Thailand Legal Marriage Requirements
Wedding Regulations/Vow Renewals
A legal marriage in Thailand is legal in the U.S. and Canada, but it must be performed according to Thai law.
In addition, paperwork and legal formalities have to be completed to ensure the wedding is recognized in your home country. Note: Canadian citizens should check with the Vital Statistics Office of the province or territory where the couple will live.
In Thailand you are only legally married once the wedding has been registered at the District Office ("amphur"). It is highly recommended that you arrange for clients to use the services of a wedding planner. We highly recommend, Distinct Occasions, and refer them for our Canadian/American clients seeking assistance with their Thailand wedding. Many major hotels offer wedding packages that include the services of a wedding coordinator to oversee all the details.
No matter whether a client uses a Wedding Planner or not, they still need to be made aware of the regulations for marrying in Thailand. Please note that many of the services cited below require fees.
Legalities
Assuming your clients are U.S. or Canadian citizens, they need to visit their respective embassy in Thailand. Wedding Planners may have arrangements with embassies to speed the process up, but generally speaking the couple should allow four or five days in Bangkok to sort out the paperwork and legalize the marriage. First and foremost, their passports must be up to date and have a minimum validity of six months from the date of departure.
Thai law also requires that:
Unlike Canada and most of the U.S.A., Thailand does not permit marriage for same-sex couples. While same-sex couples can choose to have a commitment ceremony or symbolic ceremony in Thailand, their marriage will NOT be legally recognized.
Affirmation to Marry
Thai authorities require that any foreign nationals wishing to marry in Thailand obtain an affirmation of freedom to marry from their home country’s embassy. The embassy will require your passport and evidence of termination of any previous marriages (i.e. divorce certificate, death certificate). These should be original documents and not photocopies.
Next, the form needs to be translated into Thai (the embassy will not do his for you). There are a number of translation services and offices to be found near the main embassies and typically cost is around $20–$30 per document. The translated forms are then submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tel: 02 575 1056–59; e–mail: [email protected]), which authenticates them and returns them the following day.
Once all the paperwork is completed they must visit the district office, which is similar to a town hall or registry office. A religious ceremony on its own is not recognized as being valid under Thai law. There is not usually any need to make an appointment, but they will need their affirmation and translated documents. The couple should also go with somebody who can speak Thai.
Note: The Thai marriage certificate will be in Thai only. Couples may wish to obtain a sworn translation of the certificate from a translation bureau so that the document can be used for legal purposes in their home country.
Marriage in Thailand
Please note that the Embassy cannot perform, witness, or register a marriage, but is able to notarize the required affidavit.
In Thailand, a civil marriage is legally recognized once registered at a district registrar’s office. Religious or community marriage ceremonies are not sufficient. Unlike Canada, Thailand does not permit marriage for same-sex couples. While same-sex couples can choose to have a commitment ceremony or symbolic ceremony in Thailand, their marriage will NOT be legally recognized.
You will need to take the following steps to register your marriage in Thailand:
1. Affirm/swear an affidavit of freedom to marry (1 morning)
2. Have the affidavit translated into Thai (1 – 2 working days)
3. Have all documents certified/authenticated (1 – 2 working days)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Legalization Division
3rd Fl., Dept. of Consular Affairs
123 Chaeng Watthana Road, Bangkok 10210
Tel: 0 2575-1056 - 9, Fax: 0 2575-1054
Hours: 08:30 to 11:30, and 13:00 to 14:30.
Website: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/150.php
กรมการกงสุล กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ
กองสัญชาติและนิติกรณ์
123 ถนนแจ้งวัฒนะ
แขวงทุ่งสองห้อง เขตหลักสี่ กรุงเทพฯ 10210
4. Register the marriage (1 day)
The nearest district registrar office to the Embassy is: Bangrak District Registrar’s Office, 5 Nares Road, Bangkok 10500. Tel: 0 2236-3154, Hours: Monday to Friday 08:30 - noon and 13:00 - 16:30.
5. Have the marriage certificate translated — optional (1 day)
Translation Services
The Embassy of Canada can neither provide nor recommend translation services, but provides the following brief list of translation offices close to the Embassy for your convenience.
Bangkok Business & Secretarial Office Ltd.
