Answered4 years ago
What are the steps and tips for a German national to get married in Thailand without complications?
Tipps / agencies sought for getting married in Thailand without the hassle. As a German national it would seem to be particularly complicated, lengthy, and costly to marry a Thai woman. While for some nationalities (like the US) it is as “simple” as giving an affirmation of THEM never having been married at their respective consulate, who then issues a letter to present at the Amphoe. Sounds like rather streamlined. The bureaucracy involved for Germans is on a whole other level. Germans need a document from Germany called “Ehefähigkeitszeugnis” (a very German word, I know). It is a certificate that is issued by an authority in Germany (and only in German of course) that confirms that BOTH the German national AND the Thai national are free to marry EACH OTHER. That involves countless different documents, translations, notarizations, and legalizations from various authorities in both countries send back and forth. And only then would be German consulate issue a confirmation of free to marry to the Thai Amphoe. Very costly and time-consuming. A nightmare. While I was always one to avoid agencies and the brown envelope kind of way of doing things in Thailand, I am leaning towards making an exception here, if possible. Any leads on a painless way to obtaining a legit Thai marriage certificate? Both have never been married. And please, no jokes about the pain of getting married in general – and what a mistake it is. ;-)
Answer summary
Getting married in Thailand as a German national can be particularly challenging due to extensive bureaucratic requirements. German nationals need an 'Ehefähigkeitszeugnis', which is a document that confirms both individuals are free to marry. This involves obtaining various documents, translations, and notarizations from German authorities, as well as confirmations from the Thai consulate. Many expats suggest considering marriage in countries with less stringent requirements, such as Denmark or Hong Kong, to avoid the complex process in Thailand. Additionally, some recommend hiring an agency to streamline the process, even if it feels counter to typical approaches to expat life.
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Dean **************
I managed to do all my documents in Bkk in one day, then went to the Amphoe the next day to get married. Going back to the Amphoe this month to get divorced, which seems to be easier so I’m told. 😂
Bill *********
Required also of US citizens. This is a BS Thai requirement. The US embassy does not even guarantee the information on the form is accurate therefore one can lie and the embassy does not care. They just put their stamp of approval on it and I pay $50. Then I have to pay another $15 to get it translated. Thai government loves paperwork and making things as difficult as possible for farangs.
Sven *******
OP@Bill ********
If only it were that simple for me. Just signing a form stating I am not married at the consulate, have and stamped and translated would be considered very smooth in comparison to the joke the German way constitutes. As a German, not only the German, but also the future Thai wife have to provide a total of 6 different documents (translated and notarized), hers then send to Germany to some administration. This administration together with a court does lenghty checks. And only then sends a free to marrige document. This document again, you then take to the consulate in Thailand, where then finally a consulate letter of being free to marry is issued - which of course would then also need to be translated for the anctual Thai marriage to start. Rediculous!
Chris *****
Maybe the marriage will be more easily accepted by Germany having been through the lengthy process, and by taking a short cut now you might be giving yourself more headaches if you ever want to visit Germany together or register a child for a German passport, etc? I've absolutely no idea but having done similar I know bureaucratic headaches, and the immense value of historical paperwork documenting your relationship.
Terary **********
Maybe something to do with Nazi era marriage requirements?
John ********
Same for any nationality
Steve *******
FFS! You just need conformation from your Embassy that you're free to marry, ie never been married or a copy of your decree nisi if you've been divorced. It's not rocket science it's super easy!
Pete *******
@Steve ******
you obviously have never butted heads with German bureaucracy!Steve *******
@Pete ******
So are you saying German citizens cant get married in Thailand? Im sure many have by getting an affirmation to marry from their Embassy.It's the first Ive heard from any Embassy in Thailand. Very strange.
Sven *******
OP@Pete ******
Unfortunately the easy times in Denmark are gone, too. Hongkong and Georgia (the country) still seem to be easy, though.Pete *******
@Steve ******
Germans can’t even get married in Germany! Many many Germans travel to Denmark to get married due to the less onerous documentation requirements. The myth of efficient German bureaucracy!Sven *******
OP@Toon *********
And you are? Wake up, mate, it is the year 2022, not 1944. Cheers.Sven *******
OP@Steve ******
True for US citizens. You if only it were that simple for Germans, too.Steve *******
@Sven ******
Just need proof you're not married!Sven *******
OP@Steve ******
Again, if only. And should be as you suggests. But it isn't. There is a registration certificate available at local citizen centers in Germany, that also includes the marital status of beeing single. But that would be too simple for the German consulates. They want the whole certificate of no impediment to marry (which includes lengthy checks of both people getting married). As a said, a mess.Steve *******
@Sven ******
You must be able to prove you're not married or have been divorced? It's not rocket science even for the German Embassy!Sven *******
OP@Steve ******
Apparently they require a confirmation of being free to marry from one’s consulate. And the German consulate only issues those, once presented with the document mentioned in my original post. Lucky you for the UK then.Steve *******
@Sven ******
Same for German citizens, I'm from the UK, it's the same!Pete *******
Ahhh the myth of efficient Germany bureaucracy. The Rathaus will never get rid of their fax machines! Good luck for your nuptials!
