You are here: Home / Visa Stuff / Getting Married in Thailand – The DIY Guide!

Getting Married in Thailand – The DIY Guide!

Please note that the express service is not currently available at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), so the quickest you will be able to get your paperwork legalized is 48 hours.

This means that technically it is no longer possible to do this entire process in one day, because you won't be able to go to your embassy, get the translations done, and receive your documents back the same day.

Please also bear in mind that some district offices (amphur) now have a marriage limit of 8 couples per day, and may require you to make an appointment in advance. Some offices are quoting up to a month's wait.

However, for those marrying a Thai national, it is a good idea to speak with the district office in your partner's home town, as readers have reported quicker appointment booking and a smoother process outside of big cities and tourist areas.

Please also note that foreign national marriages may be subject to a paperwork check by the district office in which they want to get married. This involves sending the paperwork back to the MFA for verification. This can take up to 40 days!

In this case, using an agent or wedding company is the best option for an expedited process. Or, if your Thai partner has a contact at her/his hometown district office, they may be able to avoid the MFA verification, if you catch my drift.

I strongly suggest reading through the latest comments at the end of this article where readers share their most recent experiences.

Okay, let's begin.

getting-married-thailand

Contents

  1. Hiring an Agent
  2. Getting Married in Thailand
  3. Step 1: Freedom to Marry & Passport Authentication
  4. Step 2: Official Document Translation
  5. Step 3: Consular Affairs Legalization
  6. Marriage Registrar Required Documents
  7. Where to Get Married (District Offices in Bangkok)
  8. Marriage Certificate Translation
  9. One Last Thing

Hiring an Agent

This post focusses on completing the process yourself without an agent, but I thought I'd start here to make you aware that you have this option. Moreover, given the current climate, an agent may be able to expedite the process for you.

Personally, I prefer to handle things myself, having complete control over efficiency and organization.

Also consider that having an agent doesn't eliminate the first step of the process (the trip to the embassy), and costs considerably more.

Quotes range from 15,000-50,000 Baht for the agent's fee. Do shop around for quotes. Anything under 25,000 is okay, I guess.

A good tip is to get your Thai partner to Google for an agent in Thai, as this will likely yield cheaper quotes.

Make sure you ask if the quote includes the embassy affirmation fee and the translations.

Getting Married in Thailand

Whether you're a foreign national marrying a Thai national, or a foreign couple coming to Thailand to get married, you'll need to jump through three hoops before you can officially tie the knot.

  1. Obtain a freedom to marry document (affirmation), and get your passport verified, both from your home country's embassy in Thailand.
  2. Get these documents translated by an official translation company.
  3. Get the documents legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

After these three steps, you can register your marriage at a district office (known locally as an amphur).

The marriage will only be recognized under the law of your home country if it is valid under Thai law. In other words, simply having a Buddhist marriage ceremony in Thailand doesn't mean you are legally married, though it is a good way to get married without actually getting married (easier to escape, haha!)

It is still very possible to complete the process of getting the correct documentation together in one day, although without the express service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you will have to wait to get your finalized documents back.

Realistically, you will need one day for your embassy appointment, translations and MFA submission.

Then you will get a slip that tells you when you can pick your documents up (from the MFA), which is usually within 2 days. You'll then need another day for the marriage registration (depending on the terms of the district office you choose).

Remember, if you are both foreign nationals, you will need to consider this process for two persons.

Step 1: Freedom to Marry Affirmation & Passport Authentication

Affirmation of Freedom to Marry

You must first go to your embassy to obtain an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry in Thailand.

Your embassy will most likely require you to make an appointment to get your affirmation done. Some do, dome don't.

British nationals DO need to make an appointment to get an affirmation. The consular accepts appointments 08:00 – 11:00 on Monday – Friday.

The cost depends on the embassy, but will be around the 3,500 Baht mark.  It costs 2,860 Thai Baht at the British embassy.

Yes, it's an expensive stamp.

Get the earliest appointment you can, closest to the opening time of the embassy, which should be 8am.

If your embassy has the affirmation form online, print it out from embassy website before you go, and fill in the relevant sections. For the British embassy, you will need to print the form.

You will need your passport, and if you've been married before, make sure you have documentation to prove that any previous marriages have been dissolved/terminated (an appropriate death certificate or divorce certificate).