5/6 Soi Saladaeng, Silom Road, Bangkok 10500
(Saladaeng BTS / Silom MRT Stations)
Tel: 0 2233-4768, 0 2266-5531, 0 2233-3572
Fax: 0 2235-7321
International Translation Office
22 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500
(Saladaeng BTS / Silom MRT Stations)
Tel: 0 2233-7714, 0 2234-9969, 0 2267-1097
Fax: 0 2632-7119
Express Translation Service and Travel
888 Mahatun Plaza, 1st Floor, Units 3 and 14
Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Bangkok 10330
(Ploenchit BTS Station)
Tel: 0 2252-0337, 0 2250-0412, 0 2650-7793
Fax: 0 2252-0337, 0 2650-8653
The Sun Translation and Language Service
3rd Floor, C.P. Tower, 13 Silom Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
(Saladaeng BTS Station / Silom MRT)
Tel: 0 2266-6689, 08 1659-1489
Fax: 0 2266-6687
A legal marriage in Thailand is legal in the U.S. and Canada, but it must be performed according to Thai law.
In addition, paperwork and legal formalities have to be completed to ensure the wedding is recognized in your home country. Note: Canadian citizens should check with the Vital Statistics Office of the province or territory where the couple will live.
In Thailand you are only legally married once the wedding has been registered at the District Office ("amphur"). It is highly recommended that you arrange for clients to use the services of a wedding planner. We highly recommend, Distinct Occasions, and refer them for our Canadian/American clients seeking assistance with their Thailand wedding. Many major hotels offer wedding packages that include the services of a wedding coordinator to oversee all the details.
No matter whether a client uses a Wedding Planner or not, they still need to be made aware of the regulations for marrying in Thailand. Please note that many of the services cited below require fees.
Legalities
Assuming your clients are U.S. or Canadian citizens, they need to visit their respective embassy in Thailand. Wedding Planners may have arrangements with embassies to speed the process up, but generally speaking the couple should allow four or five days in Bangkok to sort out the paperwork and legalize the marriage. First and foremost, their passports must be up to date and have a minimum validity of six months from the date of departure.
Thai law also requires that:
- A couple must be of legal age (17 years) upon filing for marriage registration, otherwise permission must be granted by a court.
- Permission from the parents is required for parties under legal age.
- Both parties must not be registered as married to anyone else.
- A widow or divorcee will be permitted to remarry not less than 310 days after the previous marriage has expired, unless she has given birth to a child, is remarrying the same person, is not pregnant (as certified by doctor) or approval to remarry from a court has been obtained.
Unlike Canada and most of the U.S.A., Thailand does not permit marriage for same-sex couples. While same-sex couples can choose to have a commitment ceremony or symbolic ceremony in Thailand, their marriage will NOT be legally recognized.
Affirmation to Marry
Thai authorities require that any foreign nationals wishing to marry in Thailand obtain an affirmation of freedom to marry from their home country’s embassy. The embassy will require your passport and evidence of termination of any previous marriages (i.e. divorce certificate, death certificate). These should be original documents and not photocopies.
Next, the form needs to be translated into Thai (the embassy will not do his for you). There are a number of translation services and offices to be found near the main embassies and typically cost is around $20–$30 per document. The translated forms are then submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tel: 02 575 1056–59; e–mail: [email protected]), which authenticates them and returns them the following day.
Once all the paperwork is completed they must visit the district office, which is similar to a town hall or registry office. A religious ceremony on its own is not recognized as being valid under Thai law. There is not usually any need to make an appointment, but they will need their affirmation and translated documents. The couple should also go with somebody who can speak Thai.
Note: The Thai marriage certificate will be in Thai only. Couples may wish to obtain a sworn translation of the certificate from a translation bureau so that the document can be used for legal purposes in their home country.
Marriage in Thailand
Please note that the Embassy cannot perform, witness, or register a marriage, but is able to notarize the required affidavit.
In Thailand, a civil marriage is legally recognized once registered at a district registrar’s office. Religious or community marriage ceremonies are not sufficient. Unlike Canada, Thailand does not permit marriage for same-sex couples. While same-sex couples can choose to have a commitment ceremony or symbolic ceremony in Thailand, their marriage will NOT be legally recognized.
You will need to take the following steps to register your marriage in Thailand:
1. Affirm/swear an affidavit of freedom to marry (1 morning)
- Complete an English affidavit form at the Embassy, Monday to Friday from 09:00 to noon.
