Legal marriage in Thailand

See also an article from a Samui Newspaper 'Thai ing the Knot'

To do all of the paperwork, travel to your destination, make final arrangements for the wedding, and have a holiday we would suggest 2 -3 weeks. The paperwork in Bangkok will take 3 - 4 working days and your wedding planner will want to spend some time with you before the wedding. - A religious ceremony on its own is not sufficient-
This information does not apply for British people wishing to marry a Thai national. Please ask the Embassy for any other information.

1. Download an 'affirmation freedom to marry' form from the website in the U.K. click here
    Complete the affirmation of freedom to marry in advance

2. Go to the British Embassy in Bangkok to confirm your freedom to marry.
   - Take with you to the Embassy your affirmation of freedom to marry, passports as proof of identity, and evidence that any previous marriages have been terminated (death or divorce certificates, as appropriate). ORIGINALS ARE REQUIRED; copies are not accepted.

    - This service is on a first come first served basis, so go early.
    - There is a charge for the declaration

    - Please check opening times in advance as they seem to change times and days without notice even to their consulate!

3. Have the affirmation translated into Thai
- To be legal all documents have to be translated in to Thai. This is not done at the Embassy, there are many people in the vicinity offering this service.

4. Take the papers to the Department of Consular Affairs
   - The Thai Registrar will require authentication of the British Consular official's signature and certification of the Thai translation.
Take the affidavit and translation to:
Legalization Division
Department of Consular Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
123 Chaeng Wattana Road, Laksi District, Bangkok 11120
Tel. 575 1056-59, 981 7171 (08.30-11.30 and 13.00-15.30)

It takes up to two full working days for the Ministry to process applications.

5. Take the documents to the Registrar
   - He will check your paperwork and issue a Thai marriage certificate.
   - The marriage will only be recognised under UK law if it is valid under Thai law. For it to be valid in Thai law, the marriage must be registered with the Registrar at an Amphur Office (District Office).
   - You can do this before or after the marriage.
N.B.
- The documentation to be produced is at the discretion of each individual Registrar. Most Registrars will be satisfied with an affirmation of freedom to marry.

- The Thai marriage will be in Thai only. You may wish to commission a "sworn translation" of the marriage certificate from a translation bureau, so that you may use the document for legal purposes in the U.K.

- Consular Section can arrange for your marriage to be recorded in the U.K.; ask them for further details if you wish to do so. It is not a legal obligation.

- If this sounds like too much to do, you can register your marriage at a registrars office near you in England beforehand and then have a wedding ceremony on the beach.