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What are the steps and considerations for marrying a Thai national and obtaining a marriage visa in Thailand?
Thai marriage processmarriage visaNON-O visaimmigration rulessinsoddowrymarriage documentsexpat advice
May 1, 2022
4 years ago
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERAfter similar experiences on marrying a Thai national, mainly steps to go through.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation outlines the key steps and considerations for foreigners looking to marry a Thai national and obtain a marriage visa. The main steps mentioned include having a fiancé, proving financial stability (having either 400,000 THB in a Thai bank account or proof of monthly income of 40,000 THB), visiting relevant embassies for affidavits, translating documents, and applying for the marriage license at the local Amphur. The discussion touches on the cultural implications of dowries or 'sinsod', as well as experiences with varying requirements depending on local practices. Various opinions and recommendations are shared regarding the complexities and emotional aspects of such marriages.
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Nils *****************
Never again my wife lied to me and sold my motorcycle
Terary **********
Loosing a motorcycle seems like a small price to pay.
Thomas *************
@Nils ****************
you were very lucky, could have been worse ! ***************************************************************************************************************************************
*****
58/wife-friend-arrested-for-plotting-to-kill-danish-husband-for-b10m-insurance-payoutJames *******
@Nils ****************
Same with every investment. You need to do your research. 🤣Reply to
James *******
Reply
Colin ********
No, it depends on your visa. You don't need to change you visa until it expires.
Emma ****************
Is it true after first part of marriage is sorted out for three months, you have to stay in the country until you get the one year stamp?
Jason ********
It's called £
Colin ********
There is no need for expensive agents, I did it all in a day once I got my declaration of being single back from the embassy
Colin ********
Cost me abt 1000-2000 thb to get married, you can get a one year multiple entry from outside Thailand and just need to get a stamp every 3 months
Derek ***********
@Colin *******
don't you need to get it stamped every 3 months even if you are married, no matter what we are foreigners and will never become a citizen or have similar rights even with a local as a spouse. I'm not complaining just stating what I believeColin ********
Then you don't need money in the bank or proof of income just your marriage certificate and your wife's ID
Derek ***********
@Colin *******
I didn't know thatReply to
Derek ***********
Reply
Colin ********
@Derek **********
I mean you have to do a border runReply to
Colin ********
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Damian *********
I tested my wife, after a year of being together, saying I was low on money etc. she stuck by me. Said how can I help?
Don’t get me wrong she tries it on when walking passed the gold shop etc, she’s a Thai person with a vagina can’t be 100%.
Build a great relationship with the immediate family. There will be extended family who will try to cause issues. Just make it clear immediate family if they’re in hospital and a life threatening bill needs paying your be the first one there to confirm the price and pay for them. But ‘sick buffalo’ money isn’t happening.
I personally have a great marriage with someone who has a stronger work ethics than my self.
There are a some who want a farang husband for the right reasons, not what alot think money and face etc.
Also make sure your wife changes her name to yours, every time she shows her ID card in the Bank etc she gets asked if she actually Thai with the surname changed to mine.
Makes married life that bit more entertaining!
Good luck I found it harder in some ways happily married for 5 years.
Don’t get me wrong she tries it on when walking passed the gold shop etc, she’s a Thai person with a vagina can’t be 100%.
Build a great relationship with the immediate family. There will be extended family who will try to cause issues. Just make it clear immediate family if they’re in hospital and a life threatening bill needs paying your be the first one there to confirm the price and pay for them. But ‘sick buffalo’ money isn’t happening.
I personally have a great marriage with someone who has a stronger work ethics than my self.
There are a some who want a farang husband for the right reasons, not what alot think money and face etc.
Also make sure your wife changes her name to yours, every time she shows her ID card in the Bank etc she gets asked if she actually Thai with the surname changed to mine.
Makes married life that bit more entertaining!
Good luck I found it harder in some ways happily married for 5 years.