- A fee of CAD $50 is payable for this notary service, payable in CAD, USD or THB. We can provide this service for Canadian citizens only. Please bring your passport.
- If you are divorced or widowed, please provide an original divorce or death certificate.
- Affidavits completed in French will have to be translated into English for Thai authorities.
2. Have the affidavit translated into Thai (1 – 2 working days)
- The notarized English affidavit must be translated into Thai by a certified translator. (See list of translation firms below).
3. Have all documents certified/authenticated (1 – 2 working days)
- Take the notarized affidavit and Thai translation to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have the translation certified and the signature of the Canadian official authenticated.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Legalization Division
3rd Fl., Dept. of Consular Affairs
123 Chaeng Watthana Road, Bangkok 10210
Tel: 0 2575-1056 - 9, Fax: 0 2575-1054
Hours: 08:30 to 11:30, and 13:00 to 14:30.
Website: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/150.php
กรมการกงสุล กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ
กองสัญชาติและนิติกรณ์
123 ถนนแจ้งวัฒนะ
แขวงทุ่งสองห้อง เขตหลักสี่ กรุงเทพฯ 10210
4. Register the marriage (1 day)
- Proceed to any district office to register the marriage. If neither party speaks Thai, an interpreter will be required. The couple will be provided with two copies of the official Marriage Certificate in Thai.
- Marriages that are legally performed abroad are usually valid in Canada and do not require any additional steps or registration. Please direct further inquiries to the Vital Statistics Office of the province or territory where the couple will live.
The nearest district registrar office to the Embassy is: Bangrak District Registrar’s Office, 5 Nares Road, Bangkok 10500. Tel: 0 2236-3154, Hours: Monday to Friday 08:30 - noon and 13:00 - 16:30.
5. Have the marriage certificate translated — optional (1 day)
- If you wish to use the Marriage Certificate in Canada or other countries, you should have it translated into English or French. It may then be notarized at either the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs or at the Embassy of Canada.
- For details on marriage in Cambodia, Laos, or Burma, please contact the Embassy in Bangkok.
- Foreign nationals do not automatically acquire Canadian citizenship through marriage to Canadians. If you are marrying a Thai national, he or she will require a visa for Canada. The Consular Section cannot assist with this. Please see the Immigration Section or Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Translation Services
The Embassy of Canada can neither provide nor recommend translation services, but provides the following brief list of translation offices close to the Embassy for your convenience.
Bangkok Business & Secretarial Office Ltd.
5/6 Soi Saladaeng, Silom Road, Bangkok 10500
(Saladaeng BTS / Silom MRT Stations)
Tel: 0 2233-4768, 0 2266-5531, 0 2233-3572
Fax: 0 2235-7321
International Translation Office
22 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500
(Saladaeng BTS / Silom MRT Stations)
Tel: 0 2233-7714, 0 2234-9969, 0 2267-1097
Fax: 0 2632-7119
Express Translation Service and Travel
888 Mahatun Plaza, 1st Floor, Units 3 and 14
Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Bangkok 10330
(Ploenchit BTS Station)
Tel: 0 2252-0337, 0 2250-0412, 0 2650-7793
Fax: 0 2252-0337, 0 2650-8653
The Sun Translation and Language Service
3rd Floor, C.P. Tower, 13 Silom Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
(Saladaeng BTS Station / Silom MRT)
Tel: 0 2266-6689, 08 1659-1489
Fax: 0 2266-6687
Vow RenewalsFor couples who only want to reaffirm their commitment to each other, vow renewal ceremonies can usually be arranged at or by their hotel–without all the legal red tape of an actual marriage. For something more exotic, many temples will conduct a Buddhist ceremony and have their nuptials blessed by a Thai monk.
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Wedding AttireIf your clients planning a destination wedding in Thailand, why not suggest to the bride-to-be the idea of having their wedding attire designed in Thailand for the occasion. It would certainly give an air of authenticity to the wedding, but most important another conversation piece where you, the agent, will be lauded for your knowledge of the destination.
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For All LifestylesThis is a country that truly has something for everyone, whatever their age or special interests. Thailand is also a progressive country when it comes to acceptance of all lifestyles on both an official and personal level. This means that regardless of sexual preference, guests are treated with the utmost respect and a warm welcome and gracious hospitality.
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