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.
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More Tips for Married Life
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Last Updated on
Leonard Levine says
Dec 24, 2018 at 12:07 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 24, 2018 at 5:34 pm
Jaap says
Cheers,
Jaap
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:09 am
Bruce Boivin says
Jan 04, 2019 at 2:49 pm
Joe says
Dec 20, 2018 at 12:25 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 20, 2018 at 7:04 pm
Harry says
We did all this week, entered at 8-15 and faced the same. We also learnt that a Thai couple provide someone to que and she inteeprets, all for 4500 baht.
Approached ten others, all had no mayor available to sign off, due to restructuring.
Also....Bangrak need more info on your affirmation than the UK embassy state in their template. Lots and all show stoppers.
Its a sham. Some want one thing, others different things.
I live in Samui, it was an expensive non marry process. Luckily, i have been livingbwith my wife on samui many years, we have a business etc. We can go there Monday with no problems. At this stage anyhiw all looks sweet.
It needs to be widely told Bang Rak is no longer in favour of farangs. They had their day.
Fobbed off with a very unhelpful smirk.
All.incl MFA in this guide works. After that????????
Dec 21, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Joe says
Dec 21, 2018 at 7:02 pm
Harry says
Dec 23, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Joe says
Dec 24, 2018 at 6:27 pm
Joe says
Dec 25, 2018 at 3:28 pm
Seb says
Dec 26, 2018 at 9:08 am
Gary says
My Australian Embassy Statutory Declaration and certified passport copy needed an online appointment a week or so prior. Paid upon completion, just over $140 AUD. Never mind, it's a once off cost.
Translation was carried out by small business called Express Translation Service and Travel (when looking directly at Language Express school at Ploenchit BTS, it is a few shops down along the right hand soi. They are friendly, facilitative and thorough, passing the two translations on to other staff members to check (and also giving me blanks with their letterhead upon so that we could do translation corrections if needed online, but their translation was good). Cost 500b each translation, in a two hour, late in the day time-frame. I was grateful for their service and would recommend.
You can do the whole process yourself. Go to Thai Consular early in the day to submit (as per Peter's instructions above) 2 x originals and 2 x translations = 4 pages at 200b each. Total 800b. As mentioned same day service only for Thai citizens at present, so you need to come back in 4 days to collect. Which you might do with a smile and kop khun kap to respectfully show your thanks, as they are dealing with us difficult foreigners all day.
An Amphur Office in Issan Province, saw us spend 2 hours and a final signature from an official man who came from upstairs at the last moment to sign. Yes, you'll be asked for a 'donation'. Perhaps 800b and 200b for an extra witness we needed would have been appropriate, but we ended up paying 500b ($20 AUD) more than we should have, which we thought upon reflection was a bit too much as it all disappeared quickly into a drawer. But look, it's quite a small amount in the greater scheme of things and we walked away with two lovely certificates after 2 hours and 3 people's help with a lot of paperwork they had to action for us.
That's about all, easy to do, I needed 7-10 days in Bangkok as it was over a weekend with a public holiday thrown in. Good luck with it all
Dec 17, 2018 at 3:15 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 17, 2018 at 8:21 pm
Gary says
Interesting she did mention what another recent writer here mentioned that my Australian Embassy docs would have to be sent back and checked. Sigh. This is after Thai Foreign Affairs signature verification of both Australian documents. The elaborate Thai Foreign Affairs seals would be almost impossible to fake, and so on that basis alone I think, they could see legitimacy.
But is is in congruence with someone else here who recently talked about counterfeiting problems. Insert another sigh here.
Importantly, what we should all note, is that Thai Foreign Affairs legalization is actually the Thai government's recognition of your Embassy's signatories. Anyway I know little except it's always good to have a forum like this that helps you track legal requisites and complete the process with a smile, flowers and a good coffee. Best wishes
Dec 18, 2018 at 11:05 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 18, 2018 at 6:57 pm
khalid says
thanks for such a nice information,please tell me one thing ,i am from pakistan and my fiance is from mexico we are getting married soon in thailand as the process you told ,
i want to know that is this marriage will be recognized or acceptable in mexico ?
and after complete the marriage process can i apply visa of mexico to go with my wife ,and which kind of visa i have to apply.
thanks
Dec 13, 2018 at 3:32 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 13, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Robert says
Apparently there has been cases of document fraud, so they now want to sent the documents fourth and back to the embassy for confirmation, giving a waiting time of 2-4 weeks!