This certificate, if not in English, must be accompanied by an English translation. Only the original or an official certified copy will be accepted – photocopies will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Passport Authentication

Due to a new requirement, you also need your passport certified by the embassy and then translated into Thai.

That means the photo page and the page above or below it, (depending on which country you are from).

This can be done at the same appointment you will attend for your freedom to marry affirmation. For British nationals, you can choose to do both at your appointment when booking using the online system.

Book an early appointment to ensure you leave yourself plenty of time. If your embassy offers a walk-in service, get there at opening time.

NOTE: Carry a photocopy of your passport with you. You will need this for Step 3. 

Step 2: Affirmation & Passport Translation

You now need the affirmation and your passport authentication translated into Thai.

This will cost between 300-600 Baht, per document, depending on where you go.

The officer at Chaeng Wattana (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) will stamp your affirmation and passport translation. You will then show this at the Amphur (district office) at your appointment to marry.

For the translation, you have two choices.

Because the majority of embassies are in and around Wireless Road, for most it will be easy to get a translation done in this area.

If you walk to the top of Wireless Road (back toward Pleon Chit BTS station) and up over the bridge onto the other side of the road, you'll be standing outside a language school called Language Express.

Go past the school and turn right. Along this side road you'll find a number of reputable translation services.

* Please note that the UK embassy is now located at the AIA Sathorn Tower, Floor 12 A 11/1 S Sathorn Rd, 10120.

Don't dilly dally: choose a translation centre quickly and make it clear you are on a deadline, otherwise you won't get to the MFA before lunchtime.

They should be able to do the translations within 1 hour. If they say they can't do it so quickly, let them know you can pay a little extra.

Alternatively, get in a taxi and go straight to Chaeng Wattana to the Department of Consular Affairs.

This might be preferable because the traffic will be dying down just after rush hour. This journey will cost around 150 Baht.

Do take the tollway (60 Baht) if the driver suggests it. This route is much quicker.

You can get your translations done at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, although it may cost more because the touts will be aware you have no choice but to pay to have your documents authenticated there. However, if option 1 doesn't work out, this option is a sure thing.

Immigration Office Address:

Tell the taxi you want to go to the “Chang Wattana pass-a-bort (or immigration) off-ice!”

Show him/her the address in Thai: สำนักงานหนังสือเดินทาง ถนนแจ้งวัฒนะ เขตหลักสี่

If you have a smartphone with a decent size screen, show him on this Google Map.

The  Legalisation Division
Department of Consular Affairs
123 Chaeng Wattana Road,
Laksi District, Bangkok 10210

Tel : +66 (0) 2 575 1056–59,  0 2981 7171
Fax : +66 (0) 2 575 1054
(08:30 – 15:30 hrs)

Note that you can also get this process done at the new office at Klong Toey MRT station. The new office is in the Metro Mall area of the station:

Klong Toey MRT Station
ถนน พระรามที่ 4 คลองเตย
Bangkok, 10110
(08:30 – 15:30 hrs)

Here's a link to a Google Map.

Step 3: Thai Consular Affairs Authentication (MFA)

If possible, I  recommend doing your embassy visit – to get your freedom to marry affirmation and your passport verified (and your translations too) – and trip to the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs in one day.

If you can get an early appointment at your embassy, you should be able to make it to the MFA before lunchtime. Remember: the express 1-day service is only available if you get your documents in before 9.30am, but isn't currently available as of this article update.

When you arrive at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if you still need your documents translating, you can choose one of the services downstairs.

You will be approached as soon as you enter by touts for the translation services, so do a bit of bartering (starting at 400 Baht). Don't stress too much over 100 Baht or so, just get it done with the company offering the fastest service and move on.

Note: staff take lunch at 12pm. You'll have to wait an hour until they come back on duty.

Try to get a ticket and get in the queue before they go to lunch. If you make it through processing before lunch, then great. If not, no worries.

Once you have the translation, go to the 3rd floor: up the escalator, turn right and up the stairs.

Go to the desk straight ahead of you and give in your affirmation and its translation, passport translation and photocopy of your passport to the lady at the desk.

Now proceed through the white door over on the other side of the room; the lady will direct you.

Here you will get your documents checked by someone who looks very official. Once you get the okay, you will be asked to take a seat and wait to be called. Keep your eye on the queuing system, you don't want to miss your number.

