Marriage in Thailand is not valid unless it is officially recorded in the government’s Marriage Register. To do this take your affirmation to the local district office along with a copy of your passport.
For many women a marriage with a Western man is part of their strategy to overcome family social pressures and achieve greater individual autonomy and economic mobility.
Affirmation of Freedom to Marry
The first thing you’ll need is an affirmation of freedom to marry (or an affidavit, for the US). This will be issued by your Embassy in Bangkok.
This is a requirement for all foreigners getting married in Thailand. The affirmation must be professionally translated into Thai and then certified by your Ministry of Foreign Affairs office.
Once you have your affidavit you can register your marriage at the local district office (known as an Amphur). This makes it legally binding.
You may need to bring additional documentation, depending on your country’s laws and those of Thailand. For example, a divorce decree or death certificate of a previous spouse may be required for Canadian couples.
Some countries, such as the United States and South Korea, are part of a convention called the Hague, which streamlines document legalization processes. Others require an authentication certificate, which is a more involved process and typically takes longer. Obtaining these certificates can be complicated, so it’s best to talk to a lawyer before you arrive in Thailand.
Translations
Getting married in Thailand is an exciting and joyous occasion. However, the process is complex and requires careful planning and attention to detail. Often, important documents need to be translated into Thai in order to comply with local laws and requirements.
Our translation service is a fast, affordable solution for all your translation needs in Thailand. We work with native-speaking translators and can handle a variety of document types. Whether you need a translation for immigration or visa applications, legal cases, or a name change in your home country, we can help.
Most foreign business documents are written in English, and you will need them translated into Thai for official use. We offer legal translations into Thai for all types of business documents, including patent applications, non-disclosure agreements, company merger and acquisition agreements, commercial contracts, personal records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates), wills, employment contracts, and more. We can also get your translations certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for use in Thailand.
Legalization
In Thailand only officially registered marriages entered into the government’s register will give you rights and responsibilities as husband and wife under Thai family law. De-facto informal or common law marriages are not recognized.
After your embassy issues the appropriate certifications you need to take them to a reputable translation office to have them translated into Thai language. Then you need to submit them for legalization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The process can be a bit slow, but it’s worth the hassle to get your marriage recognized as a legal union under Thai law. This means you can be granted citizenship and work in Thailand as a married couple. A legal marriage also makes it easier to end your relationship through a formal divorce in Thailand procedure. It can also help prevent misunderstandings about personal properties in the event of a separation or death.
Registration
Once the embassy issues your statement of affirmation to marry and certified copies of any divorce or death certificates, you can take them to a reputable translator and have them translated into Thai. You then need to bring the translations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for legalization. They compare signatures on the documents to their records to certify they are authentic.
Once this is done, you can go to any district office (also known as an Amphoe) within the province stated on your statement of affirmation to officially register your marriage. A copy of your passport is also required.
Having your marriage registered is important because only legally married couples are entitled to the rights, benefits and duties of husband and wife under Thai law. De-facto informal marriages or religious ceremonies are not recognized as legal marriages in Thailand. Also, both parties must be over the age of 17, or at least have reached the legal marriageable age in their home country.