MARRIAGE IN THAILAND

A legal marriage in Thailand consists of both parties registering their marriage in person with the local Thai Amphur (Civil Registry Office).  The United States does recognize the validity of such a marriage.

To marry a Thai citizen or a foreigner, please do the following:

1. Complete an affidavit at the United States Consulate General in Chiang Mai or at Embassy Bangkok.  The  marriage affadavit form includes all of the information required by relevant Thai law.  The form must be completed and notarized ($ 30 fee or Thai Baht equivalent) at the Embassy or Consulate General.

2. Have the completed affidavit translated into Thai and typed.

3. Take the affidavit and translation to the Legalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for certification.  Contact information is:123 Changwattana Road, Thungsonghong, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, telephone number: (02) 5751057-8. 

The Legalization Division accepts documents between the hours of 08:30 and 14:40. Bring the affidavit, translation, a copy of your passport, and a 200 Baht fee. The process requires two to three working days; you do not have to stay in Bangkok after bringing the documents to their office.

For those who are unable to personally travel to Bangkok, a letter of power of attorney authorizing another person to submit and receive documents on your behalf is acceptable.

Please note, Thai regulations are subject to change. A confirmatory phone call to the number above is advised!

4. Take the affidavit and supporting documents to a local Amphur and register yourself as married.  The Amphur will also require the following documents:

• Your valid American passport    
• A certified copy of termination of previous marriages, if any (divorce decree or death certificate) with Thai translation
• If either party is under the age of twenty, parents' presence or written permission (with Thai translation, if necessary) is required