Answered3 years ago
Can I marry my Thai girlfriend on a 30-day visa exemption in Thailand?
I'm going to thailand on 30th November leaving thailand on 10 January on a 30day visa exemption and I'm going to marry my thai girlfriend can I marry her whilst on the 30 days or do I have to extend my stay with a visa I'm not staying at a hotel or apartment I will be staying at her house in korat I know I've got to go to the British embassy in bangkok to prove that I can and legally am able to marry her
Answer summary
You can marry your Thai girlfriend while on a 30-day visa exemption, as there are no visa requirements specifically for getting married in Thailand. However, it's advisable to plan ahead for the necessary documentation and embassy appointments. It may be beneficial to apply for a 60-day tourist visa if you plan to stay beyond 30 days, which could make your immigration documentation look better. Ensure all legal paperwork is in order, including translations and legalization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Vitico ********
After you get your letters from your embassy (1.affadavit saying you are eligible to get married 2. Certified passport copies) and have them translated this is an important step no one ever mentions. You have to get them legalized by the thai ministry of foreign affairs. What no one mentions is you need an appointment for this and you may have to wait 3 weeks to a month in advance. So make an appointment as soon as you can. I would suggest get the translations done the same day after you get your embassy papers and schedule the the legalization for a day or two after. This is the website
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Vitico ********
The legalization takes 2 or 3 days and when you go back they will always tell you there was some error in the translation you have to redo. So that will take you another day to fix. They told me I have to redo the translation over some punctuation mark and some random word. Your translator should do the revisions for free but you would have to pay the delivery to send you the new papers. I paid 800 for the translations and like 600 for the legalization stamps. The actual marriage registration was free but I paid them like 150 for plastic folders to put the papers in. Make sure if you need an appointment or not at the government office where you plan to register the marriage. In bangkok the one near me had a 3 month waiting list but out in the village where we went we just called a few days in advance and it was fine. An agent might charge you 20-30,000 for this. As long as you know to plan in advance you can do it yourself for way cheaper.
Terary **********
I did my marriage in 1.5 days (do some paperwork in one office, file some paperwork in a different office). I hired someone to navigate the system for me. If the visa was a slightly different matter. The US embassy requires an appointment and at the time the soonest appointments were two weeks out.
Henrik *****
Get a 60 days touristvisa, when you know you want to stay more than 30 days.
60 day tourist visa is cheaper,
no need for onward ticket,
Not using holiday time to find, go-to, and waiting at the Immigration office.
And it look better on your immigration history.
60 day tourist visa is cheaper,
no need for onward ticket,
Not using holiday time to find, go-to, and waiting at the Immigration office.
And it look better on your immigration history.
Henrik *****
Also make sure the houseowner at your girlfriend remember to make a TM30 registration within 24 hours of arrival.
Denzil *********
OP@Henrik ****
will do that thanks
Michael ********
Longest thing will be getting the affirmation to marriage thing, but you can make an appointment online prior
Denzil *********
OPI've got time I'm going 30 November
Denzil *********
OP@Michael *******
think I need to book wedd they wand date and placeMichael ********
@Denzil ********
dont need date and placeDenzil *********
OP@Michael *******
thanksAndy **********
@Denzil ********
Didn't need date or place, just the city. My certificate just said Bangkok Metropolis and August.Denzil *********
OP@Andy *********
thanks
John *******
But your gonna have to extend it anyway if you get there nov 30th til jan 10
Denzil *********
OP@John ******
will do thanks mateAndy **********
Watch the attestation diary dates at the embassy. Only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. When you pay the online fee, you then book a time and date for the swearing. But the embassy won't actually confirm anything until 2 weeks before. The MFA need 3 working days, they close at 3pm and weekends. I used an agent, who charged
*****
for the service. BUT only after paying him did he reveal another fee to legalise the thai marriage certificate for the UK. 4000 plus 2000 post.Graham ******
okthen, uk Govt website -
After you get married
Your marriage will be recognised in the UK if both of the following apply:
you followed the correct process in the country where you got married
it would be allowed under UK law
You may want to consider translating your Thai marriage certificate into English and getting it legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand or the Royal Thai Embassy in London, especially if you wish to use it outside of Thailand.
There is no requirement or facility to register your marriage in the UK. You will need to keep a copy of your local Thai marriage certificate as evidence of your marriage.
After you get married
Your marriage will be recognised in the UK if both of the following apply:
you followed the correct process in the country where you got married
it would be allowed under UK law
You may want to consider translating your Thai marriage certificate into English and getting it legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand or the Royal Thai Embassy in London, especially if you wish to use it outside of Thailand.
There is no requirement or facility to register your marriage in the UK. You will need to keep a copy of your local Thai marriage certificate as evidence of your marriage.
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Denzil *********
OP@Graham *****
thank youAndy **********
@Graham *****
Hair splitting. The certificate needs properly translating and notarizing. Its all in Thai. No civil servant in the UK is going to understand it. You will need a translated copy for the courts, passport office, visa application, adoption proceedings, banks, loans.Graham ******
@Andy *********
But it's still legal if not translated, that's the lawGraham ******
@Andy *********
a Thai marriage certificate no longer needs to be legalised for the UKDenzil *********
OPBed time got to drive a bus in the morning thanks everyone
Denzil *********
OPWill get my girlfriend to book the wedding when I do the affirmation I will need the date and place we will marry
Andy **********
@Denzil ********
You just need the city, and I think within 30 days of the MFA stampAndy **********
@Graham *****
Got a link for that?Andy **********
@Graham *****
Google fail. That actually says "a Thai marriage certificate will be written in the Thai language which will not be accepted by the British Consular Section. In order for it to be accepted, you will need to obtain a “sworn translation” of the certificate. Once this has been obtained, it can then be present to the Consular Section who will then arrange for your marriage to be officially recorded in the UK.". So a Thai marriage certificate, per se, is not automatically recognised in the UK. What I thought all along. You need a notarised translated version, that then needs to be signed off at the Embassy.Graham ******
@Andy *********
Yes, from Google *********************************************************************
Denzil *********
OP@Graham *****
thanks GrahamDenzil *********
OP@Andy *********
I will do it my self thanks for the info very helpfulGraham ******
All of the steps are here, it can be done in a few days outside Bangkok
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Edna *******
@Graham *****
as an observer, I also thank you. I’m American with different circumstances. Your kindness is well noted.Andy **********
@Graham *****
3 working days by the MFA not 48 hours. Had my attestation at 9am on a Tuesday. Paperwork in the hands of the agent at 9.30, he got it translated and notarized, delivered to the MFA by 3pmThe earliest marriage date was on the following Monday at Bangkok noi amphur.
Denzil *********
OP@Graham *****
thank you Graham
Brandon ************
There's no visa requirements for getting married in Thailand.
Denzil *********
OP@Brandon ***********
thank you ThurkettleActivity
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