Answered2 years ago
What documents do I need to marry my Thai girlfriend after a previous divorce in the UK?
Hi all I don't know if anyone on this group can advise me I tried to get married today in amphor office had all relevant paperwork including divorce certificate from a previous Thai marriage 12 years ago the registrar could not marry me and my Thai girlfriend because they want proof that I am not married in UK can anyone advise on what I have to do thank you ...
Answer summary
The user encountered difficulties marrying their Thai girlfriend due to the requirement of proving they are not married in the UK, despite having a divorce certificate from a marriage that ended 12 years ago. Comments suggest gathering a Certificate of No Impediment from the British Embassy, which states the individual is free to marry, along with an Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry. Users recommend ensuring all required documents are notarized and translated into Thai before proceeding to the amphur office for marriage. The overall process involves visits to the embassy, securing necessary approvals, and getting translations completed, which can be done relatively quickly with proper planning.
65 repliesnewest first
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David ********
I need to prove I was single (my Thai-wife in Canada died, and I was remarrying my 2nd Thai wife in Thailand)
If I recall correctly I need to get the death certificate from Canada and then a recent tax return showing my single status … I brought this to the Canadian embassy to get notarized by them, then I think I had to take all the documents to an official translation service to get all those documents and letter from the Canadian consulate translated and notarized by them … then I was able to get my new marriage certificate … then I handed all the documents over to my immigration agent and let them handle the rest.
This was around 2020 so I may have some steps confused, but I think this is essentially what you are looking at having to do.
If I recall correctly I need to get the death certificate from Canada and then a recent tax return showing my single status … I brought this to the Canadian embassy to get notarized by them, then I think I had to take all the documents to an official translation service to get all those documents and letter from the Canadian consulate translated and notarized by them … then I was able to get my new marriage certificate … then I handed all the documents over to my immigration agent and let them handle the rest.
This was around 2020 so I may have some steps confused, but I think this is essentially what you are looking at having to do.
David **********
This is a very standard requirement anywhere in the world. Very simple and easy.
Michael *******
You have to go to BKK with your decree absolute. Embassy. Affirmation to marry!
Then go back to the amphor! Best of luck.
Then go back to the amphor! Best of luck.
Graham ******
All of the steps are set out here and it can be done in a few days if the Amphur co-operates
********************************************************
Vinay ********
Very interesting. I didn't know this at all
Alan *********
It’s all bollocks they want people to come to there country but make as hard as possible and rip you of in the process.
Christopher *************
@Alan ********
It's called 'Due Diligence' something UK Authorities are failing to do.Alan *********
@Christopher ************
I definitely agree there
Andy **********
The UK embassy only does appointments on Tuesday and Thursdays. You have to be there in person to swear. Also, the MFA closes at 3pm. This is where an agency is handy, as they won't mess the translation up.
Mark **********
They want you to prove a negative. Trump University level logic.
Christopher *************
I got mine from British Consulate many years ago.
Jarek ************
Didn't learn from the first mistake eh? 😂😂😂
Kev **********
You need to get affidavit from embassy. You will need your divorce papers
Greg ***********
@Matt ********
you need an " Affirmation of Freedom to Marry" . . . . . check here: ********************************************************************************
%20British%20Embassy%20in%20Bangkok,its%20own%20is%20not%20sufficient.Steve *******
You'll need an 'affidavit to marry' from the British Embassy, then it needs translating into Thai and an approval stamp from the MFA.
Greg ***********
@Steve ******
it's called an "Affirmation of Freedom to Marry",Steve *******
@Greg **********
That's the oneSteve *******
@Greg **********
All done in a couple of hours from affirmation to MFA stamp.Steve *******
@Greg **********
No idea, I had to show my decree absolute but that was it.Greg ***********
@Steve ******
will the embassy contact the marriage registrars in the U.K. for information, before they hand over an "Affirmation of Freedom to Marry" ?Steve *******
@Greg **********
I got mine from the British Embassy in BangkokGreg ***********
@Steve ******
he first needs to get it from the marriage registrar in the U.K., and further legalized by the British Embassy Bangkok
John ********
Well, it's on the list of required documents. A divorce certificate from 12 years ago is not proof of currently being single.