Jon ********
Last step for me today... Divorce 🙏😅👍
Jushangin ********
Jon Gwynne good luck. Hope it's a reasonable one for you
Jon ********
@James ********
yes thanks my wife is a good woman.. Non 0 visa stops immediately.. Change to Non B takes a few days and I get fined 500 for every day 😅😅Reply to
Jon ********
Reply
Terje ***************
Not much. Only single status from your country. Verified. Same with nwife
David ********
Mike Zdar
Sam *****
F
David *****
It will ALWAYS be about the 💰 🤑
David *******
@David ****
it's the same with any woman lolSpencer *******
@David ****
farang birds are all about money too. Nothing newJohn ***********
@David ****
my Thai wife makes more than me, works hard and still takes time to take care of me. So much for that theoryVili *********
@John **********
same here with my thai gf she buy so much expensive stuff for me. So if i would be putting on the paper i think she treat me more then i treat her. So if someone say it will always be about money you dont know what you talking about, or you just saying what you hear from others.David *****
@John **********
an exceptionReply to
David *****
Reply
John *********
@David ****
Depends on yourself as much as anyone else David. Goes for many things in life.Ryan ***********
@David ****
doubt itReply to
Ryan ***********
Reply
Stephenie **********
Rent not buy is honestly the best policy, good luck either way
John *********
@Stephenie *********
Depends if whores are really your thing I suppose.Stephenie **********
@John ********
how rudeJohn *********
@Stephenie *********
You suggested it. Not me 😃Thomas *************
@John ********
if he has the means he can easily take beauties from universities to luxury island escapes then end the fun a few weeks or months later.. It is absolutely leasing imo, no whores, bar girls or massage parlors involved.Reply to
Thomas *************
Reply
Derek ***********
I have a few friends who are married to a local Thai but I don't see that they have any advantage versus staying single if you are 50+ and have guarantee income coming in.
Nick *********
Run as fast as you can
Gordon *******
I landed in BKK on the 28th April, embassy to sign affirmation (British embassy) , the translator for the paperwork met me at the embassy ,
Once that’s back & we get married we take all the paperwork to the local Amphor & sign a certificate in front of 2 witnesses .
All the paperwork then gets posted to the department of foreign affairs .
and done the pre wedding photos today , we get married on the 10th of may ,
Mrs wants a small ceremony so there’s marquees going up at her parents house
A sinsod which we’re getting back (just for show for the guests )
Things will be a bit different depending on your native country but after your paperwork is sorted it’ll mostly be the same , if in Issan though you won’t get the sinsod back though
Once that’s back & we get married we take all the paperwork to the local Amphor & sign a certificate in front of 2 witnesses .
All the paperwork then gets posted to the department of foreign affairs .
and done the pre wedding photos today , we get married on the 10th of may ,
Mrs wants a small ceremony so there’s marquees going up at her parents house
A sinsod which we’re getting back (just for show for the guests )
Things will be a bit different depending on your native country but after your paperwork is sorted it’ll mostly be the same , if in Issan though you won’t get the sinsod back though
Michael *******
@Gordon ******
issan marriage I flipped the script on my kui (indigenous) bride. I asked her to pay sin sod for me which she did but your right mom gave it right back to her.Reply to
Michael *******
Reply
Mike *******
British embassy is £50 for affirmation of marriage and £25 for certified copy of your passport, I did this other week took 5 days to book appointment with embassy
Mike *******
This is requirements mate, wishing you and your lady best of luck an happiness
Lawrence *****
@Mike ******
strikes me as odd one has to state their income for a marriage applicationMike *******
@Lawrence *********
I haven't actually been asked to show any income and my application is now complete, I was given this by the local amphur in Bangkok but didn't end up using that amohur in the end so maybe some requirements are amphur specific.Erik ******************
@Lawrence *********
Thailand has enough poverty. They don't want to import more.Reply to
Erik ******************
Reply
Robert *******
Can u run?
Patrick ********
Don't do it best advice
Barry **********
Don't fall for the Sin Sod con
Jamie ******
Tell her you're completely broke.
Tell her you really love her.
Wait.
Tell her you really love her.
Wait.
Steve **********
@Doug *********
this works...next text will be mom sick, going home to village..byeJushangin ********
@Doug *********
absolutely nailed it. You have reached Zen master status.Stephen **********
@Doug *********
I guess you are one of the cheap Charlie’s that the thai government is trying to get rid of.Jamie ******
@Stephen *********
far from it. Nearly 30 years of Thailand, I go there to spend up big.Reply to
Jamie ******
Reply
J ******************
Depends what country you are from as you need firstly to prove you are single by getting documents from your embassy stating that .A Certificate of No Impairment. Try using Google to see what your Embassy can provide by looking up Getting Married in Thailand adding your nationality .