Once called, you will be given a day to collect your authenticated documents and the option to have them posted to you. The standard pick-up/delivery time is 2 days.

When you get your documents back, you have completed the process.

Keep everything safely together in an envelope. You will need all these documents to present to the Amphur office (government office) of your choice when you go to register your marriage after the ceremony.

Of course, you can register your marriage before the ceremony, it's up to you.

If you've finished early, you could go to a local district office and book an appointment to get married. You might be able to get an appointment for the next day, depending on the location.

Marriage Documents Required by the Registrar

When you go to register your marriage at the government office, you will need to take the following documents:

  1. Your passport – 2 copies
  2. Your visa – copy this too
  3. Your fiancee's ID card (for Thai nationals only) – 2 copies
  4. The Letter of Affirmation of Freedom to Marry (the original & the certified translation, plus copies of both)
  5. The MFA stamped translation of your passport
  6. Your fiancee's Tabien Baan (house log) (Thai nationals only) – 2  copies
  7. You will also need two witnesses. The rules may vary between district offices regarding who can be a witness. We used two Thai friends, but some offices may require one or two family members, and some may even offer a witness service for a fee.

Where to Get Married? District Offices in Bangkok (Amphur)

In the old days you could pretty much roll up and get married on the spot. You'd grab two members of the public as witnesses and do it Vegas style.

Nowadays, some district offices (amphur) require you to make an appointment, while others will only accept two family members as witnesses, and some even go as far as to send your documents back to the MFA for verification.

If you are marrying a Thai national, the easiest place to get married is most likely going to be the district office in your partner's home town.

This is because, chances are, someone at the local amphur knows your partner, or a member of her family, or perhaps a close friend. There is usually some connection that makes for an easier ride. Being a local means others are generally more willing to help.

However, if you're in Bangkok, then you might as well get the job done there.

The best place to check for varying experiences with at district offices is in the comments section below, but here's a few you might try:

  • Lak Si: Marries 8 couples a day. Make an appointment in advance.
  • Bangrak: Requires two family members as witnesses.
  • Huay Kwang: Accepts friends a witnesses.

*Where possible call the district office first and ask what their requirements are.

Marriage Certificate Translation

When your marriage is registered you will be given two original certificates. You should make photocopies for your records.

You should also obtain an official translation of your marriage certificate into your native language. This is useful because you may need the certificate once back in your home country to obtain other legal documents such as a child's passport or a visa for your wife.

A note for British nationals: You no longer need to file your marriage certificate back in the UK. They did away with this requirement a number of years ago.

One Last Thing!

If you're planning on getting married in Thailand, then you'll want everything to go as smoothly as possible.

That means making sure you have travel insurance with adequate coverage, just in case the something doesn't quite go to plan. Maybe you lose your case, miss your flight, break a finger, lose your wallet.

Don't chance it.

Check out Safetywing for solid insurance that covers a broad range of eventualities.

And if you want the best prices on hotels in Bangkok, Samui, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and more, check out this page. 

More Tips for Married Life

Improve Your Thai Skills:

Learning Thai makes life here easier and more fun. I use Thaipod101. It is free to get started & easy to use.

Send Money to Thailand:

Use Wise. It is fast, cheap, and gives you the market exchange rate. Me and the majority of my readers are using it.

Get Help with Pension or Investment Planning

Connect with my trusted, personal Independent Financial Advisor using this form



Last Updated on

Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  1. Eddie says

    I went to get my documents legalised today with my translated Affirmation and passport. They said that the embassy has to stamp the copy of my passport. Is this true? I have the translation but they wouldn't touch it. They just said we can only legalise the affirmation you need a stamp from your embassy for you passport. The embassy did not tell me this. Can anyone elaborate?
    Reply

    • Robert Royston-Cornick says

      Hi Eddie,

      I visited the MFA on 9th March, for Affirmation of right to Marry, encountered no problems.
      Took my copy and stamped translation. Only required to give a copy of my passport and Visa stamp in Passport, (on 30 day Tourist at present).

      You will however require a certified copy of your passport, translated.
      As detailed by Peters in depth Blogg on this issue.

      Nearly missed it, as probably read to fast and only nearing the last line caught it.