Janthana ****************
Hi there, I would suggest contacting the British Embassy in Thailand to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment, which is a document that states you are free to marry. This should provide the necessary proof that you are not married in the UK. It's important to have all the required documentation in order to proceed with the marriage process in Thailand. Good luck and I hope this helps!
Deborah *******
So sorry the day went terribly for you and your fiancée. I hope you get everything sorted out quickly. Wish you well
Will ************
Go on the UK gov website, download the template for getting married abroad , fill in the statement, book an appointment at UK Embassy in Bangkok, pay the fee before going, take your wife to be with you , she needs her ID card for the Embassy . Sign in front of the officer when called forward ( this is a legally binding statement which if false you can be prosecuted for). After this get it translated into Thai . Book amphur and go and get married
Stuart ***********
@Will ***********
good explanation. He also needs to get an appointment at the Dept for Foreign Affairs and get them to certify the documents.Steve *******
@Stuart **********
The translators can deal with the MFA, it usually comes as a package. He'll also need his decree nisi if he's previously been married in the UK.Steve *******
@Stuart **********
Same day if you use the translation serviceStuart ***********
@Steve ******
true, but it still needs to be done and takes a couple of days.Will ************
@Stuart **********
good point. I started on the Monday and was married by the Friday lunchtime.Andy **********
@Stuart **********
MFA takes 3 working days. So appointment at embassy on a Tuesday, documents in with the MFA before closing time. Might get the rubber stamp end of Friday, if not Monday.Stuart ***********
@Will ***********
yes it takes a few days to do everything.
Dave ********
I downloaded a sworn affidavit of eligibility to marry, signed it, and had it officially translated by a thai translator. I don't recall the embassy being involved.
Cris ******
Not sure for the crumpet eaters. But as an American I had to go to my embassy to get a certified document saying I can.
John ********
@Cris *****
oh! a pancake cruncher 😂😂😂Phil ********
If you were married to a Thai before cant you do the same process again?
Jon ********
Go to your Embassy and get a notorized statement that you are divorced. I am Amerian and I had to do this as well.
Patrick ********
@Jon *******
exactlyPhil ********
What relevant paperwork did you have?
Did you go to Bangkok to get an Affidavit?
Thai law requires all foreigners who marry in Thailand, whether they are marrying other foreigners or Thai nationals, to first prepare a sworn Affidavit of Marriage
Did you go to Bangkok to get an Affidavit?
Thai law requires all foreigners who marry in Thailand, whether they are marrying other foreigners or Thai nationals, to first prepare a sworn Affidavit of Marriage
Peter **********
@Phil *******
Nonsense. We got married in Thailand. NoAffidavit required.I had an excerpt from my civil registration in Netherlands, in English language, legalised by the Thai embassy.
Then we went to the Dutch embassy in Thai to get a “Fit for marriage” statement.
We legalised / stamped all documents at MRT in Khlong Toei.
My best guess is that the opening poster didn’t have a “Fit for Marriage” statement from his embassy.
Damien ********
@Phil *******
I got married in Bangkok to a Thai. Never got or heard of this affidavit.Must be something new 🤔
Greg ***********
@Damien *******
you are correct. It is not an "affidavit". It is an "Affirmation of Freedon to Marry"Greg ***********
@Damien *******
HELLO Mister "cannot read". I wrote: "you have ALWAYS needed this, to get married in the U.K." . . . . . . . . . . . . you have always needed it for a marriage inside the U.K. That's what I wrote. You seem to be incapable to read. . . . For a marriage inside Thailand, the requirement was introduced like 15 years ago. Maybe it was 10 years ago, maybe it was 8 years ago, and not 15 years. Go get a life!Damien ********
@Greg **********
ALWAYS you write !!But then you write 15 years ago blah blah 😒
So not always ! DUH 🙄
I never got this affirmation
I wasn’t asked for it
WHEN ??? I got married in Bbk
👌
No more on this subject
Greg ***********
@Damien *******
you have ALWAYS needed this, to get married in the U.K. In Thailand, the Thai Amphoes started to ask for the "Affirmation of Freedom to Marry" around 15 years ago, after the U.K. embassy complained about the procedure of a legal marriage inside Thailand being inaccurate, because foreigners who were still legally married abroad didn't have to prove that they were divorced and single. The need for this official "affirmation" stopped this misuse permanentlyDamien ********
@Greg **********
ok . Never got it or heard of this Affirmation Wasn’t needed but things do change!?