Mo ******
@J *****************
for Brit’s it’s called “Affirmation of marriage “ certificateJ ******************
@Mo *****
each country seems to have its own name for it. For Australians CNI or certificate of No Impairment.Brook ********
@J *****************
marriage is an “impairment”. 555Mo ******
@J *****************
probably just to confuse the matter 😉 Thai immigration call it “ freedom to marry” and every time I apply for my non o spouse visa they want to see a copy …Reply to
Mo ******
Reply
Brian *****************
I tried twice on my last visit, the British embassy let me down badly didn’t read my emails and thought I was money laundering. I am going to try to get the single certificate on my next visit.
Leonard *********
Just an observation here (seeing as you’re an Aussie and I know about Australian immigration rules): A spouse visa application is available to a defacto couple who have been cohabitating for at least 12 months. A Thai marriage isn’t needed for that purpose. Now, before the Oz bush lawyers jump all over me and point out the that Australian family law works the same way for defacto and dejure, it seems to me that Thai law imposes additional obligations on top of that once you have that piece of Thai paper.
Dice ****
Just because some of you were taken to the cleaners and are bitter does not mean everyone will end up the same
Nigel *********
@Dyason *****
some people are just shit magnets.Reply to
Nigel *********
Reply
Derek ***********
I wonder if a guy from Thailand have to do the same thing ?
Nigel *********
@Derek **********
no. If a foreign female is marrying a Thai, then the document s required are the same however there is no financial requirements (*****
0thb). If a Thai Male is marrying a Thai female then there is no requirement to get documents translated as all his documents are also in Thai. There is no requirement to show *****
0thb either.Barry *******
@Nigel *********************
American? Your on the wrong side of the Atlantic daft lad!Nigel *********
@Barry ******
Jeezz.... I just did you again!Barry *******
aye so ye did! Baw bag.
Reply to
Barry *******
Reply
Barry *******
@Nigel *********************
no shit Sherlock! The 400k is for the visa. Obviously a Thai will not require a visa.Nigel *********
@Barry ******
You don't do irony do you..... Americans!!Reply to
Nigel *********
Reply
Derek ***********
@Nigel *********************
interesting requirementsReply to
Derek ***********
Reply
David *****
Don't go there,it wont end well
Alain ***********
Start training to run, run, run
Jushangin ********
Keep all evidence for the messy break up.
Ronald *****
@James ********
what type of evidence? Photos of her sleeping with the man?😂Reply to
Ronald *****
Reply
Av **********
Dowry - marriage - buy house - put in her name - then you kicked out and she got a new house :)
Terry ********
@Av *********
I think you must have bad judgement skills. So why would anyone take judgement from you?Derek ***********
@Av *********
Thai style 💯Derek ***********
@Av *********
Land of Smiles😊Ronald *****
@Av *********
I've seen some Thai girls together with the foreigner and she too had a Thai bf..I'm sure the Thai bf also knows she been sleeping around yet he can tolerate the gf sleeping with other men..😅Av **********
@Ronald ****
30 years in Thailand I've seen it all. Even knew one guy who was slowly poisoned in his orange juice every morning till they got the house. And the most famous trick, when you marry her and her "brother" she brings over all the time is actually her husband.
Ronald *****
@Av *********
you seem so experienced..😂Reply to
Ronald *****
Reply
John **********
Search here on this page. Many many words of advice on the steps. Click the heading. Then click on the magnifying glass icon. It will bring up a search box.
Terary **********
I have plans to start the process next week. After seeing all the requirements, go to office 1 , go to office 2, go to office 3, go to office 4 fill out paperwork, get prenub, find witnesses.
I opted to hire someone familiar with the process to do all the paperwork. I have done it yet so I can't tell you how it all worked out but ask me in 2 weeks.
I opted to hire someone familiar with the process to do all the paperwork. I have done it yet so I can't tell you how it all worked out but ask me in 2 weeks.
