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What does registering a marriage in Thailand entail?
Registering a marriage in Thailand is a fairly simple
process. Foreigners who wish to marry in Thailand must
first obtain clearance from their respective embassies
(Do be aware that different embassies have different procedures
for providing this clearance). The clearance will allow
a foreigner to get hold of an affidavit which states personal
information of the foreigner such as his name, citizenship
and legal freedom to marry. This affidavit will have to
be translated into Thai and legalized pursuant to Thai
law. When all the documents are in place and all other
requirements are met, the administrative marriage may
then be performed at the Thai district offices known as
‘amphur’ or ‘khet’.
Is
Thailand a good choice for an individual who wish to register
his/her marriage with a foreign spouse?
The Thai legal system provides for foreigners to marry
either Thais or other foreign nationals provided that
requirements are met. A marriage in Thailand is a legal
marriage pursuant to Thai law and is generally recognized
throughout the world. For individuals with transnational
issues whereby one or both spouses are from different
countries, Thailand offers a very convenient location
to register a marriage. Besides the convenience, many
couples also choose to make the marriage more elaborate
by holding their wedding reception at world-class resorts
in Thailand following the legal administrative marriage.
What
are the other advantages to marry in Thailand?
For persons interested in prenuptial agreements, Thailand’s
legal system is generally “friendlier” towards
prenuptial agreements than would other western countries.
(see FAQ
on prenuptial agreement)
How
long does it take to register a marriage in Thailand?
Including the time involved in procuring affidavits from
an embassy, having those documents translated and legalized,
and having the marriage performed at a local amphur,
the process can be completed in as short as 3 - 4 days.
The process may be prolonged if there are complications
arising from embassies having different requirements or
requesting back-up paperwork.
Is
it necessary to hire a law firm for my marriage registration?
Retaining the services of an attorney to supervise the marriage
would be useful. A law office can assist you with the
procurement, translation and legalization of official
documents from the embassy. The likelihood of delays and
complications can be reduced if the law firm you hire
is familiar with the formalities of a Thai marriage, has
access to qualified translators, and understands the legalization
process in Thailand. For a foreign national with a Thai
spouse, a good law firm with an expertise in immigration
law and visa issues concerning the USA, UK or other nations,
can even help you to secure a marriage visa to bring your
Thai spouse back to your home country for marriage.
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