Is our marriage legally recognized in the USA if registered in Thailand?

@Jonathan *******

my thai daughter in law has had hers translated and certified genuine by Thai Ministry Of Foreign Affairs in BKK. Shes not been to embassy with it though. Its a formality to have them accept it as genuine I think. You can call or email embassy. They won't be living in usa. My son who has US passport didn’t live there so has no particular state.

@Jonathan *******

what did you use for a tax ID for your spouse?

@Jonathan *******

To have been able to legally marry in Thailand you would have needed an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry from your Embassy

@Jonathan *******

can’t say definitively since I am no expert — but my attorney had me make an appointment way in advance at the US embassy in Bangkok to bring in whatever they needed (my passport etc) and then take some oath / sign this paper. I would look into it. 🤷‍♂️

A friend arrived in the US with his Thai wife and child at the airport, he went in the citizen line with the kid and she went in the foreigner line. Well, he did not prep her well, so when she was asked if she was going to work she said yes. She was told that she didn’t have the right visa and was sent back to Thailand, leaving my friend with their kid in the US!

@Terary *********

I was told only county clerks make marriages official and that is where you need to go to have it done in Pennsylvania, you have to check with your state:

“Do I need to register my marriage with the embassy or consulate to be recognized in the United States? No. To know if your marriage will be recognized in the United States and what documentation may be needed, contact the office of the Attorney General of your state of residence in the United States.”

@Terary *********

also, if you're using turbo tax to create your 1040, use a dummy SSN for her so you can get past the first step. 999-88-9999 will work. Then use a pdf editor to overwrite that on the final 1040 with the words "W7 ITIN application attached"

@Terary *********

not sure what Edna and art are talking about, but you need to get a tax identification number for her, in order to file married jointly.

Go to the American citizen services area on the US embassy Bangkok website and follow the mail-instructions for certifying a Thai passport. You mail her passport to them and they send back a certified copy.

Then you fill out form w7, the application for the ITIN, and include it with a *paper* 1040 when you do your 2022 tax return in 2023. Also include the passport certification from the embassy and a copy of your Thai marriage certificate. You cannot file electronically. You have to mail paper w7 and 1040 together to the ITIN processing center in San Antonio. The address is on the w7. They will issue the TIN and forward your paper 1040 for processing. You'll have to pay DHL about 1500 baht to get these documents back to the USA

Then, be warned, you will wait 6-8 months for your tax refund because the IRS budget has been slashed and there aren't enough personnel to process paper filings.

Pm me if you have more questions

@Terary *********

all documents required, as long as registration was done in Thailand. You need that document including passport.

@Jonathan *******

yes. … military, federal (OPM), etc. Most State retirement are similar, yet have own little intricacies.

I also have my pension from the US Government that I want her to continue to collect when I pass away.

@Jonathan *******

well if she becomes a citizen of the USA won't she be obligated for taxes ?

@Jonathan *******

Of course, I'm sure your marriage will be fine. To protect her, you could also build a house in Thailand.

@Jonathan *******

All the same Jonathan, if you haven't read about red pill awareness already, it's very handy to keep in your back pocket.