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What are the steps to obtain a marriage visa in Thailand for expats?

Feb 9, 2026
3 months ago
Dave ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'll be arriving in Thailand in May sometime and will settle on a "marriage' visa. Ive got my 400,000 sorted, yet to apply for the preliminary visa in the UK as I'm going for a short break in april(don't ask). We've had a family home in Surat Thanni since 2008. I have no yellow book yet or bank account yet. Has anyone recently been through this route recently and what was the exact steps? I'm not very good at following Thai websites or advice from thai officials. They always seem contradictory and inject their own ideas as to requirements. An expat Brit offered kind future help but I've deleted his contact details like a clown. Thank you all in hopeful anticipation that someone can clear this fog of confusion.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the process for obtaining a marriage visa in Thailand, focusing on the user's situation as an expat British individual. They plan to apply for a marriage visa after moving to Thailand and have questions regarding the requirements and steps involved, particularly since they've had a family house in Surat Thani since 2008 but lack some necessary documentation like a Yellow House Book and a local bank account. Commenters provide various pieces of advice, suggesting that the user visit their local immigration office and amphur for specific requirements, considering the variations between different offices. They stress the importance of having the marriage registered in Thailand and suggest that gathering documents, validating their passport at the embassy, and obtaining a Thai phone contract should be done methodically to avoid confusion.
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Parichat ***********
You can now apply for a visa via Thai e-Visa. For your case, apply for a single-entry Non-O Marriage Visa, then extend it for one year after arriving in Thailand. It seems that there is no need to use a Yellow House Book, and you can use an English bank statement from a foreign account.

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Donald **********
As advised you’ll need to go to Immigration for the visa and extension aspects requirements but for the Yellow House Book and Pink ID card your local Amphoe will be the place to ask for local requirements and maybe also the Police for the Pink ID Card if the Amphoe don’t handle that. Also will need to get your Passport validation done at your Embassy and translation done and the certification approved at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Maybe your Birth Certificate too can be translated and certified?

If you’re arriving in May I’d advise you to:

1. try to book an Embassy appointment to coincide with your arrival so you can get your Passport validated, translated and maybe visit the MFA in Bangkok to get certification.(You’ll possibly need to visit your local MFA office later for further certification of other documents)

2. Get a Thai phone contract and visit a local bank and see their requirements for opening an account (or if arriving on a Non-O to open an account)

3. Visit your local Amphoe at Surat Thani to see their requirements for the Yellow Book and Pink ID Card. This will probably involve photos at your house with your local head man and a couple of neighbours/local friends as witnesses and further visits to your local Amphoe with them to sign documents.

Do it in stages so it doesn’t become overwhelming and confusing. It’s easier with the heavy involvement of your Thai wife. Don’t stress. It’ll take time so realise that and accept it.
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Vinny **************
Dont forget to register your kor ror 2
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Gary ********
The best advice has already been given to you by Brandon as each immigration office have different requirements so go to your local one and ask what they want same with bank i was researching how to get a bank account and got so many different answers that I just gave up and went to the bank and asked what they wanted same with immigration 👍 good luck 🤞🙏
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Graeme *******
It's pretty easy go to immigration and ask the requirements the only tricky part is if you didn't get married in Thailand but you haven't stated.
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Dave ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Graeme Drake yes married in thailand in 2005
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Tongjun **
Graeme Drake

My thai wife and I married in England 10 years ago,

How do I go about getting it registered in Thailand

Thanks
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Tongjun **
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Jimmy ******
Get an attorney since it will always be over your head. Do not listen to what is on the street since this is as critical as your personal financial planner.
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Graham *******
Its very simple no attorney required
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Jimmy ******
Graham Hayes
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Jimmy ******
Graham Hayes Life planning is no joke. I am very conservative that way and attorney fee is well spent just like all my real estates transactions
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Jimmy ******
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Farang ******
Go to the most nearby immigration and ask it. Or let your wife call and ask it. I just finished this process. There are 2 immigration office here. Both don't need the same papers.
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Brandon ************
Is your marriage already registered in Thailand? That will make things much simpler
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Dave ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
we married in Bang Rak in 2005.

So that looks like one check-box ticked?
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Brandon ************
@Dave *****
that makes things much easier. You can just pick up proof of your marriage from an amphur office. If it hadn't been registered you'd have to go through a whole process in the UK before going to Thailand and doing a whole process there.
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Dave ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I've got the original certificates, is that proof enough?
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Tevita ******
Dave Owen need both kor ror 2 and kor ror 3 - thai certificates
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Michael ********
Tevita Tuki not always in samat sakorn only original is required thats why
@Brandon ***********
said to check local office and this is reason people get confused is everyone offering different advice
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Brandon ************
@Dave *****
Each immigration office will have different requirements. You'll want to get the exact list of requirements from your local office.
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Dave ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
yes, always the same with thai bureaucracy
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Dave ******
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