Some Western written marriage websites say that you can walk into any Amphur (Khet) or Registery office in Thailand and get registered. That is total nonsense.
First, you have to file your application with the local district office, also known as an ‘amphur’ or ‘khet’. Once this is done, your marriage will be legally recorded and will hold validity both in Thailand and your home country.
Legality
Getting married in Thailand is a big step, and there are legal implications. It also involves a lot of paperwork and running around government offices. It is a good idea to hire a firm that specialises in Thai marriage registration to save you time and money. It is also a good idea to consult with a family lawyer before the marriage to protect your assets.
The first step is to get an embassy clearance (also known as Affirmation of Freedom to Marry). This needs to be translated and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This normally takes two days. After this, you can take the documents to any district office in Thailand and get them registered.
Both parties should be over the age of 17 or at least of marriageable age as per their home country’s laws. However, the court may allow a couple to marry earlier than that for specific reasons. Neither party can be an insane person. Moreover, they cannot be blood relatives in the ascendant or descendant line, brothers and sisters of full or half-blood, and not even have the same adoptive parents.
If a woman has been married before, she must produce her divorce in Thailand decree before the marriage can be registered. In addition, a copy of the house registration certificate of both parties is required.
Requirements
For foreigners, the main requirement is an official certification that they are free to marry. This is normally issued by the embassy of their home country in Thailand. It can be obtained on the day of their embassy appointment or at a later date. In some cases, additional documents may be required such as proof of single status or a letter from a doctor stating that neither party is pregnant. If either party was previously married, an original and certified copy of the divorce certificate must be provided.
If a religious ceremony is planned, the requirements will vary. It is also advisable to contact the religious institution of choice for more information. Same-sex marriage is not officially recognized in Thailand, although some areas may perform symbolic ceremonies.
The final step is to register the marriage at the local district office, also known as an ‘amphur’ or ‘khet’ in Thai. The process will require you to bring all of your verified documentation and to sign in front of the registrar. It is also recommended to bring two witnesses, preferably Thai nationals.
If you have a prenuptial agreement, it is important to bring this with you as it will need to be registered at the same time as your Thailand marriage. This will ensure that any assets that you acquire after your marriage are legally protected.
Fees
It is important to note that the Embassy and the District Offices both charge a service fee for processing your application. This can be substantial depending on the complexity of your case.
There are also the fees associated with obtaining your Affidavits from your Embassy or Consulate which need to be certified as true copies. Then there are the translations, fees for the Registrar to conduct your marriage ceremony and the marriage certificates themselves. It is a good idea to engage the services of an experienced Thai law firm to assist you with the process.
The Embassy will require that the month in which you intend to register your marriage is included on your Affidavit. This does not have to be the actual month in which you marry but is a safeguard against any unexpected circumstances occurring. For example if you have booked your embassy appointment for November 30 and then the Registrar does not open on that date due to a public holiday or a computer problem, then you will need to book another embassy appointment.
It is important to note that most registry offices in Thailand are not willing to register a marriage where one of the parties is a Foreigner. Some even state on their website that they do not register Marriages between a Foreigner and a Thai National. That is just plain incorrect.
Timeline
Embassies in Thailand vary with regard to the requirements they need to verify and authenticate documents. It is advised that foreigners seeking to marry in Thailand should consult their respective embassies before coming to Bangkok to make sure they meet all the requirements. This will also help them avoid any unforeseen issues which may occur during the marriage registration process.
Regardless of the country of origin, couples should bring the certified document from their embassy (the statement affirming they are free to get married) together with certified copies of their divorce decree or death certificate (if applicable) to a reputable translator in Bangkok. The translator will then translate them into Thai and legalize them by comparing signatures of consular officers with their records. This step is essential to ensure that the marriage is valid in Thailand.
Once the documents have been translated and authenticated, they can be presented to the local district office in Bangkok known as an ‘amphur’ or ‘khet’ for marriage registration. This process can take between four and seven working days depending on the number of documents required.
Marriage is a major milestone in any relationship and is celebrated with special significance in Thai culture. For many families, marriage is a way to honor tradition and uphold social status. However, the decision to marry can be challenging for some because it often requires gaining approval from family members and extended relatives. For this reason, couples should seek the blessing of their parents and relatives before proceeding with the marriage.