What documents do I need to get married to a Thai lady in Bangkok?

Sep 27, 2024
3 months ago
Anru ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello

Can someone help me with the correct info please

What documents do I need to take with me from London to get married to a thai lady in Bangkok in January

I’m divorced in England and have the original paperwork for that

So what paperwork do I need and what is the procedure when I get over there

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To marry a Thai lady in Bangkok, a UK citizen needs to gather specific documentation including: the original Decree Absolute (divorce proof), birth certificate, passport, and a Freedom to Marry certificate from the British Embassy in Bangkok. The process includes translating documents into Thai, which can be facilitated through the embassy or an agent. It's advisable to book embassy appointments well in advance, as the marriage registration process can take a few days depending on the local district office's availability. Many expats recommend using an agent to streamline the procedures and paperwork.
Stephen ******
I went through an agent it was 19 thousand bart but believe me it was worth. I had to show divorce papers at British consalate and get it checked out then agent was very good they did all paperwork I just had to sign it they drove me from pataya to Bangkok twice to thai embassy then I was married it took 4 hours. I seen so may men getting frustrated because didn't do this didn't do that for 500 pound Stirling it was well worth it it was grief free just my appinion
Kenneth *******
I just wanted to let you know that there's no need to ever marry, especially to a Thai.
Anru ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I found my soulmate

Not all bad stories
Chris *********************
@Kenneth ******
why especially to a thai ,
Tony *******
Suitcases full o £50 pound notes..
Chris *********************
@Tony ******
another holiday maker making silly coments
Tony *******
No money no honey
Tony *******
The truth hurts
Tony *******
Really
Paul *************
I did this in February this year you have to make sure you have three books an appointment at the British Embassy in Bangkok you will need your divorce papers to prove that you are eligible to marry once the embassy gave me the certificate that I paid I think about £50 for you then had to have it translated into Thai again I had to pay an agent to do this two days later we went to what I can only a call a government building type town hall waited a few hours with all the paperwork eventually they came out with a red book with the papers they had a sign and inside was the stamped married licence other in fact it was a duplicate copy on the other side of the book again in Thai? I have to pay to get one copied translated and again rubber stamped into an English version The sad side to this the government has done this U-turn It was 18k He had to be earning a year to bring your new wife to the UK when we were getting married The same week it was announced It was going up to 38,000 which I'm not on It has been reduced to 29k combined I'm not putting you off I'm still trying to find out what happens next year When you come to renew the visa if you can get it, to bring her to the UK The hidden costs to maintain and keep a here of course there's rumours now if you want to retire in Thailand although you would have been taxed on your pension in the UK they are talking of taxing you a second time in Thailand not been confirmed but more than likely people are saying make it almost impossible to retire without having a great pension otherwise you are losing a lot of money I wish you good luck with it 🙏🏽
Anru ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ************
what’s the quickest easiest and safest way to send money to Thailand

Found an agent that can help to make it easier and a friend used them a while ago
Paul *************
@Anru *******
I used to do that zoom by PayPal but the cheapest way I do it I got one of those pay as you go Visa cards you can top it up the Monzo it's free which I gave to my wife so I can send the money free transfer I gave her a video recording giving permission to use it in case she ever got stopped No transfer fees no exchange rates works a lot easier
Anru ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ************
thanks for the advice

So if I have all the correct paperwork and the wife we can get this done in 2 or 3 days

She is staying there after the marriage

No plan to come to England

I’m retiring there in a year and a half

So not applying for any visa yet

Just want the marriage done

Can we do it ourselves or do you recommend an agent
Paul *************
@Anru *******
yes you can do it online I made the mistake or should I say my wife made a mistake I thought she'd arranged it all we went to the embassy to discover she hadn't pre booked The appointment so it delayed it by 2 weeks for the next window slot I simply took my passport my divorce papers on the day even though they had you upload it in the online application you must I repeat you must take the originals they did not accept my copy I had to go back the next day which I found crazy when they already seen it once that's when I was in there doing the online application with the gentleman they need to see all your wives information as well to be honest it was a bit crazy we waited downstairs we literally went upstairs shown them my paperwork 10 minutes later I was asked to pay the fee came back down to give it to the agent who was translating it I didn't even see the certificate because when you doing the marriage licence I was told they keep it on the file so I left it paid £50 out for nothing lol
Anru ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ************
how long in advance can I book the embassy appointment
Paul *************
@Anru *******
I'm not sure on that but I know for a fact the minimum was 14 days before they had a window slot for me I suppose it depends on the time of year if you just Google it you'll find a link to the government page
Kevin ******
You only need one document that says DON'T GET MARRIED LOL
Stephen ******
Stephen ******
@Kevin *****
didn't I now that was coming lol
Mel ********
Following
Clive ********
I’ve done this, just bear in mind the Thais love there paper work, so be prepared to wait, a long time 🕰️.
Ken *******
I used an agent it wasn't expensive and they did all the paperwork for me in Bangkok (except the British Embassy bit) took us to the office for marriage supplied the witnessess they had the marriage certificate translated into english and delivered it to the hotel we were staying at.
Tai **********
@Ken ******
which agent?
Scott **********
Decree absolute original,passport.

You need a freedom to marry cert from British embassy in Bangkok.

Then you need to have it all translated into thia, this will be explained to you in embassy and they give you a piece of paper to show steps cost about 4000bht to get it translated and stamped .

Then you take all this to your local district office and they will do marriage cert.

Hope this helps as I did this last month in chaing mai .

The British embassy in Bangkok is great and very help full you book your appointment online very easy. Hope this helps
Anru ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Scott *********
thanks mate

Much appreciate your advice

How many days does this take

Is it easy to book the embassy appointments

How long in advance do I need to do this
Graham ******
All of the requirements and steps are laid out here (it takes a few days if your Amphur is not booked up)
********************************************************
John **********
You'll also need a freedom to marry certificate from the embassy in bangkok
Terry **********
Decree absolute and birth cert
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