Marriage registration is the process of registering your marriage in Thailand. This requires an affirmation and MFA certification from a Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs office.
Affidavits will also be required depending on your nationality. Getting married in Thailand is relatively quick once all the documentation has been obtained.
Getting married in Thailand has become increasingly popular for foreigners. However, many couples don’t realise that their marriage is not legally valid until it is registered at the local district office (known as an “Amphur” or a “Khet”). The process is fairly simple. Couples must submit a verification of identity and certified copies of their home country’s passport to the registrar.
In addition to these requirements, the couple must publicly declare that they are willing to take each other as husband and wife. Then, the registrar will register the marriage and issue a Marriage Certificate. This certificate is then legally recognised all over the world. Upon registration, the couple will receive a copy of their marriage registry which is called Kor Ror 2. You can also get your marriage certificate translated into English and authenticated at your country’s embassy for an additional fee.
It is important for couples to adhere to prescribed timelines and meet all required criteria. This ensures that the registration process is smooth and efficient, and avoids unnecessary delays and rejections. The legal significance of a marriage certificate cannot be overstated. It is the official acknowledgment of a lawful union under Thai law, and carries weight in a number of areas – from visa applications to inheritance claims. For this reason, it is vital for couples to seek expert guidance from a trusted lawyer.
When couples in Thailand get divorced, they should get a divorce certificate. It usually has the marriage details on it like when and where they got married as well as the names of both spouses and the date that they filed for the divorce. It also shows that the couple has agreed to sever their marriage and it is usually signed by both parties. Sometimes it might mention things like who holds the parental power or custody of children and access and maintenance. It also has the stamp of the amphur office.
Couples who have already registered their marriage in Thailand need not go to the embassy to register a divorce. They can do it in any district office as long as they have the documents they need and they are both present. The procedure is similar to getting a marriage certificate, except that both spouses must declare their intent for divorce. They will also have to state the reason for their separation.
It is a good idea for couples to consider creating a prenuptial agreement before they marry as this can help them decide how they will divide their assets should they divorce. They should also talk to a family lawyer so they can get the best advice for their situation. This will prevent any misunderstandings or confusion.
A marriage in Thailand is not effected until it is officially registered in the government's Marriage Registry and issued as a marriage certificate. Hence, foreigners marrying a Thai national are required to submit an affirmation letter as well as have their documents certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). In addition, a prenuptial agreement may also be required depending on the spouse's assets and regulations in their own country.
The affidavit should be dated and signed by the consular official at your embassy, after which it needs to be translated into Thai language and authenticated at the MFA. The translation and authentication process normally takes two days. After that you can take the verified and authenticated documents to your local district office, called an amphur in Thailand to register your marriage.
While it is still not an easy process to get married in Thailand, the passing of the Equal Marriage Bill means more couples will be able to make their union legal. The MFA is urging people to seek help and guidance from their embassies if they need assistance in obtaining the necessary documents for marriage registration. They can also help with any other documents that may need to be legally authenticated, such as birth certificates. Documents such as these need to be notarized and authenticated before they can be used for international travel.
A marriage in Thailand is not considered legally valid until it is registered. This is a requirement of the Civil and Commercial Code (pramwlkdhngaephngaelaphaanichy). Therefore, couples wanting to marry in Thailand must obtain a clearance from their embassies first. Embassies will have different procedures for providing this and it’s best to ask about it before booking your appointment. This will then allow you to get an affidavit that is certified by your country’s government, translated into Thai and legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. Getting this done is often very easy for most countries but there are some exceptions where a more complicated process is required.
Once you have all of these documents it is time to go to your local district office called an or khet where you will be required to declare that you wish to take each other as husband and wife. The Registrar will then issue a Marriage Registration Certificate for you.
Tan says he and Oui are “super stoked” that Thailand has finally taken steps to recognize same-sex marriage, as it will be a big step towards equality for the community in their home country of Singapore, where the law remains unchanged. He hopes that more countries will follow suit in the future. “The world is changing so fast,” he says. “It’s only a matter of time before other countries in Southeast Asia catch up.”