posted. thanks for your help

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, AYJAYDEE said:

I didnt think so either but she was adamant and I didnt want to get in a pissing match and thought it would just be easier to register in thailand. I'll call the consulate next week and see if they will do a translation for us and keep you posted. thanks for your help

There is no mention of a translation service on their website. You could get the legalization done without a translation. Then have it translated here and the translation certified by the department of consular affairs of the MFA,

[AYJAYDEE]

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no mention of a translation service on their website. You could get the legalization done without a translation. Then have it translated here and the translation certified by the department of consular affairs of the MFA,

Its an official government marriage license so I expect its already considered legalized. I hope I can convince the consul to perform and certify the translation and save myself a trip to MFA

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, AYJAYDEE said:

Its an official government marriage license so I expect its already considered legalized.

That does not make it legalized.

Read what is says on the page I posted a link to about the legalization. 

[AYJAYDEE]

21 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That does not make it legalized.

Read what is says on the page I posted a link to about the legalization. 

dont quite understand what the law society does after the lawyer legalizes it

[ubonjoe]

9 minutes ago, AYJAYDEE said:

dont quite understand what the law society does after the lawyer legalizes it

If legalized by a lawyer the certify his signature it seems.

If done by a notary it is taken or sent to a different office. 

The page is a little confusing the way it is written.

[AYJAYDEE]

19 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

If legalized by a lawyer the certify his signature it seems.

If done by a notary it is taken or sent to a different office. 

The page is a little confusing the way it is written.

yep, you were right on the legalization hoopla! it will be easier and probably cheaper in the long run to get a multi entry Non-O and do one border run to cambodia.