Based on my OH's experience, check with your local IO. Ours (Phetchaburi) advises that my OH needs both or they could fine him but they won't.

Joe D Greene Pretty sure a divorce at a Thai Consulate/Emb is not accepted by the UK govt. Is a marriage there valid then? Although you think you will never go back to the UK etc, you might need to one day. At least some of us still rec income from the UK, what will happen to inheritance if there is no will?

It is better to be cautious. Do it right and do it once.

Bangrak is the most friendly registrar in BKK. The OP does not need to get married at Lak Si but ANYWHERE in BKK.

ok I misread your post. Sorry. Requirements really vary. Usually certification of your passport plus Thai translation and legalisation by Dept of Consular Affairs, Affirmation of Marital Status, passport, your lady's ID card and blue book (ทะเบียนบ้าน) if there was a divorce or death of previous spouse then the list could get bigger.

Anyhow you have a month to get this done. Ring Laksi and best of luck!

then it is not really a big problem. Count yourself lucky. Some places ask for loads more ie if you were divorced, they insisted on Decree Absolute plus Thai translation and legalisation.

I heard that Laksi is one of the easiest ones.

The best registrars to try are Bangrak which only accepts 8 couples daily (you must turn up at 5-6AM to be among the lucky couples) and Ratburana as some of Bangrak officers move there.

Sorry this is long but bear with me as you might find my info useful.

There are some registrars who do not require income details and proof. You/your Thai lady need to call some to find out. I heard that a lot of them in Bkk need it. To my knowledge, only the income rec'd stated on the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry is required.

My OH went to the Brit Emb y'day to obtain an Affirmation of Marital Status, we were told that any AoMS with income figure is not accepted. You have to stick to the format which no longer incl your income. I cannot think of any other proof that will not require FCO, Thai Emb in London and the Dept of Consular Affairs to certify. Believe me this is the correct steps to legalise/use your UK docs in Thailand, although some registrars do skip the last part making life so much easier and the process cheaper and quicker.

cont...

tom elliots

@Tod ********

I doubt that you will get the rose-border cert following a marriage outside Thailand. It is the update of the Thai spouse's marital status that is the important bit.

IF you need to officially register your marriage in Thailand, this is definitely the correct steps based on my experience and advice saught from the national hotline:

I also assume you are Thai or are married to a Thai.

You need to seek advice from the Thai embassy in your other country (you only said somewhere in the EU or Europe). This is because your marriage cert from that country MAY need to be certified by the govt of that country first. Additionally, the same Thai embassy MAY also need to certify that very same document. Once your paperwork is in Thailand, calling your local registrar office for advice is very important as you will likely need to have it translated into Thai. The Thai translation and the Embassy's certification then need to be legalised by the Dept of Consular Affairs at Chaengwattana.

For example, in the UK:-

You need to get your UK certified by FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Office). Then send everything you rec back from FCO to the Thai Embassy in London so they certify it. Once in Thailand you then have the document rec'd from the Thai Embassy translated and legalised by the Dept. of Consular Affairs.

Note: Very few registrar offices might not require the Dept of Consular Affairs' legalisation hence contacting them is important but you still need to take the previous steps.

Last but not least, it MIGHT be cheaper/less time-consuming to get a Thai marriage cert done instead. Again check with your local Amphor as to what documents are needed such as certification of your foreign spouses's passport, two witnesses etc.

Best of luck.

Just in case this might help you.

I had this problem when I tried to submit a non O-A visa application for my fiance. I read someone's comment here from a non-related post and got the answer---I incorrectly chose 'self-employed' instead of 'retired' as it was a retirement visa.

Congrats!