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What are the steps to convert a US marriage certificate for a Thai marriage visa?

Marriage VisaThai Marriage RegistrationUS Marriage Certificate ConversionNon-O VisaRetirement VisaThai Embassy ProcessAmerican CitizenshipExpats in ThailandImmigration to Thailand
Oct 2, 2023
a year ago
Guy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’m 64 on social security and two pensions from airlines. I’m married to a Thai gal 3 years here in America. She owns a few big farm tracts in Thailand phitsanulok and we’re building a house with family member that’s a skilled tradesman. I’ve been there twice each about 45 to 30 days long. First my wife on a 10 year green card. But I realize she can’t be out USA more than 6 months at a time. Or lose return papers. So she is studying for American citizenship. So she can travel with out hinderance.

This is now me. I live being here during spring summer. I can’t stand winter. So I’m considering living in Thailand 8 months a year. I’m registered at a my wife’s house there. But I need to get my marriage certificate converted to Thai. So I can register my marriage there. For marriage visa. Has anyone here done this. So far I’ve run into I must have American embassy certification it’s real marriage certificate then walk to Thai embassy to have them convert it to Thai.

Any input to the marriage visa?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user explores the process of converting their US marriage certificate into a Thai format for obtaining a marriage visa, after marrying a Thai citizen. They are currently navigating the requirements, which include having the marriage certificate certified by the American embassy before the conversion at a Thai embassy. The post also shares various community experiences regarding marriage visas versus retirement visas, emphasizing the need for the spouse's presence during the process and detailing further steps required for golden years expats wishing to split their time between the US and Thailand.
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  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Ray *********
Make sure you speak with a tax attorney regarding the US taxing her worldwide income and capital gains taxes that she may have to pay even on property acquired prior to citizenshipm. (There are ways to mitigate/avoid.)
a year ago
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Guy ******
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@Ray ********
 when she worked for 6 years in America she paid federal taxes
a year ago
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Guy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
She own property in Thailand. Not taxable in usa
a year ago
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Ray *********
@Guy *****
 more taxes are coming. Make sure you get someone to help you plan if she has significant assets, particularly assets that may be subject to capital gains. (The US taxes on worldwide income.)
a year ago
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Ray *********
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Ben *********
I chose to use retirement non-O visa in lieu of marriage. Been here since 2013. See what’s suits you better or best.
a year ago
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Terary **********
You will have challenges find a Thai embassy in Thailand and equally as much trouble finding a US embassy in the USA, so its not likely you will walk from one to the other.

I am on a marriage visa and they are a pain. I have a friend that is retirement age and has a Thai wife and they prefer the retirement visa over the marriage visa. I will be retirement age soon and I will stronger consider the retirement visa over the marriage visa.

I got married in Thailand so I don't know the process of getting the US marriage certificate authenticated. I wonder if its not easier just to get married in Thailand. No reason you can't marry her twice, especially when you consider how well both governments don't communicate.

Sounds like you are well situated to go either way, marriage visa or retirement visa.. In your case it's a matter of benefit vs hassle.
a year ago
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Guy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
 I all fairness to family. I think it be a great event for us to remarry there. Her whole village be kicking up a karaoke party. That’s for sure and I bet it’s easyer on the paperwork.
a year ago
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Graham ******
@Terary *********
 To marry legally in Thailand you need an Affirmation to Marry from your Embassy. You will not get that if already married.
a year ago
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Guy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 thanks guys I’m just a little more confused than before.
a year ago
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Terary **********
@Guy *****
 The embassy provided you an affidavit. Basically, they have a document that you sign stating ...

"Note: An affidavit is a self-sworn statement, NOT a guarantee or certification of single status. Ensure you are prepared to provide proof of divorce, death, etc., to an Amphur should they require it." th.usembassy.gov

This is the form you need to fill out. You simply fill-out the form (do not sign it). Take the form to the embassy and get it notarized (this is when you sign it).

You would have to fib but they're not likely to check if you are married in any other state. They don't do credit check or tax reports. I don't think you would get caught. However, it could cause you some legal problems if she get wins the lottery and dumps you. You could sue her but then she could raise the issue that you're marriage is phony.... But I doubt it will be a problem.

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a year ago
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Terary **********
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Guy ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 hmmm that’s bummer
a year ago
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Terary **********
@Graham *****
 I think perhaps you're not familiar with the US embassy policies? I assume when the OP said "American" he was as US national.

"The U.S. embassy or consulate cannot attest to your marital status. " Directly from the Embassy website.

Instead what they do is notarize and affidavit that that says, the signer (the OP in this case), is legal to marry. Which they are by virtue of the their current marriage.
a year ago
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Terary **********
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Pom ********
Based on my experience, I have to get marriage license authenticated/certified in the following orders: county , state, US State Department, and Thai Consulate. You can check with Thai Consulate if they provide translation services after they signed the document. If they don’t, you can get it translated in Thailand. The whole process took about 2-3 months.
a year ago
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Alistair **********
The process to legalise a document is usually embassy stamp, then get it translated and stamped by an approved translation company, then take the document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for them to legalise the document (or pay company to do it for you). I think the US embassy won't stamp documents anymore so might need to be done in the US before coming over.

If keeping extra money in a Thai bank isn't a concern, then a retirement visa might be a simpler option with less requirements and hassle from immigration.
a year ago
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Pat *****
@Alistair *********
 translations can be done with translation cy via e mail, and MFA has also a mail service to stamp and send back.
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Pat ****
 MFA didn't accept my printed copy, made me get the actual stamp from the translation company
a year ago
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Pat *****
@Alistair *********
 yes first transalte by official translate xompany and than send to MFA...first time they refused because the stamp of the embassy was not translated.....
a year ago
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Pat *****
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Steve **********
FYI to one of your points:

“Permanent or conditional residents should apply for a re-entry permit if they will be outside the United States for one year or more. While it is valid, a re-entry permit allows you to apply for admission to the U.S. without having to obtain a returning resident visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.”

Direct from USCIS.

I was told directly from an agent when we were entering America that she must return every 364 days or get a re-entry permit.
a year ago
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Robin *********
@Steve *********
 Yes, legally she can apply locally in the US for a parole/absence from USCIS for up to a year and even 2 years under certain circumstances.

Remember those absent days away from the US will be deducted from the number of days the applicant must be physically and continuously be present in the US before the application for citizenship is approved.

(Continuously 30 months presence in the US before the application can move forward towards citizenship)
a year ago
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Robin *********
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Ernesto ********
Go ahead and start to get your marriage license certified by us department of state. The Thai embassy in USA will have instructions. It takes a few weeks. Maybe longer now.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
Your wife will need to be with you in order to apply for a marriage visa or a 1 year extension of the marriage visa. So you'll either need to get the 90 day Non-O visa from the Thai embassy in the US before you both travel to Thailand together, then you can open a bank account and put the 400,000 baht in it. After 2 months you can apply for the 1-year extension and then your wife can return to the US and only needs to be back in time for your next 1-year extension.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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