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What steps do I need to take to translate and legalize my marriage certificate in the UK for my Non-O visa extension in Thailand?
NON-O VisaMarriage Certificate LegalizationVisa ExtensionThailand ImmigrationDocument TranslationExpat Advice
May 30, 2025
a year ago
Gary *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI have my Non-o visa and will be travelling in 2 months time.I will be applying for a 12 month extension on the grounds of being married to a Thai. We were married in the UK. I intend using my own 400,000bht and doing our own application.
I am trying to understand what I need to do in the UK before we travel to Thailand regarding what needs to be translated and legalised.I would be grateful of any advice on offer.
I am trying to understand what I need to do in the UK before we travel to Thailand regarding what needs to be translated and legalised.I would be grateful of any advice on offer.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user plans to apply for a 12-month extension on their Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai citizen and seeks advice on translating and legalizing the marriage certificate in the UK. Comments provide guidance on the document requirements, including legalizing the marriage certificate through the FCDO, obtaining an Apostille, translation by the Thai Embassy, and the necessity of bringing various documents to Thailand for the larger legal bureaucracies involved. Some users suggest switching to a retirement visa for less complexity.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- 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.
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Adam ******
The 'marriage' paperwork is not insane. It might take up a couple of hours of your time once a year. If you scan and save passport pages, house book, wife's id, marriage certs etc etc, then you just print them off again next year. Easy peasy.
Robert ********
If you really want to go the harder marriage way:
Make sure your marriage is accepted in Thailand. Go ask your Thai embassy, you may need to get some paper/stamp!
But I would choose the retirement way with 800k in bank. It’s way easier for you and the immigration.
Make sure your marriage is accepted in Thailand. Go ask your Thai embassy, you may need to get some paper/stamp!
But I would choose the retirement way with 800k in bank. It’s way easier for you and the immigration.
Bob **********
use your own 800k and get the retirement if your old enough far less hassle
David **********
You don't need a law firm
David **********
Do it all in bangkok only thing you will need from your embassy in bangkok is a translated stamped copy of your passport bring any previous marriage papers I.e. divorce certificates and do the rest in bangkok
Carey *********
Contact an immigration law firm in Bangkok,
Frank **********
Get your UK marraige certificate translated and certified by the Thai Embassy it will make things a little easier.
Jack ********
I would go for the retirement visa instead. Less hassle.
Paul *******
@Jack *******
I made more than that this month.Jack ********
@Paul ******
wow you’re a rockstar. Why again are you changing to a marriage extension? To ‘invest’. LOL.Paul *******
@Jack *******
why not?Nobody has given me any good reasons NOT to do the marriage visa.
Just "hassle" and "you can't afford 400K".
Robert ********
@Paul ******
Go your way. Some people like to learn the hard way instead of listening to others who have more experience.
Although I’m pretty sure you won’t do it or regret it half way.
Reply to
Robert ********
Reply
Paul *******
Jack ********
@Paul ******
you’re the one over 50 getting married and can’t afford the extra ฿400K.Reply to
Jack ********
Reply
Paul *******
@Jack *******
what “extra hassle” is there? I’m currently on a retirement visa but planning on getting married before my next renewal.
Bob **********
@Paul ******
the paperwork is insane plus in home interview photosPaul *******
Bob **********
@Paul ******
your already going through it translations you’ll need photos of you and her in front of and some inside your home a home interview ect you’ve got the retirement extension just keep it do the monthly transfersRobert ********
@Bob *********
Forget it. He has some reason to not accept others well formulated arguments, and he won’t share that reason. Wanting to “invest” 400k says it all as far as I’m concerned.
Jack ********
@Bob *********
he can’t afford it. Wants to ‘invest’ the money in sinsod.Paul *******
@Bob *********
I understand regarding the home interview and a few photographs.But, what's the "insane paperwork" that you're referring to?
