Can I marry my Thai girlfriend on a 30-day visa exemption in Thailand?

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.

Also make sure the houseowner at your girlfriend remember to make a TM30 registration within 24 hours of arrival.

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.

@Andy *********

a Thai marriage certificate no longer needs to be legalised for the UK

@Graham *****

as an observer, I also thank you. I’m American with different circumstances. Your kindness is well noted.

@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 3pm

The earliest marriage date was on the following Monday at Bangkok noi amphur.