Nigel *********
@Terary *********
yea. Seems daunting. My advice is ( as if I know anything) is take your time and don't think you can get it all bashed out in a couple of days. It took me round about 3 months in all, mostly waiting for the Amphur.Terary **********
@Nigel *********************
You had to wait the Amphur? I was under the impression that was a simple process, much like "going down to city hall"? Was your wait on paperwork?Nigel *********
@Terary *********
we got married in Takuapa, small rural town. Your experience may differReply to
Nigel *********
Reply
Allan ********
I did a bit about this in Bangkok. Simple. Costs next to nothing.... If you're not pulled on sinsot (dowry). If you are.... best of luck on that. I'd personally do a runner.
**************************************************************************
Barry *******
@Allan *******
can cost you a lot when it goes tits up!!Carl ***********
@Barry ******
and in between 5555Reply to
Carl ***********
Reply
Werner *******
The key is to go to the district office where you will actually sign the paperwork and get married, then talk to them beforehand about what documents you need. Not every office wants the same docs, so ask them what they need, and then give them exactly those documents. My local office wanted one of the witnesses to have the same last name as my wife, but this is not something all offices will ask.
Nigel *********
@Werner ******
Good adviceReply to
Nigel *********
Reply
Nigel *********
Let's see what I can remember.
Get
1. Visit your embassy or consulate and sign affidavit stating you are free to marry. Certify passport true copy (?)
2. Visit ministry of foreign affairs and get documents translated then translation certified.
3. Visit local Amphur and arrange a date to get married
4. Get married.
5. Go buy 90 day in country visa non o basis of marriage to Thai.
6 At end of 90 days go get one year extension based on marriage.
What have I missed out?
Get
*****
0thb in the bank asap1. Visit your embassy or consulate and sign affidavit stating you are free to marry. Certify passport true copy (?)
2. Visit ministry of foreign affairs and get documents translated then translation certified.
3. Visit local Amphur and arrange a date to get married
4. Get married.
5. Go buy 90 day in country visa non o basis of marriage to Thai.
6 At end of 90 days go get one year extension based on marriage.
What have I missed out?
Spencer *******
@Nigel *********************
400,000 or 40,000 per month according to immigration article 18.6Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTERthank you Nigel, that’s all I need to know
Jeff *********
@Jon *****
😂😂😂Nigel *********
@Jon *****
I'm guessing you got fucked over at some point. Happens to me a few years ago with a Scottish girl. Shit hapenz. Can't take it with you.Jon ******
@Nigel *********************
I'm very very lucky to have a good Thai wife, has her own house, car, motorbike, gold, money in the bank before she met me, but I have seen bad stuff hapoen to others, and just the general attitude of Thai people that we (Farangs) are all some super rich suckers here to be sponged off of.Especially country people, who don't mind sending their daughters and sons off to slave away in menial jobs in the city miles from home, and send money back for Por and Mare so they can sit around drinking and complaining. Then see more easy dollar signs when a Farang shows up Lol.
I've tried to de-programme and teach my wife that it's so wrong to pull your kids down, sponge off of them, expect to be 'looked after'.
Yeah yeah yeah..I know full well it's in alot of Asian cultures to ruin your chances of ever getting ahead in life by pouring all your hard earned back to poor impoverished simpletons who have no idea how to manage money to make merit and honor and respect your parents, creating the common cycle of inter-generational poorness, nobody ever gets ahead...ever....parents demand by guilt tripping to pull the kids down to their level.
If you love your kids you want to see them succeed, to launch them to a better life, better than you did, lift them up...and never ask them for handouts.
I don't know if she will ever accept this concept, tradition (read guilt tripping manipulation) runs strong and deep!