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Jack ********
@Paul ******
did you read the opening post? All those documents. Also home visits from immigration etc. You can be married and stay on the retirement visaPaul *******
@Jack *******
I'm a British and American citizen.I went to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok a couple of weeks ago. I have my certified copy of Marriage Affidavit and passport. I'm now getting the affidavit translated for 500 baht.
What additional hassle?
A visit from immigration?
We have zero problem with a visit, why would we?
Jack ********
@Paul ******
why change? Can’t afford the 800K? Sounds like you have bigger issuesPaul *******
@Jack *******
why would you assume that I can't afford the 800K?If I'm getting married why wouldn't I explore the marriage visa?
Jack ********
@Paul ******
explore? You just said you’re doing it? Can’t see one good reason if you’re already on a retirement except being skint and can’t afford the extra ฿400K. Seems to be the case. Probably using the money for sinsod. lol
Paul *******
@Jack *******
I'm far from skint. Why wouldn't I just invest the "spare" 400,000 baht instead?
Yes, I like "free money", that doesn't mean that I'm broke.
Jack ********
@Paul ******
฿400K is peanuts. I spend that on a good weekend in Phuket. It’s less than £10KPaul *******
@Jack *******
you must have a degree in advanced mathematics.But, not that smart if you're spending 400,000 in a weekend in Phuket.
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Graham ******
Document Legalisation at RTE London
Once you have the original back from FCDO with its attached certified Apostille, they need :
1. The original document(s) to be legalised, certified by FCDO (UK)
2. A copy of every single page including an apostille page from FCDO (UK)
3. Legalisation application form and a copy of applicant's passport for reference (* * Non-Thai can omit this requirement)
4. A fee of £10per documentis required (can be paid by debit card/contactless or cash) ed to be translated. RTE London have a list of "approved" translators in UK on their website
Applications for document legalisation should be submitted to The Consular Section, Royal Thai Embassy, 29 Queen's Gate (Basement) , London SW7 5JB
Get your document legalised (UK government) -
Apply for legalisation -
RTE London document translation and legalisation -
1. IN THE UK: Marriage certificate legalised by the FCDO in Milton Keynes
2. IN THE UK Marriage Certificate AND the Apostille from the FCDO Translated
3. IN THE UK: Marriage Certificate AND the Apostille from the FCDO AND their translations verified by the Thai Embassy in London
4. IN THAILAND: All the above (ie all 4 documents & their translations, making 8 in total) Legalised by MFA in Bangkok
Once you have the original back from FCDO with its attached certified Apostille, they need :
1. The original document(s) to be legalised, certified by FCDO (UK)
2. A copy of every single page including an apostille page from FCDO (UK)
3. Legalisation application form and a copy of applicant's passport for reference (* * Non-Thai can omit this requirement)
4. A fee of £10per documentis required (can be paid by debit card/contactless or cash) ed to be translated. RTE London have a list of "approved" translators in UK on their website
Applications for document legalisation should be submitted to The Consular Section, Royal Thai Embassy, 29 Queen's Gate (Basement) , London SW7 5JB
Get your document legalised (UK government) -
*****************************************
Apply for legalisation -
****************************************************************
RTE London document translation and legalisation -
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
*****
-legalisation?menu=5d6636ce15e39c3bd*****
44&fbclid=IwY2xjawHB6EFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcGehPfMstezUMge69FCtzPl4sCgoJM_9Vnh21Hyb51WQo6_gw9LAj7d8g_aem_tXfbDqk-VZE58rfrVotPZg1. IN THE UK: Marriage certificate legalised by the FCDO in Milton Keynes
2. IN THE UK Marriage Certificate AND the Apostille from the FCDO Translated
3. IN THE UK: Marriage Certificate AND the Apostille from the FCDO AND their translations verified by the Thai Embassy in London
4. IN THAILAND: All the above (ie all 4 documents & their translations, making 8 in total) Legalised by MFA in Bangkok
Reply to
Graham ******
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