What steps should I take to get marriage documents translated and certified in Thailand?

Oct 2, 2024
a month ago
Lee *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
hi hope someone can help me and my thai partner looking to get married in future and looking how to get the translation document and where or how to get the certificate sorted after done the affidavit thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat seeks guidance on getting married to a Thai partner, specifically on obtaining translation documents and the necessary certificates after completing an affidavit. The discussion includes recommendations for translation services, experiences with legal agents, and insights into the paperwork process. Many respondents suggest using agents to ease the process, while others recommend handling it directly through local government offices. The importance of accurate translation and timely certification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is emphasized. Additional advice includes considerations for prenuptial agreements and managing financial disclosures.
Thomas ******
It’s complicated to marry ladyboys
Robert ********
Your embassy should have a list of accepted translation offices on their website, plus a list of what to do in your language and in Thai.

Took us 3 days in Bangkok without any crazy extra costs of angencies - including prenup at Siam-legal (you sure want one and it must be before marriage!!).

Get the list, get the docs mentioned in the list.

Prepare the prenup via mail.

Took us about 2 weeks (switzerland is fast, germany would be about 3 months).

Choose the translation service you like. They will also do the run to the ministry for small money.

Be very early in Bangrak, they allow limited number of people!
Mcgow ********
It's easy.afyer you have sworn the affidavit at embassy. I went up to Chiang Mai and paid about 100 pounds to a Australian guy with an agency. . He got it sorted in about 5 days. Translated and ministry of foreign affairs approved. Make an appointment at the local registry office. Provide the documents and hey presto. Not as bad as some people make out online
Michael *******
Who she getting married to ? 🙂
Coffee ************
Why use an agent ?

Your Thai partner should ask at the local office for advice with paperwork , there is also a translation service in almost all areas to help .

Just go to your local goverment office , ask for marriage certificate marriage license office and they give you all the info …. No need to spend big money on agencies to do this for you …. It an easy process , but may take time depending on where you want to register your marriage.

Persionally I registered our marrage in Ratchaburi district office , then I went to bangkok office to book day for certification and to translate all my papers from English to Thai marrage office . Payed about 1500 Thai baht for all paperwork .

Also there is a fee for every stamp on paperwork which this was extra payment . Could been 200 Thai baht per stamp .

Whole process took me 2 months

From organising paperwork on my end , then translation to Thai and r local government authority paperwork .

Take your time ……

Go to local government office and ask marriage office there for exact paperwork they need .

Don’t bother with agents for marrage they take your money for little work .
Michael ***********
I use Bangkok Translation service in Chiang Mai they can do everything
Ganesan ***********
Just ask those officers handling your case. They know all of em. Compare prices
Wayne ******
Get an agent, it saves u so much running around, and worth every cent
Min **********
I provide translation services and MFA certification.
SJ *******
Mate you need very good financial advice from a professional in your own country.

Under no circumstance tell your ‘spouse’ or the Thai authorities about your true financial position.

You need to move over the minimum required for the visa. The rest stays at home use a credit card issued at home and pay it off from from home via the internet so there is no trace of your wealth in Tland.

People with lots of wealth in Thailand and a wife have been known to ‘commit suicide’.
Ulrich ******
Don’t forget to do prenup…
Gino *******
Bruce *******
@Ulrich *****
if he has any thing
Ulrich ******
@Bruce ******
before or after? 🤣
Bruce *******
Andy **********
@Ulrich *****
you advise that for all marriages, anywhere in the world. I'd advise Thai brides to make sure that the wills are sorted out to stop money grubbing siblings of their husband leaving them destitute. I have known that.
Ulrich ******
@Andy *********
Unfortunately, we are living in a world of where we have to protect ourselves in every direction and expect the unexpected…
Andy **********
@Ulrich *****
You're giving out unwanted "legal" advice (which ain't legal as you are no lawyer).
Robin *********
@Andy *********
Expressing one’s opinion on Facebook is not legal advice and shouldn’t be construed as legal advice.

A retained attorney’s advice is a legal advice, can be and will be considered as a legal advice/opinion !!!!!
Mark ********
Ulrich ******
@Andy *********
I speak my mind whenever I want to, so it’s your personal problem and you don’t have to like it, also you are not my mother…

So you can kiss my A…
Andy **********
Use an agent to.the running around. Once you have done the UK affirmation ceremony, it's pretty tight to get every translated, notarised and delivered to the MFA before 3pm when they close. 3 working days for them to rubber stamp provided they are happy with how your name is translated. Legally, in the UK, you do not need a translation. Agency will.charge about 4000 for a legal translated copy. I used Visa for You, chatchai penanarm to sort it out, and a UK visa for my wife who has a problematic passport history.
Vince *********
Most town notes can do that
Mdl *****
"There may be trouble ahead" 🎵🎵🎵 Get a very good legal professional
Ohad *******
Take a lawyer!
@Brian ********
John ****
Outside most embassy’s there are touts that do it all for you ! Just drive the price down
Stuart ***********
There are people that will do the translation service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before you submit your documents to them. You need an appointment at the Ministry to get your documents certified.

I don't normally recommend agents, but I wish we had used one for the marriage process as it's a lot of running around and arranging things. We were offered the service and the cost was not ridiculous, I wished after I had used them as it would have reduced our trips to Bkk. Things like arranging interpreters and witnesses was a pain. Good luck.
Galenus ******
@Stuart **********
correct. That's the proper way? I did it too.
Marianne ********
@Stuart **********
When I went there, they were READY to offer me some translation-services. Even offered to help me setup an appointment, since I did not have one.

Weren't too expensive either, honestly.
Stuart ***********
@Marianne *******
I think you are agreeing with me?
Marianne ********
@Stuart **********
Yes. Confirming that the translators are indeed there, waiting for people to offer translation-services too.
Michael ********
We used express translations near Central Embassy they were very helpful and made sure got name translated correct as this can affect any future documentations.

Search for them on google maps for link
Jonathin *******
@Michael *******
Yes, make sure the spelling of the names are exactly the same as any other previous documents.
Michael ********
@Jonathin ******
Most people the Marriage is usually the first official document with there name translated into Thai thats the time to get it right
Graham ***********
Alpha legal we have just done ours with them brilliant service they are in Bangkok

Good luck
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