The Legal requirements
UK Nationals who would like to marry in Thailand can do so, as long as all the necessary paperwork has been produced completed the marriage date.
Marriage Ceremony
Only a Civil Ceremony held at the District Office (Amphur Office) will be legally recognized under Thai Law, but you can also have a religious ceremony, which can be held almost any where, from a breathtaking sandy beach, to a forest landmark, or even a Buddhist temple, ( A Traditional Buddhist ceremony can only be held at indoor venues) if you are planning a religious ceremony, you should first have your marriage registered legally, prior to religious proceedings, and remember your wedding date on the certificate, is the hold held at the official District Office
Residency Stay
Before you marry, you will need the best part of 5 days before your wedding date in order to prepare and finalize all the paperwork. Hiring the services of lawyer or Marriage registration specialist, can speed up proceedings, and minimize stress, particularly when it comes to the need for translation, and dealing with the various embassies and official departments
Basic Documentation
The basic documents you will require include:
- A 30-day tourist visa.
- A valid 10-year passport.
- An original full birth certificate.
- Decree Absolute (the final divorce paper, if applicable).
- Death Certificate (if you are a widow or widower).
- Change of Name Deed (required if you have changed your name).
- Adoption certificate (if applicable).
- If either of you are under 17 years of age you will need to be granted permission from the court in order to marry.
You should travel with both a copy and the original documents listed
Obtaining your Marriage License
On arriving in Bangkok you and your partner must visit the British Embassy in person and make an affidavit, declaring that you are both single and free to marry. You will need to bring your documents with you. The affidavit should then be translated into the Thai language. The Embassy are unable to translate the affidavit, however either your tour operator could arrange this or a lawyer. Once the document has been translated the original affidavit, along with the translation, should be brought back to the embassy where they can be notarised by a Consulate Official.
The signature of the Consulate, on both the affidavit and the translation, must be authenticated by the appropriate officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once this is done the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will issue you will a marriage license which enables you to marry in any District Office in Thailand. You will need to pay administrative fees to both the British Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the use of their services.
Obtaining your Marriage Certificate
Once you have your marriage license you can visit any District Office and submit your license along with your other documents to the Registrar. The Registrar will then register your marriage and issue you with a Marriage Certificate in Thai. You should make arrangements to have an interpreter present if you or your partner do not speak Thai.
Following the registration of your marriage you should inquire as to how the Marriage Certificate can be properly authenticated. Once the document has been authenticated you will also need to provide a translation of the marriage certificate in English. (If you are getting married with the help of a wedding planner this will often be included in the service, or will be offered for a fee). You marriage certificate can then be given to the British Embassy in Thailand, who in turn will forward the certificate to the Registrar General in the UK, nearest to where you both live. Your marriage will not be registered in the UK, your marriage certificate will simply be deposited for their records, and consequently your original marriage certificate will not be returned to you. This in no way makes your marriage in invalid. Should you both need your marriage certificate in the future the General Register Office can issue you with a copy.
For further information contact:
British Embassy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
SriAyudhya Road
Bangkok 10400
Tel: (662) 643 5000