My gf and I had been told that it was no necessary to make appointments, so we went today, Dec 12 (our anniversary too), and just learned this. Clearly disappointing of course. We called a few other amphurs which told the same. We ended up in Siracha where we convinced them to do it tomorrow, Dec 13, instead. Apparently the mayor can decide whether documents need further checking or not... Makes very little sense and is greatly frustrating when having done all the preparations.
So wherever you're going, call and make an appointment and check the procedures and document requirements well in advance. It's Thailand and may greatly differ from place to place.
Regarding legalization, I had no problem doing express service on Dec. 6. I recommend the new office at Khlong Toei MRT.
Only thing to note: they require you to have 10 days left on your visa! This was not stated anywhere and took me by surprise at the Chaeng Wattana office the day before, when I also went to extend my visa - with 9 days left... ^^
Dec 12, 2018 at 6:38 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 12, 2018 at 8:04 pm
Mark says
I am going to the Brittish embassy tomorrow for the affirmation stamp.. About the new office at MRT Klong toei. Did you see any translation services about?..and can you confirm you can do the whole legalization process there so you don't have to visit Chang Wattana...
Cheers Mark
Dec 13, 2018 at 11:31 am
Joe says
Dec 16, 2018 at 3:16 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 16, 2018 at 8:27 pm
Seb says
Dec 17, 2018 at 9:16 am
Joe says
Dec 17, 2018 at 9:11 pm
Harry says
Dec 16, 2018 at 10:47 pm
John says
Dec 11, 2018 at 9:41 am
TheThailandLife says
Dec 18, 2018 at 7:56 pm
Seb says
Dec 18, 2018 at 7:59 pm
Gary says
Dec 21, 2018 at 8:29 am
Snow says
Recommend to anyone getting translations to do it at the Consular as if there’s any mistakes you can get them changed then and there and not have to go back to where you got it translated in a Bangkok. In the consular, on the second floor they charge 500baht per affirmation & 400baht per passport.
Whilst waiting for your translations, go to the far right and get TWO copies of the page with your visa stamp in it & 2 copies of your passport. Once translations are done - take everything to 3rd floor and hand in to desk. If you don’t have everything done before they’ll send you off to do it without telling you you need 2 copies of the stamp and you’ll be running back & forth. We’ve been told to return in 2 working days.
They’re pretty unhelpful in there - good luck!
Dec 10, 2018 at 2:57 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 10, 2018 at 4:00 pm
Gary says
Hope this helps, regards
Dec 10, 2018 at 4:54 pm
TheThailandLife says
Dec 10, 2018 at 6:04 pm
Gary says
Dec 17, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Harry says
The affirmation template, you complete before you go and MUST have a copy on your email in case they want to change something. I did that, BUT they have only two pc available at consular, you may have to Q. Also, and very important, if you have two factor authentication on your mobile, DISABLE it before you go so you can access your email in the consular section. Your not allowed to carry your mobile.
Also, and very important, you need a certified copy of your passport picture page as shown above. Total cost, affirmation and passport, 3300baht.
At MFA you advertised, I used the left hand translation service, for 900baht they will do the translations. You then can have them present to MFA for the stamp, an extra 700baht. I chose this, after all you have to pay 400baht at MFA. There was NO EXPRESS AVAILABE. I was told to come back in two working days, to the translation girl. It makes sense really, I don’t have to Q at MFA and they can fix translations in your absence if they get it wrong. They did ask for a translation of my name, I had that on my work permit. Total cost 1700baht.
Total for a Brit is 5000 baht using this service above. I heard a few horror stories outside the embassy, some people using agents at great expense and some going it solo but having huge translation costs and taxi fares running in thousands too. I played it safe, if the girl at the translation can fix it, let her fix it. They know the personalities.
Next step the registration next week sometime in Bangkok. At my leisure.
Great guide.
Dec 15, 2018 at 9:31 am
James Major says
Can Cambodia citizens marry in Thailand? And do they need to get affirmation to marry from Cambodia. Or the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok.
Thanks for your help :)
Dec 10, 2018 at 12:09 am
Gary says
Dec 07, 2018 at 11:48 am