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. ;-)
TLDR : 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.
