Marriage in Thailand


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Steps for registering a marriage in Thailand

Under Thai law, for a marriage to be legally recognized the parties must be registered at what is called the Amphur (registrar's office). Each district in Thailand has it's own Amphur.

If either party is a foreigner, the Amphur requires authenticated copies of a passport, a completed statutory declaration translated into Thai and the documents mentioned in paragraph 2 below, if appropriate. Statutory declaration forms are available at the Consular Section of the Embassy. The following steps should be taken to register a marriage:

1.
Completed the statutory declaration and have your signature witnessed by the Consul or the Vice Consul. You must present your Australian passport as proof of identity. The fee is $ 10 (approximately Baht 270).
2.
Have the statutory declaration translated into Thai at a translation agency. If one of the parties, or both, have been married before, you must have also have your original divorce certificate or the original death certificate of your spouse translated into Thai. The Australian Embassy does not provide a translation service.
3.
The Australian Embassy only accepts Thai Baht as payment for services.
4.
After the documents have been translated they must be authenticated by:

The Legalisation Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Department of Consular Affairs
123 Moo 3, Kwang Toong Song Hong, Khet Laksi, Bangkok 1002

Telephone: (662) 575 1061, 575 1057
Office hours: 08.30-15.30


The Legalisation Division requires copies of the statutory declaration and the t ranslation, as well as a copy of your passport details. There is an application fee and it tales two days to complete.

When you have completed the above requirements, you should go to an Amphur Office to register the marriage. You should take with you the above documents, your passport and an interpreter to facilitate communication with the Amphur officials (this is general required if neither party can speak Thai). It is important that you make an appointment before proceeding to the Amphur.

Note:

If you wish to sponsor your spouse for migration to Australia you should contact the Immigration Section of the Embassy and not Consular Section.