Greg ***********
QUOTING "Siam Legal" : Preparation of the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry
Retype the affirmation including your details on one page in the same format as the attached sample.
There is a charge of 2,400 Baht per affirmation. This service is only available for British nationals.
Bring with you your passport, as proof of identity, and any evidence that any previous marriages have been dissolved/terminated. Copies will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Translation of the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry
Once the affirmation has been signed, it will need to be translated into Thai. Please note that Consular Section does not undertake the preparation or translation of documents.
Authentication and Translation of the Affirmation
All Thai Registrars will require authentication of the British Consular Official's signature and certification of the Thai translation.
Submission of the Documents to the Registrar
After the translation and legalization, the documents are then ready for submission to the registrar, who, if satisfied, will register the marriage and issue a Thai marriage certificate.
Important Reminders When Getting Married in Thailand
The British Embassy in Bangkok is not authorised to perform marriages.
Marriage in Thailand should be performed according to Thai law and any detailed questions on the procedure should be addressed to the appropriate Thai authorities.
A religious ceremony on its own is not sufficient.
The documentation to be produced is at the discretion of each individual Registrar. Most Registrars will be satisfied with an affirmation of freedom to marry.
Retype the affirmation including your details on one page in the same format as the attached sample.
There is a charge of 2,400 Baht per affirmation. This service is only available for British nationals.
Bring with you your passport, as proof of identity, and any evidence that any previous marriages have been dissolved/terminated. Copies will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Translation of the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry
Once the affirmation has been signed, it will need to be translated into Thai. Please note that Consular Section does not undertake the preparation or translation of documents.
Authentication and Translation of the Affirmation
All Thai Registrars will require authentication of the British Consular Official's signature and certification of the Thai translation.
Submission of the Documents to the Registrar
After the translation and legalization, the documents are then ready for submission to the registrar, who, if satisfied, will register the marriage and issue a Thai marriage certificate.
Important Reminders When Getting Married in Thailand
The British Embassy in Bangkok is not authorised to perform marriages.
Marriage in Thailand should be performed according to Thai law and any detailed questions on the procedure should be addressed to the appropriate Thai authorities.
A religious ceremony on its own is not sufficient.
The documentation to be produced is at the discretion of each individual Registrar. Most Registrars will be satisfied with an affirmation of freedom to marry.
Greg ***********
@Phil *******
you get no "affidavit". What he needs is called "affirmation of freedom to marry" and his embassy will issue it. However this needs to be pre-arranged with the marriage registrars in the U.K.Phil ********
@Greg **********
Thats it affirmation to marry. It was over 10 years ago when i got married so couldn't remember the full process.Greg ***********
@Phil *******
you have ALWAYS needed this, to get married in the U.K. In Thailand, the Thai Amphoes started to ask for the "Affirmation of Freedom to Marry" around 15 years ago, after the U.K. embassy complained about the procedure of a legal marriage inside Thailand being inaccurate, because foreigners who were still legally married abroad didn't have to prove that they were divorced and single. The need for this official "affirmation" stopped this misuse permanently
Greta *****
Get a certificate from your own country marriage deaths and births registry that you're not married. Simple
Del ******
@Greta ****
Embassy could do it !Greta *****
@Del *****
Even betterGreta *****
@Phil *******
Ok. But he needs a proof that he is not married in the UK. Read againPhil ********
@Greta ****
Your not even from the UK, so you know nothing about this and you have definitely not been married here before, you're a bot.Phil ********
@Greta ****
You read my other post. What relevant paperwork did you have?
Did you go to Bangkok to get an Affidavit?
Thai law requires all foreigners who marry in Thailand, whether they are marrying other foreigners or Thai nationals, to first prepare a sworn Affidavit of Marriage
Phil ********
@Greta ****
His divorce certificate was from a previous Thai marriage.
Giorgio ******
@Phil *******
you can divorce in thailande and get married some place elseGiorgio ******
@Phil *******
*****
5 you're just a keke . you pick up words in a hat or what ??????Phil ********
@Giorgio *****
Your the one on it.Giorgio ******
@Phil *******
how do you know he is on yaba ?Phil ********
@Giorgio *****
Thats what he's trying to do. Keep off the yaba.
Allan ********
Check the Embassy/Consulate website for details.
Del ******
@Allan *******
absolutelyActivity
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