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Do Americans need a 'free to marry' document to get married in Thailand?

Visa rulesMarriage in ThailandAmerican EmbassyFree to marry documentAffidavit of legally free to marryLegal requirements for marriage
Sep 13, 2023
a year ago
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm being given conflicting information regarding needing a "free to marry" document from my country. I'd been told I needed it, did some reading and was told I did not need it, lady just sent me a video where an American (I'm American) described this huge process to get a free to marry document from your county clerk, then looked at my county clerk and they say no such thing exists.

Any American do this recently?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
There is confusion among Americans about whether a 'free to marry' document is necessary for marriage in Thailand. It has been clarified that this document must be obtained from the American Embassy in Bangkok. The process includes translating this document, and further steps may be required by the local Amphur office where the marriage will take place. While some individuals reported not needing this document, others stressed its importance, particularly for those previously married. The varying experiences indicate the necessity to consult the embassy and follow official guidance.
Zachariah ********
Check your messages. I can help you out 👍
a year ago
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Graham *******
just live in sin! I am a "miserable sinner" with the widest smile you can imagine!
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham ******
 I don't mind sin, I just don't want to worry about getting deported.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
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Jo **********
when my friend married in Thailand he did not need it
a year ago
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Will ************
Has to be obtained at your Embassy in Thailand. If you been previously married you will need the divorce papers. If your former spouse is deceased then you will need the death certificate.
a year ago
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Marty *********
Just follow what is on the embassy website. I did not need anything from the US. I had my divorce papers but no one asked to look at them.
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Jack ***************
 here you go there's nothing conflicting in the US Embassy. You'll need to attend your embassy in Bangkok.

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a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
 the last time I was confident I had my path forward this was it. But I am in US working this month and got sent a "super important video's from Lady that was an old American guy and his Thai wife insisting you need to do this whole process here. I need to do the right thing, but I also need to navigate the family perception side which often defies rational thought.
a year ago
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Phil ******
@Jack ***************
 what they told you is wrong UNLESS YOU HAVE YOUR PARTNER IN THE USA. You need for follow the process in Thailand. Get affirmation at US EMBASSY then get ut translated then take the translated document to MFA then take the document to the Amphot in the province to be married. Its really simple. US Embassy and MFA are in Bangkok.
a year ago
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Phil ******
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Av **********
its never a random Tuesday as u know u need an appointment which these days takes weeks. So I live in the south so I have to book appt, fly to Bangkok, get a hotel, go get the doc from embassy. Have it translated then taken to the ministry of foreign affairs!, and don't forget to get your passport certified at the same time at embassy and also legally translated. So about 50 each paper. Then you make an appointment at the amphur office ur going to marry in. Sometimes the appointment to get married could take upwards of 3 months. Judt a FYI amphur offices can request more than this if they don't like u :) anyway you got to do it bangkok, so there is that have a great day. Go get married in Gibraltar takes 24 hours there is a reason why John and yoko Lennon got married there.... it's easy. Everything is on the embassy website. You will not find this document in the usa, it's only for embassies to issue :) this is my 2nd time doing this, I know exactly what I'm talking about lol don't forget both parties need these papers, not just one. My fiance is portuguese and they are like 9 months away from an appointment for him to get this paper. So we are flying to gibraltor
a year ago
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Frank **********
@Av *********
 look at his previous posts and you will see why. The guy is clueless.
a year ago
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Av **********
@Jack ***************
 u ask for directions I tell you and don't even get a thanks. Other people commented on ur post and everyone u seemed to just jump on and be irate with. I think u are just bored and want something to do. I feel sorry for the lucky lady who is marrying u....u must be a well mannered fun time
a year ago
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Av **********
@Jack ***************
 yeah but what I don't get is, why waste so much time making weird posts when u can go direct to the embassy website and tells u everything. This whole thread is a waste of space. Waltz over to Google for such simple issues bro
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Av *********
 yeah I meant "random Tuesday" proverbially- like I can't just waltz over and do it there is a whole operational challenge to be dealt with.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
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John ******
Ok course you need it. Otherwise how will you prove you are single ? Are you sure you went to the right office ?
a year ago
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Av **********
@Jack ***************
 yes there is u get it from the embassy not usa. U select notary services when selecting the appointment.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *****
 there is NO SUCH THING as a "free to marry document", there is a "document of single status" but once people are throwing around inaccurate vocabulary and they pile on improbable process it's hard to keep listening
a year ago
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John ******
@Jack ***************
 its called different names in different countries bud. Certificate of Khartoum for example.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *****
 he was an American so....
a year ago
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Jack ****************
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Graham ******
You get it from the American Embassy in Bangkok. The steps are described here -
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a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 like I said Graham, conflicting information and as nice as that looks it is also not an official channel- hence me trying to find someone who recently actually did it instead of being subject to the same questionable data I am or having done it 10 years ago.
a year ago
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Frank **********
@Jack ***************
 I got married back in January you definitely need it for the local Amphur office. Make an appointment at the American Embassy in Bangkok. Cost you 50 bucks.
a year ago
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Dimitri ********
@Jack ***************
 I know nothing about documents from the US. But if you marry in Thailand you will have to prove that you are not married somewhere else. This is hard, because there are many countries in the world where you can get married. But they accept something from your home country saying that you are not married in that country.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dimitri *******
 Roger. It's just a question of if I can get a thing from the embassy there (I've heard multiple times) or I need something from a county in my country that has been notarised vetted approved and stamped by multiple government agencies and the Thai embassy in Washington (which I've also heard more than once). Or somewhere in betwixt.
a year ago
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Graham ******
@Jack ***************
 It's an Affirmation to Marry from your Embassy
a year ago
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Graham ******
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