Marriage registration in Thailand.

This guide provides an outline of marriage registration in Thailand.

Getting married in Thailand is similar to wedding procedures in other countries in terms of options and variety. The groom and bride-to-be can choose their wedding to be with or without a betrothal ceremony and also at court or at a destination of own choice. Couples getting married in Thailand should also register their marriage.

Let’s see how marriages are registered.

Procedure for getting legally married in Thailand

Meeting the eligibility requirements

Couples must have the following eligibility requirements to be legally married in Thailand:

• Either of them must not be less than 17 years of age or meet the minimum age criterion in their home country, whichever is lower
• Both man and woman are sane and competent to make an independent decision
• Both must not be blood-related, including direct ascendant or descendant line, or brother or sister of full- or half-blood
• Both of them should not have the same adoptive parents
• Either of them should not have a spouse at the time of marriage. If a woman’s husband dies or marriage has been terminated, the marriage can only take place after 310 days from such death or termination but can take place before the specified period in the case that:
  • A child has been born during the period
  • The divorced couple remarries
  • There is a certificate issued by a doctor showing that the woman is not pregnant
  • There is a court order allowing the woman to marry

Preparing the required documents

The following documents are required for Thai nationals:

• Identification card of both parties
• The house registration book (Tabien Baan) for both parties
• Divorce certificate or death certificate of the previous spouse (if any)
• Change of name certificate (if any)

The following documents are required for foreigners:

• Copy of their passport
• An Affirmation of Freedom to Marry from the embassy or consulate in Bangkok legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Thai translation of the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry
• Divorce certificate or death certificate of the previous spouse (if any)

Completing the marriage registration

Marriage registration in Thailand is filed at the District Office (Amphoe Office or Khet Office in Bangkok) or Minor District Office nationwide.

Should the couple be, for any reason, unable to do so at any of the District Offices, they can submit a request to the Registrar. Registered marriage can be subsequently carried out at any location under the supervision of the District Office and the couple will obtain Marriage Registration Certificate as their evidence.

A marriage can only take place if both the man and woman agree to take each other as husband and wife, and such agreement must be declared publicly before the Registrar in order to have it recorded by the Registrar (section 1458).

According to section 1455 of the Thai Family Law, giving consent to the marriage may be made by:

• Affixing the signature of the person giving consent in the Register at the time of the registration of marriage
• A consent document stating the names of the parties to the marriage and signed by the person giving consent
• Verbal declaration before at least two witnesses in case of necessity

Conclusion

Acclime has certified lawyers who can help you get your marriage in Thailand legalised.