Nata****
Kopenhagen geht tatsächlich auch ohne Probleme, wenn ihr vielleicht eh Urlaub in Europa macht. 🙏
Sven *******
OP@Nata****
Danke. Ich meine, bei Hochzeiten in Dänemark hatte sich jüngst auch einiges verändert / verkompliziert. Aber ja: Ehefähigkeitszeugnis wird dort immer noch nicht benötigt. Nur Ausweise vorlegen ist aber auch nicht mehr. Nun fordern die Dänischen Behörden diverse Dokumente im Vorlauf.Marco ********
@Sven ******
Man muss Bilder vorlegen, DK prüft zentral, ob es keine Scheinehe ist. War hier aber kein Problem, da wir vor der Hochzeit schon 18 Jahre zusammen gelebt haben. Hochzeit fand dann problemlos auf der Insel Aero statt.Marco ********
@Sven ******
Ja neben den Paessen braucht sie auch ein gueltiges Visum. Flüchtlinge oder Illegale dürfen nicht mehr in DK heiraten. Und die deutschen Behörden sind regelmaessig sauer, wenn man mit Schengen visum in DK heiratet und dann in EU bleiben will. Will man aber in Thailand leben ist das ok, das kriegen die deutschen dann garnicht mit.Sven *******
OP@Marco *******
Das heißt in Dänemark müssen noch immer keine Geburtsurkunden und sonstiges in übersetzter und beglaubigter Form vorgelegt werden? Zwei gültige Pässe und zahlreiche Bilder und Nachweise über jahrelange Beziehung hätte ich genug. Gut, dann bliebe das Problem mit dem Schengenvisum - die Anforderungen sind ja auch nicht gerade gering für ein einfaches Touristenvisum.
Michael ***********
Hi Sven, it might seem only difficult at the beginning, just follow the steps..
It is neither costly nor time consuming!
Complaining about German bureaucracy will not help.
I married here - so can you.
Gruss
Michael
It is neither costly nor time consuming!
Complaining about German bureaucracy will not help.
I married here - so can you.
Gruss
Michael
Sven *******
OP@Michael **********
Thank you. I am sure it can be done as many did it before. I am just not happy about the German way. Why can't Germany just issue a document stating that I am free to marry (as in not / never been married) - like many other countries do and leave the rest to the Thai laws and authorities? Why does Germany think it is their business to check even if the THAI person I marry is free to marry, if I am not even getting married in Germany? What a bureaucratic mess.Michael ***********
@Sven ******
, ich versteh dich glaub mir! Allerdings ist es in Thailand noch schlimmer als in Deutschland. Ein Bekannter von uns wartet seit drei Monaten auf das Okay des Ampoe, alle Dokumente vorhanden!! Keinerlei Rückäusserung.Viel Glück
Michael
Sven *******
OP@Michael **********
Oh ja. Bürokratie in Thailand kann auch ganz schön anstrengend sein. In Deutschland mögen Regeln exzessiv und bürokratisch sein, aber wenigstens kann man sie vorher genau nachlesen und sie werden überall mehr oder weniger gleich angewendet. In Thailand kocht jeder Behördenchef sein eigenes Süppchen. Immigration lässt grüßen.
Graham ******
The Affirmation needs to be translated then verified at the Thai Ministry along with the passport so not quite as simple as you suggest. Still not that difficult and the Bangkok business can be done in 2 days. Not that costly either.
Sven *******
OP@Graham *****
Yes, I know. But it is only one document that can be quickly obtained and then translated and verified. That would be much more within reason than what Germany makes one do.
Steve ********
Heirate in Hong Kong, die brauchen kein dämliches Ehefähigkeitszeugnis. Wird auch alles anerkannt in Thailand.
Sven *******
OP@Steve *******
Hong Kong hatte ich auch schon gehört. Weißt Du, was dort genau benötigt wird? Hatte gelesen, dass neben Pässen auch beide Geburtsurkunden benötigt werden. Und die Heiratsurkunde aus Hong Kong müsste dann natürlich auch übersetzt und beglaubigt werden für die beiden jeweiligen Heimatländer Thailand und Deutschland. Aber sicher schon mal weniger Aufwand.Activity
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