Reply to
Jon ******
Reply
Philip **********
@Nigel *********************
You forgot about the prenuptial agreement.Nigel *********
@Philip *********
She's welcome to everything I got... 100% of nothing seems a fair deal 🤣🤣🤣Reply to
Nigel *********
Reply
Jordi ********
@Nigel *********************
I was told that proof of x amount of monthly income could also work instead of the 400k bank account but haven't researched yetNigel *********
@Jordi *******
income of *****
thb earned in Thailand will do the trick.Reply to
Nigel *********
Reply
AxMdob *******
@Nigel *********************
contact à lawyer in Step 1!John *******
@Nigel *********************
whats the reason for the *****
0thb?Nigel *********
@John ******
dunno. Immigration won't give you the visa without it though. For the one year extension it needs to be in the bank (Thai bank your name only) for min 2 months.Spencer *******
@Nigel *********************
you can also show proof of earnings over 40k per month. Clearly states that on the immigration website for marriage visas.Terary **********
@Nigel *********************
Does it have to be in the bank 2 or 3 months before, and 2 or 3 months after?Additionally, you have to show it comes from internationally?
Nigel *********
@Terary *********
2 months before ( 60 days) some immigration offices want it to stay in the bank for the under consideration period, others not. As soon as you get your one year extension you can get straight down the bookies and blow it ( exept there are no bookies in Thailand) Does not need to come from outside Thailand.Terary **********
@Nigel *********************
And when you renew? 14 months later? Will you need to have it in the bank before/after?Tom *******
@Terary *********
12 months later, 11 if you want enough time for the new extension to be processed and not have to buy a one month extension of 1,900 THB.Reply to
Tom *******
Reply
Werner *******
@John ******
IF you want a visa based on marriage, you have to show money in the bank (at least 400,000thb) for at least 3 months before the visa application.EDIT: Two months, not three.
Barry *******
@Werner ******
2 months bud.Werner *******
@Barry ******
Yes, you're right, thank you.Reply to
Werner *******
Reply
Deanna *******
@Nigel *********************
You forgot to mention a potential dowry to the family. I know 2 guys going through that now.Jamie ******
Dowry= voluntary.
Nigel *********
@Deanna ******
some do and some don't. I didn't pay anything.Karim ***************
@Nigel *********************
your wife wasn’t from Isaan then. I hear of a lot of people paying the sinsod but then getting it back after the wedding… Again, not if they’re from Isaan.Nigel *********
@Karim **************
wrongReply to
Nigel *********
Reply
Dimitri ********
Why marry ? It can only give problems later on. Try to answer that for yourself.
Spencer *******
@Dimitri *******
don't be so negative and just try to answer the guy's question. EhDimitri ********
@Spencer ******
He asked for steps to go through, and this was the first thing that came into my mind. I live together with my girlfriend, we even have a 2 year old baby together. Cannot think about even 1 reason to marry. What will it change? It can only give problems. How many marriages end up in a divorce? Was it 50 or 60% ?Spencer *******
@Dimitri *******
he didn't ask you for reasons not to marry though did he? But you try to provide him with a bunch of reasons why he shouldn't. If you can't see any reasons to marry, you must have issues with commitment in my opinion.Dimitri ********
@Spencer ******
He asked for steps to take. Where I'm from, you lose half your possessions after a divorce. Unless you spend a lot of money on all kinds of complicated procedures with contracts and such. If that happens I will be finished. Legislation in Thailand will also be different than in the country I come from. So you can probably do everything twice. Seriously, I think asking yourself whether it makes sense to get married is an important first step.Dylan *********
@Dimitri *******
says the old guy who can stay in Thailand on a retirement visa, no shit you don't need to get married. People under 50 exist FYIDimitri ********
@Dylan ********
I fly home every couple of months. No need for a long stay visa. People with enough money also exist FYI.Dylan *********
@Dimitri *******
copeReply to
Dylan *********
Reply
Dylan *********
@Dimitri *******
for a visa, use your brainJohn ********
@Dylan ********
Just buy a visa. Cheaper in the long run.Dylan *********
@John *******
elite visa is 20k. I fail to see how it's cheaper. Ed is only for a year also.John ********
@Dylan ********
Cheaper if you've got assets you will lose in divorce. Works only if you are poor.Reply to
John ********
Reply
Dimitri ********
@Dylan ********
That sounds like a bad decision.Dylan *********
@Dimitri *******
you asked why when you already knew the reasonDimitri ********
@Dylan ********
Honestly... Marriage only for a visa was not in my mind.Reply to
Dimitri ********
Reply
Rob *******
What do you mean simular experiences 🤔
Brett **********
Step 1. Find a fiancé
Reply to
Brett **********
Reply
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