Why was my fee from the British Embassy refunded after getting married in Thailand?

Mar 18, 2024
8 months ago
Paul *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I recently got married but to get married in Thailand I had to show I was eligible to marry had to go to the British Embassy and do an online application showing my divorce papers from many years ago they charged me £75 this was on the 29th of January I got married on the 2nd of February but early hours of last night my credit card was credited with the £75 back it just says government legislation services an idea why they gave it me back I said I had the paper off them I also paid to have it translated to be able to get married but it puzzles me to know why they sent me the money back
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user received a £75 refund from the British Embassy after obtaining the necessary documents to get married in Thailand. Despite successfully completing the marriage process, they are puzzled by the refund. Comments suggest that the fee might have been incorrectly charged or that it could simply be a benevolent gesture from the embassy. Most responses encourage the user to accept the refund cheerfully and focus on enjoying their marriage.
Loretta *******
Just accept and be grateful....you are an exception...getting money back ☺️
Edward ********
I had to do the same thing too but I had lost or shredded my divorce papers. I had to file an affidavit of who I was married to and when we divorced. No refund though
Floris ***************
So????!!!!!!
Andy ******
It was £50 in 2021 when I did my one ,looks like they charged you wrong so gave you it all back
Michael *******
Cant you just show your decree absolute ?? For proof of divorce?
Bill ********
You can send the unwanted bahts to a account I set up just for wayward farangs.
Brett *********
Wedding present 🎁
Giorgio ******
why ask the people here . ask the people directly concermed
Bruce ***********
@Giorgio *****
another useless comment
Giorgio ******
@Bruce **********
yours is much more useful.

stupid questions get useless comments.
Bruce ***********
@Giorgio *****
forums need to rid people like yourself just hater's
Tobben ********
Maybe they felt sorry for you ?
Michael *********
I got married last week, having paid the same fees to the embassy. Now hoping I get the same result! 🤣🤣
Nongnuch ********
call yerself lucky, mate 😆 you're married and got the fees reimbursed 😄
Have *******
Your marriage is done, you already got what you needed and a refund on your money. Why would you question it? Just enjoy being married and spend it on a nice meal and some drinks with your wife
Andy **********
Did you use an agent at all?
Daniel *****
Amazing Thailand
Kevin ********
Dont look a gift horse in the mouth.555
Avril *******
If you got the document don't worry about it
Chris ******
Probably know you gonna need it 🤣
Paul ********
Drinks on you 🤣
Steve *******
Seems like a question to ask in a Britain specific group, but I hope you find your answers.
Paul *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
the trouble was Steve it was the British embassy in Bangkok, it was taken originally in Thai, but maybe they were right the person was correct when they said may have took the wrong price and refunded it all not just the part, because I've seen it say it's supposed to been £50, we'll have to wait & see if my wife gets the letter at her house lol
Frederick *********
Steve *******
@Paul ************
I hope it's nothing serious. Free money is always fun
Patricia **********
Just accept it love
Bart **************
The fee seems a little excessive to me. Maybe it was the wrong amount, and instead of refunding the difference, they give you back the entire fee? Don't know anything else really.
Phil ******
@Bart *************
the fee is correct.

"Affirmation for the purpose of marriage under Thai law

You need to make an affirmation of marital status in order to get married in Thailand.

This service is available by booking an appointment to attend the British embassy in Bangkok. It costs £50.

Prior to attending an appointment, you need to submit documents online which are checked by consular staff at the embassy.

See getting married abroad to check what documents you must provide and to make an affirmation application.

Same sex marriages/civil partnerships

Same sex marriage is not recognised in Thailand. Therefore, we cannot process documentation for a same sex marriage, even if the marriage is proposed to take place in a third country.

Certified copy of a British passport

This service is available by post or by booking an appointment to attend the British Embassy Bangkok. It costs £25.

You need to submit a valid and original British passport to obtain this service. We cannot accept copies or scans."
Paul *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
thanks for the info Phil however not sure if you work there my question was I did attend we did all the paperwork and the lady took payment Which was £75 what I was asking was why just a month and a half later have you given me it all back ?
Phil ******
@Paul ************
i don't work there but helped my Scottish friend Alister go through the whole procedure as he was unsure. Did you upload all your documents in preparation for your NO Impediment to Marry ceremony at the embassy? If you didn't they refund the money.

Otherwise if you got this and a notarised copy of your passport then ask the embassy.
Paul *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
as I said we did it online 14 days later I went into the embassy with the originals showing them them and then they gave us the certificate and she charged my bank card for today they gave me all the money back the certificate was translated into Thai and this was used to purchase the married licence which was in Thai a week or so later I was emailed the translation version in English maybe it was just my lucky day
Edward ********
@Paul ************
They probably think the papers are fake and you are still married. They might have to annul this new one. I kid, I kid. Just think of it as good luck. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ☘️
Phil ******
@Paul ************
yes I did read. Its time to ask 5he embassy or just forget about this error
Paul *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
ok well yes that's one solution I mean to be honest I have to give it to a person to do the translation never got it back and the translated thing was what was used for the licence but I suppose that is a an idea possibility why I got it back lol
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