Will a marriage certificate without ID be accepted for a visa extension in Thailand, and do both partners need to be present for the renewal?

My wife and I were married in the US nearly 25 years ago but never registered it in Thailand. We're now going through that process as we're preparing to move (retire) to Thailand. We had to get our US marriage document certified by the US State Department for international use then send it to the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles to certify it for use in Thailand. The document can then be registered in Thailand. The process may be similar for you in Australia.

@Jannie *******

, hi from a fellow South African.

1. Phone the Thai embassy in Pretoria, I found them very, very helpful. I am sure they can assist you with advice as to how to get the marriage certificate re-issued with the Thai ID number. And I would absolutely recommend you get this done while in SA.

2. On the Thai side, things are getting very strict. Thai immigration is asking for more documents than they ever have (eg. I had to provide my matric certificate from 35 years ago, even though I've lived in Thailand for 20 plus years). I would say this is especially so for those of us from Africa. I have had to provide many more documents than I ever had to before.

3. It took 3 months for me to get the required certificate in point 2 from SA. And the Thai immigration officers had zero empathy for delays due to Covid...

4. I strongly suggest you get every single document that may possibly be needed certified while you are still in South Africa. DO NOT come to Thailand on a Tourist visa and hope a transition will be easy. It has never been easy for those of us from Africa, and its much harder now than it was before. (I know getting things sorted out seems like a big hassle in South Africa, but trust me, its MUCH more of a hassle trying to get things done when you are in Thailand). Sort out everything in South Africa before you come here.

5. I understand that other posters are trying to help, but there is a huge difference between being from "Africa" and being from the USA when it comes to Thai immigration.

* I'm going to mention again, the staff at the Thai embassy in Pretoria are fantastic humans. Contact them, and follow what they say. All the best

If the Thai Embassy in South Africa will issue you the Non O visa as married to Thai then that will get you 90 days stamp on arrival into Thailand.

During that time you will need to go to your local Thai Immigration office and ask for their list of requirements for the one year extension of stay based on marriage to Thai.

Your Thai wife will need to be with you when you apply for the one year extension of stay as married to Thai.

And Thai immigration will visit you and your wife at your Thailand home address as well as interview neighbors to verify the marriage relationship.

And the 400,000 Thai baht must be placed in a Thai bank account in your name only to qualify for the one year extension of stay as married to Thai.

You will need to meet the requirements for entry into Thailand including the CoE or Thailand Pass per instructions from your Thai Embassy.