      Peter may be an idea to highlight this in the Embassy Affirmation section, hope not offended, not my intention. Only trying to help.

      To continue, on my experience with this task.
      Embassy good concise and informative, computers available in waiting area, in case of ammendments to documents.
      As stated by your blogg numerous translation offices, to right of translation school.
      In the end chose translation on left Translation Express 500 each, affirmation and Passport. Chose these as did not try to ppush doing the full service for an extra 1800Bht.
      By the time translation completed. 12:30.
      Jumped straight in taxi, took Tollway on Peters recommendation.
      Arriving MFA
      At approx 1pm.
      Service quick and efficient, paperwork checked, forms filled in fee paid 400Bht plus 40 Bht Postal Service. Clear of building by 13:45.
      Painless

      Many thanks Peter without your information would have been a complete chore.

      Regards

      Robert
      Reply

    • Geoff Baker says

      Yes just had the same. The Embassy said you only need them to stamp a copy of your passport (expensive) if you wanted to marry at Ban Rat Amphor.

      However, at the MFA they said I needed it and also at another Amphor. They would not accept a copy and a translation. The next free appointment at the British Embassy is not for another month.

      So anyone else getting their Affirmation stamped at the British Embassy should get their passport done at the same time now.
      Reply

  3. Ken Cheong says

    Hi. Thank you for sharing this valuable information. I am from Malaysia and my partner is a Thai lady and we are both divorcee. I have a few questions to ask.

    1. I have all my documents translated in Malaysia to Thai and certify by Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Is it valid for my submission in Thailand for marriage registration? (Maritial Status Document, Divorce Records, Passport)

    2. I will be in Thailand from 28/4/2018 till 8/5/2018 but I will travelling to my wife hometown on 28/4/2018 till 2/5/2018. I will be back to bangkok on 3/5/2018 for my submission for marriage. Do you think we have enough time to get our marriage done in time before 8/5/2018?

    Thank you very much. Really need your kind feedback on my matter.

    Regards,

    Ken Cheong
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      1. No. You need to obtain your freedom to marry document from the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok. Then get it translated in Bangkok, and then take it to the MFA to get it authenticated/legalised.2. If it is just the marriage registration part then yes, but to do all the documents, no. Why not do all the documentation first, then go to your wife's hometown and marry at the district office there?
      Reply

      • Ken Cheong says

        Hi. Thank you for your feedback.

        1. No matter what. I must have the freedom of marry document from Malaysia embassy in Bangkok. Can I get this document done in Malaysia or only Bangkok? I am currently working in Myanmar, so can i get it here in Myanmar?

        2. I can register in at my wife hometown district office? My wife check with the local district office that we need to register at Bangkok only because i am a foreigner. Advise please?

        Thank you.
        Reply

  5. dean says

    Thank you! Your post explained perfectly how to get married in Thailand! One question is can we get the Thai marriage certificate translated into English in L.A? If so do we then take it to the county registrar to get the licence and certificate here in the states? Thank you!!

    Dean
    Reply

  6. chris says

    We plan to do our affirmation on 16 March and my partner for phillipines has to wait 11 days for her document .

    We are going to Cambodia on 18th March We will do our district office on 17th April. Is it ok to use the new arrival card for mfa as I'm concerned that this could affect things as i believe they ask for your arrival card to copy for the affirmation?
    Reply

      • Robert Royston - Cornick. says

        Hi Peter,
        Rob again, yes you perfectly correct, MFA excepted my photo copy of Visa tourist, as a matter of course. It raised no issues with them.

        Further to that my District office are of the same vein. Only require it to ensure your not an illegai in Thailand.

        Yours

        Rob
        Reply

  7. JWNYsg says

    This has been very useful. Thank you for your write up.

    Could i kindly check on Step 3. is this a long process? If i have the completed documents already translated - how long would the wait be if i come at 0830?

    I plan to do the express service and was hoping everything could be done for Step 3 before lunch

    Many thanks
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      If you arrive at the MFA that early you will be in and out in less than 2 hours, probably. But you have to wait up to 72 hours now to collect the documents. They don't do the same day service like they used to.
      Reply

  8. Guy says

    Hi. Firstly, thanks very much for the great information - very much appreciated.

