Getting Married in Thailand
Many people contact TFL to ask how they can get married in Thailand. This page should answer most of your questions about getting married in Thailand. For ease, we have designed this page as a question and answer or FAQ format. Please read below for information about how to get married in Thailand.
Where Can I Get Married in Thailand?
You can get married at the local district office, which is also called an amphur in Thai language.
Can I Get Married in Thailand in 1 Day?
Whilst there are some articles on the internet that say you can, in our experience, it will take more than 1 day to prepare all the necessary documents. The actual marriage registration can be finished in a couple of hours once you have all the documents together.
I am a foreigner. Can I marry a Thai person in Thailand?
Yes, you can.
I am a foreigner. Can I marry another foreigner in Thailand?
Probably. If you are both from the same country, it makes the process easier. For example, if you are both American citizens, you can both get the necessary documents from the American Embassy in Bangkok or the US Consulate in Chiang Mai and then go to the local district office (amphur) to register the marriage. If the two people getting married are from different countries (such as the US and India), then you will need to check the requirements at each embassy. Some countries do not have embassies in Thailand (Jordan for example, whose embassy is in Malaysia), so please check first.
How Do I get Married in Thailand?
The 1st step to getting married in Thailand is to choose which district office you want to get married in. One of the more popular district offices in Bangkok is Bang Rak, due to its lovely title. However, you can get married at any district office that will accept you. Please note that in Thailand each office can set its own rules, so it is always best to check before you try to register your marriage there.
The 2nd step to getting married in Thailand is to get in touch with your embassy. Most of the district offices will need you to get a notarised copy of your passport. This can only be done by the embassy, and cannot be done by a notary public in Thailand. So, if you are a British citizen who wants to get married in Thailand, you will need to get in touch with the British Embassy in the AIA Building in Bangkok. If you are an American citizen who wants to get married in Thailand, then you should contact ACS at the embassy on Wireless Road in Bangkok or the consulate in Chiang Mai.
In addition, you will need to get an affidavit from your embassy that says you are single and eligible to get married. Whilst the embassy cannot confirm you are single, making a fraudulent statement is illegal, so it is best not to do so.
The 3rd possible step is to get certified translations of your documents done at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Many district offices will require a certified translation to be done by one of the MFA – approved translation shops. TFL is an approved translation service for documents, so if you need to get documents certified in Thailand, please contact TFL. In addition, if you have been married before (especially if you have been married in Thailand before) then it is a good idea to have the divorce documents prepared as well.
Finally, step 4 is to go back to the local district office and register your marriage.
What Should I Be Aware of Before Getting Married in Thailand?
TFL would like to remind you that all property gained from Day 1 of your marriage in Thailand is considered joint property, and could potentially be split 50 – 50 in the event that you get divorced.
Should I Get a Prenuptial Agreement Before Getting Married in Thailand?
If you have significant assets, then it is advised to prepare a prenuptial agreement in English and Thai languages, so that your assets are protected. If you do not do this, then you may lose a significant amount of your assets if you die or get divorced.
Should I Put the House Into My Thai Wife’s Name?
Whilst you may be in love now, that does not mean you need to make stupid decisions when it comes to your money. Many foreigners think that there is no choice other than to put the house and land into the name of the Thai wife. However, TFL can help you set up a holding company for all assets such as a house and land. You would have sole signing power over the asset belonging to this company, and this will protect your assets in case your relationship changes.
Why Should I Get Married in Thailand?
If you are a foreigner marrying a Thai citizen, getting married can help the relationship progress to its most serious level. This type of relationship will also be respected by the Thai family, which will hope the stability of the overall family unit. TFL advises you to get to know your potential spouse before you decide to get married in Thailand, due to the legal implications of marriage in Thailand.
I Still Have Questions about Getting Married in Thailand. Can TFL Help Me?
No problem. Please send us an email at info@thailandfamilylaw.com or contact us on our Contact TFL page of this website.
