When you are planning to get married in Thailand, it is important that you know about the legal procedures involved. This will help you avoid any unwanted complications and also ensure that your marriage is legally binding.
Getting married in Thailand is fairly straightforward and requires the correct paperwork. You will need to visit the embassy of your own country and fill out the necessary forms. This can take a few days in Bangkok, although some embassies have consulates in other Thai cities.
Once you have all the required paperwork completed, you will need to go to your local district office (amphoe or khet in Thai) and register your marriage. This is a relatively simple process and a wedding planner can arrange this for you.
If you are a foreigner marrying a Thai national, the first step is to get an affidavit of freedom to marry from your own country’s embassy or consulate. You will need to have this translated into Thai and then legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which can be done in person or by post.
It is also important to be aware that you will need to be over the age of 17 or in marriageable age according to the laws of your home country. Alternatively, the court may allow you to marry before reaching this age if it is in your best interests.
You will also need to be able to prove that you have lived in Thailand for at least three days prior to registering the marriage. You will need to bring your passport with you and your marriage certificate from your home country to the local district office.
Having all the required documentation is a vital part of the process, as even one error can result in your application being rejected. It is therefore essential that you check all the documents and details thoroughly before submitting them.
Once the correct paperwork has been submitted, the marriage registration is then processed and the couple will be issued with their official marriage certificates. These are then legally valid in Thailand and in most countries outside of the country.
Your marriage certificates will also be certified and registered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand if you wish to use them in other countries. This can take up to two days so it is advisable to allow extra time for this process as well as ensuring that your passports are current and have at least 6 months remaining.
You should keep both your certificates and a copy of the registry page safe as you never know when it might be lost or stolen. Having two copies of the certificates is also recommended as the Thai government will not replace them at any cost if you lose them.
Prenuptial agreements are a must for any couples whose assets are likely to be significant. They can be an excellent way to protect the future financial relationship of the couple and prevent disputes in the event of divorce or death.
