Thailand Marriage: How To Get Married in Thailand.

If you are planning to get married in Thailand, you need to be familiar with several processes and the legalities that it entails.

REQUIREMENTS UNDER THAI FAMILY LAW

Both people should not be less than 17 years of age. However a Court may, if there are appropriate reasons, allow them to marry before reaching that age.
Both should be adjudged sane and competent.
Neither should be blood relations either in the direct descendant line, or brother or sister (full or half blood i.e. should not be with prohibited degrees of relationship).
Neither should have the same adoptive parents.
Neither should have a spouse at the time of marriage. If a woman whose husband has died or whose marriage has become terminated, the marriage can only take place after 310 days from such death or termination of marriage. It may be before such period if:

A child has been born during such period;
The divorced couple remarry;
There is a certificate issued by a qualified doctor who is a lawful physical practitioner in medicine showing that the woman is not pregnant;
There is an order of the Court allowing the woman to marry

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

For Thai Nationals:

Identification Cards of both parties
The House Registration Certificates of both parties
If either of the people filing has a previously registered marriage proof of divorce must be shown; in the event of spousal death (the applicant is a widow or widower) proof must accompany application.
Accompaniment by witnesses (If any)

For Foreigners:

A copy of their passport along with arrival card
Affidavit regarding the marital status of the person from the respective embassy
Translated copy of affidavits to Thai certified by an approved Foreign Ministry Translator

MARRIAGE REGISTERED

A marriage can take place on a declaration made by both the parties intending to marry by giving consent to take each other as husband and wife publicly before the registrar in order to have it recorded by the Registrar. Giving consent to the marriage may be made by:

Affixing the signature of the person giving consent in the Register at the time of registration of the marriage;
A consent document stating the names of the parties to the marriage and signed by the person giving consent;
Verbal declaration before at least two witnesses in case of necessity. The consent having been given cannot be revoked

LOCATION FOR REGISTRATION

An application for registration for marriage can be filed at any District Office or Minor District Office nationwide regardless of the birthplace of the couple. If the marriage registration is filed at the District Office located in female's birthplace (where the name is registered on the House Registration Certificate), the title used with the forename and the last name of the female will be changed by the District Officer. The female is required to file for a new Identification Card within 60 days. If the marriage is registered elsewhere, the female is required to contact the local District Office to change her name and last name, as well as filing for a new Identification Card. If both parties are unable to file for marriage at any District Office or Minor District Office, the couple can submit a request to the Registrar to register their marriage at any location under the supervision of that District Office. The parties filing for marriage are required to provide transportation for the Registrar. A service fee of 400 Baht is required by the ministry .

MARRIAGE PROCEDURES FOR FOREIGNERS

Foreigners who wish to marry must 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.

Take the completed declaration to a reputable translation office to have the contents of the declaration translated into Thai.
The documents together with translation and copies of passports have to be taken to the Legalisation Division of the Consular Affairs Department, where the Consular Official's signature will be authenticated. This normally takes 2 days. The documents and translation are then ready for submission to the District Registrar who will register the marriage and issue the marriage certificate in Thai in accordance with and following the procedure led down in Thai Law.

WHY SHOULD YOU FIND A LAWYER TO ASSIST YOU IN FAMILY LAW IN THAILAND?

The family law in Thailand is fairly straightforward. Foreigners must first obtain clearance from their respective embassies.

M & S Law Office 20006 can help co-ordinate the procurement of official documents from the embassy and have them translated and legalized quickly with minimum problems. Familiarity with the formalities of a Thai marriage, access to qualified translators, and an understanding of the legalization process reduce the likelihood of delays or complications.

Our law firm provides full legal services throughout Thailand including the key business cities such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiangmai and Phuket.

Let us help you by calling us at (+66)2 693-2036 or send email via [email protected] or send us enquiry.

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