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Marrying a Thai national abroad
03/10/2022
While many foreigners choose to marry their Thai partner in Thailand, others prefer to get married in either their home country or another location of their choice.
Marrying a Thai national abroad is a perfectly valid way to get married, but to ensure this is legally recognised it is necessary to follow the rules and regulations relevant to the country you are marrying in. Furthermore, the process for obtaining a Marriage visa in Thailand is different to when couples get married inside Thailand.
Key points
- Marriages between a Thai national and a foreigner who get married outside of Thailand are recognised by the Thai government.
- If the foreign spouse requires a Thai marriage visa, they must register the marriage in Thailand.
- Please note, that if the Thai national has previously been divorced they must wait until 1 year has passed since their divorce was granted before they can get married.
How do I get married overseas?
To get married to a Thai national overseas, it is important to note that different countries require different paperwork for registering a marriage. However, typically the following paperwork is required.
Required documents:
- Affirmation of Freedom to Marry – Much like a foreigner getting married in Thailand, the Thai Embassy would need to issue an Affirmation of Freedom of Marriage to the Thai partner. This affirmation would need to be in English. Please note that for this document to be legally recognised at your wedding location, it may need to be translated into the native language of the country you choose to get married and certified by the translator.
- Please note, that if the Thai national has previously been divorced, there is a 1 year delay/carence to adhere to. This means that the divorced party must wait until 1 year has passed since the divorce was granted before getting married.
- Copies of divorce or death certificates – This only applies if your partner has been married before, copies of their former spouse’s divorce or death certificate will be required.
- Application Form – the correct application form will need to be completed. Each country will have their own forms.
Authenticate the marriage certificate at the Thai Embassy in the country you were married in
Once the relevant documentation and proof of identity for you and your partner has been accepted and a marriage certificate issued, you should visit the Thai embassy in the country where you got married and have the marriage certificate authenticated and/or certified.
After these documents have been authenticated, the Thai government will then accept the marriage certificate as being valid proof of marriage. Once this has been done, there is no further requirement for the foreigner to register the marriage again in Thailand, unless you plan to apply for a Thai Marriage Visa.
Obtain a ‘Kor Por 22’ for your Thai spouse
Upon returning to Thailand, your Thai spouse will need to visit their district office in the town in which they are legally registered. This is to update their status from being single to being married.
After providing proof of marriage, the office will issue a ‘Kor Por 22’. This document will then act as proof of the Thai national’s legal marriage registration.
Please note, that if you do not intend to apply for a Thai marriage visa then you do not need to do this, but if you do intend to apply for this visa, the ‘Kor Por 22’ is a mandatory requirement.
Is a foreign marriage certificate recognised in Thailand?
The marriage will need to be officially registered in Thailand in order for the foreign partner to be able to apply for a Thai Marriage Visa. If no marriage visa is required, then no further action will need to be taken.
The process is similar to when couples get married in Thailand and will involve getting all required documents translated into Thai.
Obtaining a marriage visa after getting married outside of Thailand
A foreigner who has married a Thai national in a country other than Thailand, and who wishes to apply for a marriage visa will need to take the following steps:
- Visit their country’s Embassy in Bangkok with the original marriage certificate. This will be verified by Embassy staff as real and valid and will then be officially stamped.
- Have the marriage certificate translated into Thai.
- The translated version of the marriage certificate should then be presented to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. They will then verify its legality and stamp it.
- Take the translated marriage certificate to your local amphur office in the area you live. The amphur will then register the marriage in the Thai system. Such registration will allow cross-referencing and can be used when applying for the Thai marriage visa.
- Take the required documentation and proof of income as per required for a marriage visa to the immigration office and submit your application.
How can Belaws help?
For more information about how our experts can help you get married in Thailand, why not talk to one of our experts now?
Please note that this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Our consultations last for a period of up to 1 hour and are conducted by expert Lawyers who are fluent in English, French and Thai.
Consultations can be hosted via WhatsApp or Video Conferencing software for your convenience. A consultation with one of our legal experts is undoubtedly the best way to get all the information you need and answer any questions you may have about your new business or project.
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Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners get married in Thailand?
Yes, it is possible for foreigners to get married in Thailand.
How many wife can you have in Thailand?
You can only have one legal spouse in Thailand.
Is it easy to get married in Thailand?
Registering a marriage in Thailand is a relatively straightforward procedure and can be done at any Amphur (district office) in the country.
Can I get married in Thailand with tourist visa?
Yes, it is possible to get married in Thailand using a tourist visa. If your spouse is a Thai national, you can then apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa based on marriage which will allow you to stay in Thailand for a period of 1 year (can be renewed yearly).
How long can I stay in Thailand if I marry a Thai?
Those who are married to a Thai national can apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa based on marriage. These visas can be extended for periods of 1 year (subject to application requirements being met). There is no limit to the number of times this visa can be extended.
What happens if you marry a Thai citizen?
Spouses of Thai citizens are eligible to apply for a yearly extension of stay based on marriage (commonly labeled a visa). This extension of stay will allows the holder to stay in Thailand for a period of a year at a time and can be renewed an unlimited amount of times.
How much does it cost to get married in Thailand?
The official government fee for registering a marriage in Thailand is 400 THB. However, it is also important to consider things such as the translation are certification of the required documents etc.
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