    I live and work in Thailand. I have an appointment for an AFM at the British Embassy in BKK in April. I have downloaded the 'Application Pack' from the website. There is a section where you have to put the province, month and year when I plan to register the marriage. My question is 'is this set in stone?' i.e if I haven't actually decided if I want to get married in Bangkok or Koh Samui or if I haven't decided if I want to register the marriage in July or August, can it be changed?

    I'm assuming not as everything needs to be translated. Therefore am I correct in assuming that I have to plan the actual marriage location and month before my interview for the AFM?

    Thanks for any help.
    Reply

  9. Chris says

    HI. I am from the UK but My partner from Phillipines. We arrive in bangkok March 15 for 3 nights to do the affirmation. She has a affirmation process of 11 days from the date of taking in her documents. When we return to Bangkok we are only there 3 nights 2 days. if the pick up time is 72 hours can it be delivered to our home address abroad translated? Otherwise I will have to extend and change all my flights. Thx

    Chris
    Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          The district office is where you register your marriage. The MFA is where you get your documents legalised (signed off). So yes, if you want to get married, you have to go to an amphur ( a district office). You will need two witnesses to get married there. Also, keep your receipts from your embassy, translations, and the MFA. You may be asked for these.
          Reply

            • TheThailandLife says

              No. It takes up to 3 days to process your documents. So you will have to wait and then pick them up when they are ready. A reader recently reported that Bangrak Amphur (district office) marries 8 couples a day. You have to arrive early and take a ticket. There are many district offices though, so you may choose to find another that doesn't get so busy. Go through all the old comments in this thread and you will find lots of advice on different district offices.
              Reply

              • chris says

                We plan to do ouraffirmation on 15 Martranslations and process at MFA on 18 Aprmarriage at Amphur 27 AprThank you1. Is there anything to wait for after Amphur 27 Apr marriage date as we fly back on 29 Apr2. How likely are we to get the exact date 27 Apr for the Amphur marriage after our MFA apt on 18 Apr?Thank you for your help
                Reply

                • TheThailandLife says

                  1. No, not once you have the certificates. Though I'd recommend getting an English translation of those at some point.2. Some Amphurs may allow you to pre-book, others you have to arrive early to be one of the 8 couples they marry per day. This seems to be a limit many are setting now, such as Bangrak for instance.All the best!
                  Reply

  10. Robert Royston - Cornick says

    TheThailandLife.

    Need help please!

    Planning to Marry in 3 months, arrived back in Thailand December, after 3 months work in Portugal.
    Previously here for 15 months 90day Retirement plus Retirement VISA.
    After having stayed 60 days through the hop out, hop in after 60 days, so back on 30 day tourist VISA.

    Have read intently your observations regarding types of VISAS.

    Sorry but, still a little bemused by conflicting info from Embassy and other sites.

    At last my question.
    Can I apply for a 90day on the Tm87 form in Thailand inlight of my upcoming marriage.

    With Kindest Regards

    Robert
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      If you're on a 30 day entry stamp, you can extend your stay by 30 days for 1,900 Baht at immigration. Your marriage will not affect this. Once married, you can apply for a Non Immigrant O visa based on marriage, but you'll need to do that outside of Thailand. You can then activate the extension for that visa once back in Thailand. If you want a multiple entry Non O based on marriage, you need to get that from the Thai Embassy or Consulate back in the UK.
      Reply

      • Robert Royston - Cornick says

        Hi Peter,
        Think this might be of interest to yourself and others in the same position as myself.
        On completing my 30 day extension today 26th Jan 2018. I interjected an enquiry regarding marriage, (bearing in mind, my family cannot visit untill next year)
        Was informed by the head of ghe immigration office, that if I supply all relevant documentation regarding, pension details, marriage details from district office, and the legalisation from MFA, they will extend my Visa by a further 60 days.
        Within which timetable, they will process my application for 1 year extension re Thai Wife.

        Yes came as a suprise, however perfect for my situation.
        When all is done its the ceremony that matters for all, not disputing the legal document from the Amphoe.

        Hope this proves useful, may assist in fellow ex-pats, saving them an expensive trip home or a weeks hop out, to visit a Thai Embassy.

        Ask you never Know!

        Kindest For all your help

        Robert
        Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

FOLLOW ME

Search TTL

Copyright © TheThailandLife.com 2024
No content on this site may be copied without written consent.

Send this to a friend