What are the requirements to register a marriage to a Thai national for a foreigner?

Dec 17, 2019
5 years ago
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Request to the moderators for an indirect visa question.

I visited Lak Si district office Bangkok today to register my marriage to a Thai national.

We had a Christian/Buddhist ceremony previously and wanted to register it to enable me to apply for a Non O visa based on marriage.

(I'm aware of the financial requirements for the actual visa application).

I obtained all the necessary docs from embassy and MFA stamps .

When I arrived I was told I must provide proof of earning to actually marry a Thai national. Basically if you don't have proof of income, no registration.

I was quite surprised at this.

I can provide proof of funds, but didn't know it was needed to just get married.

I may have overlooked this when checking what is needed. U.K. passport holder.

Is this a general requirement or a individual office requirement?

Advice really appreciated.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster shares their experience of trying to register their marriage to a Thai national at a district office in Bangkok, which unexpectedly required proof of income. They inquire if this requirement is a general rule or an individual office's policy. Comments from other users describe varying requirements across different offices in Thailand, suggesting that while some may require proof of income, others do not. They recommend checking with the specific office beforehand and mention experiences with the marriage affirmation format and necessary documentation.
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Tod *********
Sadly your post and the oh-so long replies to it are NOT thai VISA related.

We are done..
Tod *********
Try another amphur to register your marriage to a thai from abroad here. There are FIFTY Amphurs in Bangkok, just because you got that from one doesn't mean they all follow it.
Patrick ******
Regardless income, if I don't have job I am not allowed to get married? It is silly!!!
Joe ***********
My advice - forget the road blocking Thai Bureaucracy - go to the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet and get married there - then get a One Year Multi-Entry O Visa for Marriage. Or just go to some other location in Thailand where they don't have this idiotic rule and get married
Bell *******
Joe D Greene Pretty sure a divorce at a Thai Consulate/Emb is not accepted by the UK govt. Is a marriage there valid then? Although you think you will never go back to the UK etc, you might need to one day. At least some of us still rec income from the UK, what will happen to inheritance if there is no will?

It is better to be cautious. Do it right and do it once.

Bangrak is the most friendly registrar in BKK. The OP does not need to get married at Lak Si but ANYWHERE in BKK.
Biff *******
Ok, I didn't realise you could do that :)
Biff *******
Getting married in Laos is WAY more difficult than doing it in Thailand.
Rex ******
The admin may now close this post 🙂
Bell *******
ok I misread your post. Sorry. Requirements really vary. Usually certification of your passport plus Thai translation and legalisation by Dept of Consular Affairs, Affirmation of Marital Status, passport, your lady's ID card and blue book (ทะเบียนบ้าน) if there was a divorce or death of previous spouse then the list could get bigger.

Anyhow you have a month to get this done. Ring Laksi and best of luck!
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for all the helpful comments guys.
Rex ******
@Bell ******
He already went to Lak Si and they asked him only for any proof of financial support for the wife or perhaps his monthly income ie employment letter or bank statement. He should be ok to go and try again tomorrow.
Bell *******
The best registrars to try are Bangrak which only accepts 8 couples daily (you must turn up at 5-6AM to be among the lucky couples) and Ratburana as some of Bangrak officers move there.
Bell *******
then it is not really a big problem. Count yourself lucky. Some places ask for loads more ie if you were divorced, they insisted on Decree Absolute plus Thai translation and legalisation.

I heard that Laksi is one of the easiest ones.
Rex ******
@Bell ******
The amphur only ask for a simple bank statement or employment letter. No need to be certified or apostilled. The staff in Lak Si are accommodating.
Bell *******
Sorry this is long but bear with me as you might find my info useful.

There are some registrars who do not require income details and proof. You/your Thai lady need to call some to find out. I heard that a lot of them in Bkk need it. To my knowledge, only the income rec'd stated on the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry is required.

My OH went to the Brit Emb y'day to obtain an Affirmation of Marital Status, we were told that any AoMS with income figure is not accepted. You have to stick to the format which no longer incl your income. I cannot think of any other proof that will not require FCO, Thai Emb in London and the Dept of Consular Affairs to certify. Believe me this is the correct steps to legalise/use your UK docs in Thailand, although some registrars do skip the last part making life so much easier and the process cheaper and quicker.

cont...
Rex ******
It is a general requirement that the Marriage affirmation states your occupation and your income whether monthly or yearly. However UK and Australian Embassies changed their format and occupation and/or income are no longer stated in the affirmation. So the district office will now require you to show proof of income and/or occupation. Obviously some districts won’t ask these information and some will do. So please check which district to go to.
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Rex. Agreed
Jonathan *************
good luck Philip to you both with this
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Johnathan. I guess this is because the affidavit no longer shows funds on UK passport holder.
Riccardo *******
May be you just can show your bank statement from your country. For italian people is so. When you no have work, you can obtain NULLAOSTA from Embassy just showing your bank statement, no request minimum. You can print with your banking online
Rex ******
At least the amphur didn’t ask you to come back after 2 to 3 weeks to register your marriage. Bang Rak does that.
Jonathan *************
" register my marriage to a Thai national.". Married informally or elsewhere?
Rex ******
@Jonathan ************
Did you do it using the new format of marriage affirmation? The posted has the new format and got married in Bangkok and not Hua Hin.
Rex ******
@Jonathan ************
They had a Thai wedding which isn’t a registered marriage.
Jonathan *************
but you were already married you say?
Rex ******
It is basic requirement that a Male party needs to show proof of support for the female party. If the Male party is Thai, he also needs to show that proof.
Brett *********
@Rex *****
I suppose than, like immigration, each Amphur is different. We were not at our local. We had to do it in Bangkok. We had a few issues with the witness requirement but that was sorted by a senior official.
Brett *********
@Rex *****
I got married a year ago in Bangkok and showed nothing related to finances. It was all about having a notarised certificate stating I was free to marry. It was a fairly large department/main office.
Jonathan *************
never heard of that. Wasn't required when i married a Thai lady three years or so ago. I vaguely remember a question perhas about my income, but no proof required. The UK embassy when giving you the affirmed affidavit you provided would have told you, surely?
Rex ******
@Jonathan ************
Maybe your marriage affirmation has the amount of your income in it. The current UK and Australian marriage affirmation does not state the monthly/annual income anymore. The embassy however provide you a letter explaining why.
Rex ******
Did you state self-employed or unemployed? Retired?
Rex ******
You can show them the letter from the UK embassy explaining why your income was not stated in the affirmation and then show them your payslip or anything to support the OCCUPATION stated in your affirmation.
Robert *******
That is why we so many times recommend, visit first to get a hand out with the requirements. These requirements can differ between all the offices nationwide, it is not only at Immigration.
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Robert. I wanted to make sure.

Appreciated.
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