What is the turnaround time for obtaining the "Affirmation of Freedom to Marry" certificate from the Canadian Embassy in Thailand?

Mar 13, 2021
4 years ago
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
If there are any Canadians in the group can you tell me what the turnaround time is to get the "Affirmation of Freedom to Marry" certificate from the Canadian Embassy? ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Canadians looking to obtain the "Affirmation of Freedom to Marry" certificate from the Canadian Embassy can expect a relatively quick process once they secure an appointment. Comments indicate that the longest wait is usually for the embassy appointment, which can take several weeks. After the appointment, the notarization takes about an hour, followed by a requirement for a certified translation into Thai, which the embassy can assist with. The translated document must be submitted to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs for certification, which takes about 3-4 working days. Once all paperwork is complete, couples can proceed to a district office (Amphur) to obtain their marriage license.
Tod *********
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Tod *********
seems pretty clearly spelled out on that link there ;) I mean even a hoser should be able to work their way thru the process :P
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Yeah, I printed that out months ago dude.
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anyone else know about the requirement for my fiancรฉ's "village chief" to accompany us to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
David *******
Did Thailand institute Prima Nocta ๐Ÿคฃ
George ********
@Gregory ********
you misread my reply. The foreign ministry doesn't marry you. They simply certify the affermation.
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@George *******
I didn't misread anything. I already knew that. It's this "village chief" thing that threw me.
David *******
No need brother
George ********
It took about an hour at the embassy and then needs to be translated to Thai by an

" authorized " translator. The Canadian Embassy will give you a list. It then needs to go to the Thai foreign ministry and be stamped. The translator can do that for you. Turnaround at the Thai ministry is 3 or 4 working days. With it stamped you are ready to go to the Amphur and get married. That will involve bringing a village chief to confirm you are in a real relationship. You are still in quarantine? Love at first sight or you are an amazing catch.
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Kinda odd for two people with professional jobs both over age 50...
George ********
@Gregory ********
just giving you a heads up my friend. Odd the hoops I had to go through to obtain a bank account solely in my name at a branch where my joint account had deposits from me only. Or the time I lost my ATM card to the joint account and needed my wife's permission to obtain a new one. I asked if she needed my permission to obtain a new one and was met with an incredulous stare.
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@George *******
Okay, thanks! I do like to be prepared for all possible eventualities.
George ********
@Gregory ********
"If you are marrying a Thai national, the easiest place is most likely going to be the district office in your partner's home town. This is because the community vibe outside of the big cities usually means one of your partner's family, distant family or friends works at or knows someone at the amphur, which just makes for an easier ride."
George ********
@Gregory ********
you know rules here are open to interpretation. The only thing consistent is inconsistency and clusterf@cks.
Michael ********
@Gregory ********
doesnt apply to you lol.
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
Hoping you're right! I doubt she even knows who her "village chief" is!
Michael ********
@Gregory ********
more i think for buttfluck nowhere villages, maybe wife is of dubvious age and the village chief is the pu yai ban who does sign certain documents, he just had to verify i was living where i live as part of the process to get a yellow house registration document
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
Okay, that makes more sense. But for two people both over 50, and she has lived in Bangkok for 30+ years, I'm hoping we'll be fine.
Michael ********
@Gregory ********
yes no problem, we got married in Bangkok wasnt even in our district, i had to rush as going back to work and embassy appointment took ages. (We had done buddhist ceremony before)

A company called express translations near the old british embassy sorted it out in couple of hours
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Are you pulling my leg like the Thai "family buffalo is sick" scam? ๐Ÿ˜…
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The only part I hadn't heard about was "village chief" -- what?? ๐Ÿ˜ฎ
George ********
@Gregory ********
The local government will want to make sure you are really in a relationship, it prevents women being trafficked. Your wife's village headman and likely your in-laws will be questioned. Then 25 baht and you get legally married. The village wedding is not recognized for visa purposes.
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@George *******
As in, her "village" of Bangkok? ๐Ÿค”
George ********
@Gregory ********
get her to check with her local authority, you know each location interprets rules their own way. Our Amphoe stated no one could marry a foreigner today, we went to the adjoining Amphoe and we're treated very well including refusal of a gratuity.
Gordon ********
Yup same for Canada. If divorced u need a copy of decree. If single I guess just swear. The embassy web site is quick to respond for info and appointment.
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gordon *******
Swear AT them or TO them? ๐Ÿ˜†
Gordon ********
@Gregory ********
No need to swear. You will meet miss โ€œJoyโ€ she is a pleasure and will direct you to a translation service. Tell her Khun Gordon from Udon sent you.
Michael ********
Same as above at British embassy the longest part was getting the actual appointment at embassy, that took six weeks
David *******
Not sure if the same but i just did mine at the US embassy. The longest part was getting the appointment for them to take 5 mins to notarize my signature. The Canadian Embassy may be more service friendly. Then you have to have a translation service provide a certified translation. They will also go to the Thai MFA and get the required MFA certification. That takes about 3-4 days to get that paperwork. Then you are all set to go get your Thai marriage license at any district office. I just went through it. Good luck!
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Most Canadian government offices are about as "service-friendly" as the DMV... ๐Ÿ™„
David *******
@Gregory ********
btw, the embassy asked if i wanted an official certification of my passport for an addl $50. They said some districts require it. I rolled the dice with my regular passport. Our district never even asked about it.
Michael ********
@David ******
i did official certification and needed it. Also just did my yellow book registration and was able to use same copy.
David *******
@Michael *******
good to know cause i want to get my yellow book
Michael ********
@David ******
Get Pink ID at same time same office (amphur) and same paperwork
David *******
@Michael *******
rgr, tks brother
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
Thx for the tip!!
David *******
I had to book my appt about a month in advance cause apparently they only take about 10 ppl/day. That was all that took any time
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
Thanks brother! Hoping the CDN Embassy is as efficient.
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