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.
Contents
- Hiring an Agent
- Getting Married in Thailand
- Step 1: Freedom to Marry & Passport Authentication
- Step 2: Official Document Translation
- Step 3: Consular Affairs Legalization
- Marriage Registrar Required Documents
- Where to Get Married (District Offices in Bangkok)
- Marriage Certificate Translation
- 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.
- Obtain a freedom to marry document (affirmation), and get your passport verified, both from your home country's embassy in Thailand.
- Get these documents translated by an official translation company.
- 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:
- Your passport – 2 copies
- Your visa – copy this too
- Your fiancee's ID card (for Thai nationals only) – 2 copies
- The Letter of Affirmation of Freedom to Marry (the original & the certified translation, plus copies of both)
- The MFA stamped translation of your passport
- Your fiancee's Tabien Baan (house log) (Thai nationals only) – 2 copies
- 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.
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More Tips for Married Life
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Last Updated on
Martin says
regards Martin
Dec 05, 2018 at 8:52 pm
Seb says
Dec 06, 2018 at 8:51 am
B Cole says
Dec 01, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Seb says
Dec 02, 2018 at 8:49 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 03, 2018 at 1:22 am
Joaozinho Martins says
I am from India and plan to get married to a Filipina in Thailand in the first week of January 2019.
From your above post, I've come to know as to what documents we need to marry in Thailand. Thanks for it.
I just want to know if you can arrange an Agent to help me in the entire Marriage Registration Process and his fees for the same.
I also would like to know if you can recommend inexpensive hotels in Bangkok where I can stay.
Hoping to hear from you and thanking you,
Sincerely,
Joaozinho Martins
Nov 30, 2018 at 2:04 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 03, 2018 at 1:32 am
Claire says
My Partner and I are planning on getting married in Thailand in March 2020. We were planning on flying into Bangkok and doing all of the steps in the dance that your article covers - giving ourselves three days and then moving onto Phuket to meet with family and friends and have a ceremony, etc.
I've done all of my research and am pretty much ready to book the Ceremony and Reception but need agree on a date with the hotel. I was going to base this on landing in Bangkok on possibly a Monday then flying to Phuket on a Wednesday evening / Thursday morning. I thought it best to see how easy it is to get an appointment with the British Embassy first - to see if they only allow appointments on certain days, etc and work the dates out from there however when you try to book an appointment online - there are only two dates available next week (Monday and Friday) and other than that every day is showing as unavailable up to April 2020! Is it normal that it is so difficult to get an appointment? Without knowing what dates we would be able to have all of this sorted in Bangkok it makes it seem impossible to book a date for the wedding and internal flights, etc?
Nov 29, 2018 at 11:21 pm
Seb says
The slower route would mean an early appointment at the Embassy then straight to the MFA. Get the translations done and then present it all as stated in the article from thethailandlife. Then this can be collected on the day they specify.
Looking at your schedule, it would be arrive Monday, the Embassy Tuesday and the MFA Express Service on Wednesday then fly to Phuket that evening or Thursday.
Nov 30, 2018 at 9:27 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 03, 2018 at 1:43 am
Claire says
Thanks for your response. Sorry, my mistake - we would actually be landing Sunday evening so we would be able to start the process on Monday morning, which would then give us time.
My main concern is that we book the flights only to find that there aren’t any appointments available at the embassy on the Monday.
I guess it’s a risk that we will have to take and keep our fingers crossed that if we check the website for the weeks or two leading up to our departure from England that we will be able to get an appointment on the Monday morning.
Thanks again
Claire
Dec 04, 2018 at 2:39 am
Seb says
Dec 04, 2018 at 9:02 am
Diane says
Joanne
Nov 29, 2018 at 10:43 pm
Seb says
you followed the correct process in the country where you got married
it would be allowed under UK law
From http://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad
Nov 30, 2018 at 2:41 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 03, 2018 at 1:45 am
Daphne says
Nov 29, 2018 at 12:15 pm
BILAL KHALID says
my name is BILAL i am pakistani national and my fiancee belongs from mexico, next month we both have to go thailand for marriage ,is this is the same process we should have to follow ,and same all these documents,or some other kind of documents we have to need ,please guide us
thanks
Nov 28, 2018 at 5:19 am
Seb says
You will need to go to the Pakistan Embassy at 31 Soi Sukhumvit 3, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand.
For your fiancee, she will need to go to the Mexican Embassy at 21/60-62 S Sathorn Rd, Khwaeng Thung Maha Mek, Khet Sathon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10120, Thailand.
The following applies, "Foreigners who are wishing to marry shall appear in person with their respective passports and arrival card at their Embassy in Thailand to complete declarations attesting that he/ she is single and free to marry in accordance with Thai Law and the registration shall be effected by a Thai Diplomatic or Consular Officer". This is the Affirmation of Marriage that will be required by the MFA.
Nov 30, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Snow says
Nov 27, 2018 at 10:09 am
Seb says
Otherwise there are a number of companies very close to the BTS at Phloen Chit.
Nov 29, 2018 at 4:43 pm
DRH says
Nov 22, 2018 at 2:02 pm
TheThailandLife says
Nov 22, 2018 at 7:22 pm
Rayne says
Nov 21, 2018 at 5:37 pm
TheThailandLife says
Nov 21, 2018 at 6:34 pm