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Do New Zealanders need a Freedom to Marry certificate to marry a Thai national in Thailand?
Marriage in ThailandFreedom to Marry CertificateNew Zealand EmbassyVisa and ImmigrationMarriage ProcessThai Marriage RegistrationEXPAT advice
Mar 16, 2026
2 months ago
Raymond ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am a New Zealander l wish to marry a Thailand National. Do l have to have Freedom to Marry paper work if so where does it have to be interpreted. Certified here in New New Zealand or in Thailand by a,proper person and if in Thailand can anybody recommend a person and cost.
Raymond Kelman
Raymond Kelman
TLDR : Answer Summary
As a New Zealander wishing to marry a Thai national, you need to obtain a Freedom to Marry certificate, which must be acquired from your embassy (New Zealand) in Thailand or in New Zealand. The certificate may need to be translated into Thai and legalized at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs if the marriage takes place in Thailand. Experiences shared by others suggest that while it's often recommended to have the Freedom to Marry certificate, some individuals have married in Thailand without it, relying instead on other documentation like divorce certificates. It’s advisable to seek help from trusted translation services or agents to navigate the marriage registration process smoothly.
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Stephen *********
I had to go to the UK Embassy AIA building Bangkok then take the details to my agent for the Amphur so probly you will have to go to your Embassy in BKK .
Geo ************
There are several places Thais don’t need visa. Get married there and do the details later no need to be bogged down
Rob ***********
We married in New Zealand and did not need anything
Mark *******
Embassy pal if it’s in Thailand or new Zealand
Graeme *******
I married a Thai woman in NZ, once divorced .
Graeme *******
Where are you here or in NZ
Raymond ********
ORIGINAL POSTERGraeme Drake New Zealand
Graeme *******
Raymond Kelman Also found most paperwork from.NZ a bloody waste of time, so if coming here and intending to marry here, there are people who take care if everything for a price.
Graeme *******
I guess if you are getting married in Thailand you may need such paperwork.
Graeme *******
Raymond Kelman well I had no paper like that, was officially divorced and got married at Internal Affairs in AKL as I was working up there at the time.
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Graeme *******
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Raymond ********
ORIGINAL POSTERGraeme Drake New Zealand
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Raymond ********
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Mark *******
From the U S i brought my freedom to marry certificate to Thailand and my notarized divorce certificate. Never used or was asked about freedom to marry stuff only had to show my divorce certificate. That’s my experience.
Leonard ***********************
You have to go to your embassy in Thailand if there is one or the embassy in your country and get a freedom to marry paper and then you have to go to Bangkok where there may be a New Zealand embassy there's a woman there who does the translations into Thai in Bangkok, you have to go to the Thai Ampor to register your marriage, it is a little bit of a lengthy process but you could do it yourself as I did my wife is Thai
Peter *****
Leonard Kingston Miragliuolo after it has been translated, it has to be taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be legalised.
Leonard ***********************
Peter Cox it was two years ago and did everything myself,
Leonard ***********************
Peter Cox yes we did thet in Phuket we live in Krabi
Adam *****
Peter Cox correct.
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Adam *****
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Stuart *********
Where you intend to marry -Thailand or NZ? The opposite country from where you are to marry - that person needs to provide a CONI (certificate of no impediment) to marry certificate. The country you are marrying in can check their own national but the other person needs to provide a CONI certificate to prove they are free to marry.
Raymond ********
ORIGINAL POSTERStuart McElney thank you Stuart we have discussed many times the 26 months we are together. I am giving her plenty of opportunities to to back away but she keeps bringing it forward
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Raymond ********
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Noi ******
If marry in Thailand, the marriage certificate need to translate and certified if you wish to use in New Zealand
Noi ******
You can marry both either in Thailand or New Zealand
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Noi ******
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