Do I need to translate my marriage certificate for a non-O trailing spouse visa in Thailand?

Jul 6, 2021
3 years ago
Rusty ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys!

First off I hope that everyone's paperwork has been smooth during these strange times.

I will be applying for a non-o trailing spouse visa for my wife. Does anyone know if the govt. here requires that the marriage document is translated in-country by a recognized translation service, or would an official translation to English from the home country suffice?

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about the requirements for translating their marriage certificate when applying for a non-O trailing spouse visa for their wife in Thailand. They seek clarification on whether an official translation from their home country is acceptable or if it must be translated by a recognized service within Thailand. The discussion includes advice on official certification and legalization processes related to the marriage certificate as well as relevant visa application procedures.
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Tod *********
good luck to the OP, I think they got all the info they can.
Dave **********
If you have a marriage certificate then get it certified as true (affidavitit) at the local Peru embassy and get an official translation to Thai. Then take that to the MFA in Chengwattana to get legalized for use in Thailand.
Rusty ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dave *********
The Peruvian embassy won't legalize a marriage certificate that is older than 3 months ๐Ÿ˜ช that's the major hiccup.

English is also accepted afaik, so I wasn't sure if the translation needed to be by a recognized translator here in Thailand.
Dave **********
@Matt *******
> It is NOT embassy legalization ...

It is YOU swearing an affadavit under oath that the document is true under penalty of perjury.

.

I swear under oath that the marriage certificate is a true and authentic document and that we are legally married. This is sworn in front of a consular officer.

***************************************************************************


.

Works the same as a legalized document (apostille) for the MFA since Thailand is NOT a signatory to the apostille treaty.
Rusty ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you, we'll check this out. It would save a mountain of headache.
Tod *********
@Matt *******
I see a trip to the immigration office with you, your wife, your passports and possibly someone from your employer along with the marriage certificates so you can find out if/how it can be done.

They are the only people who are gonna give you accurate information. Make SURE you're talking to the people who issue those in country Non-Immigrant visas at what ever office you use. (As I said in Bangkok you want Counter C-1 at Chaengwattana)
Rusty ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
I'm going to.see if we can piggyback on the visa person's weekly trip.
Tod *********
So you are here legally working on a Non-B visa and you want to have your wife apply for a 90 day non-O visa based on being a trailing spouse and then get a matching extension like yours right?
Rusty ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Yes that's right. At the end of this month I will switch to a one year extension based on employment, so we would likely apply after that process.

Under the current covid program she is legal until the end of Sep.
Tod *********
Umm,
@Matt *******
unless I'm mistaken no one has a covid stamp good until the end of Sept yet.

That's because the current covid extension program runs out on July 29th <- so to get a 60 day extension taking you thru to Sept you'd need to apply for another covid extension before this program runs out at the end of July..

Be that as it may,

once you figure out how to get the marriage certificate legalized and certified here you shouldn't have a problem with her applying for first a 90 day non-O visa. In Bangkok she'd do that at Counter C-1 for 2000bath and she'd need at least 15 days left on her current stamp to apply (because the application goes under consideration for 14 days before you go back to get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in
Rusty ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Ahh, I misspoke. She's legal until the end of August with the possibility of extending early until the end of September, which has not been an issue at out local office.

Thanks for the details, it looks like we need to head to immigration to get the full lowdown about what exactly we need to acquire.
Tod *********
you need to head on over to the immigration office with your wife her passport, your passport and the marriage certificate to ask them the procedure

What country were you married in and is it is the same country your passports are from?
Rusty ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thanks, we were married in Peru. Her passport is from there, I'm American. It's actually been an ordeal due to the current politics over there.

We have an unlegalized original copy with us but it's older than 3 months.

We've gotten another official copy withdrawn in Peru but the legalization is taking time. We figured we could just solicit a translation before it gets sent here.

We'll take a trip to immigration this week.
Tod *********
@Matt *******
that's the only way you're going to know what's what. I deleted the off topic replies I'd made.
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