UK citizens getting married in
Thailand information
Thailandweddings Clients: The long and short of it
is you can get the affidavits in Chiang Mai or Bangkok
In Chiang mai it can be one day service but is only Honoury
consulate open mornings only and must be planned ahead.
Bangkok Embassy Opening Hours:
Monday - Thursday 0800-1100, 1300-1530
Friday 0800 – 1200 only and in Bangkok drop it off one
morning and pick it up after 9:00 the next.
Then once I have it it takes 2 working days normally to finish
the paperwork so we can register the wedding but the ceremony
can be done before.
Guidance for British Nationals Wishing to Marry in Thailand
This information is provided for general guidance only and
has no legal authority.
1. Make an affirmation of freedom to marry in person at the
British Embassy in Bangkok
Please retype the affirmation including your details on one page
in the same format as the attached sample and bring it to the
Embassy to sign before a British Consular official.
We accept affirmations between normal working hours, excluding
public holidays. It is not possible to make an appointment for
this service. The service is provided on a first - come - first
served basis. The completed affirmation will then be ready for
collection from the Embassy between from 09.00 hrs on the following
working day.
We charge Baht 2,625 per affirmation and we can provide this
service to British nationals only.
Please bring with you to the Embassy your passport, as proof
of identity, and evidence that any previous marriages have been
dissolved/terminated (death certificate or divorce certificate(s)
as appropriate). Original are required and will be returned
along with the affirmation the following day; copies will not
be accepted under any circumstances.
2. Have the affirmation translated into Thai
Once the affirmation has been signed, you will need to have it
translated into Thai. Please note that Consular Section does
not undertake the preparation or translation of documents. Many
reputable translation companies advertise on the internet as
well as in the Thai local press. The Embassy is unable to recommend
any particular firms.
3. Have the affirmation authenticated and translation certified
All Thai Registrars will require authentication of the British
Consular Official’s signature and certification of the Thai
translation. This must be obtained from:
The Legalisation and Naturalisation Division,
Department of Consular Affairs,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (www.mfa.go.th)
123 Chaeng Wattana Road, Laksi District, Bangkok 11120
Tel. 0– 2575 1056–59, 0–2981 7171
(08.30 – 11.30 and 13.00 – 15.30)
There are two fees available: -
1. Baht 400 per document, and it takes up to two full days or
2. Baht 800 per document for the same day service.
4. Submit the document to the Registrar
The affirmation and translation are then ready for submission
to the registrar, who, if satisfied, will register the marriage
and issue a Thai marriage certificate.
The British Embassy in Bangkok is not authorised to perform marriages.
Marriage in Thailand should be performed according to Thai law
and any detailed questions on the procedure should be addressed
to the appropriate Thai authorities.
A religious ceremony on its own is not sufficient.
The documentation to be produced is at the discretion of each
individual Registrar. Most Registrars will be satisfied with
an affirmation of freedom to marry.
The marriage will only be recognised under UK law if it is valid
under Thai law. For it to be valid in Thai law, the marriage
must be registered with the Registrar at an Amphur Office (District
Office). A list of some Amphur offices in Bangkok and upcountry
is attached.
The Thai marriage certificate will be in Thai only. You may
wish to commission a “sworn translation” of the marriage
certificate from a translation bureau, so that you may use the
document for legal purposes in the UK.
Consular Section can arrange for your marriage to be recorded
in the UK; please ask us for further details if you wish us to
do so. This is not a legal obligation, it is for statistical
purposes and if you lose a copy of your certificate only.
Please note that a foreign national does not automatically acquire
British nationality through marriage to a British national.
If you are marrying a Thai national, he or she will require a
visa to visit or settle in the UK.
Applications for a visa to settle in the United Kingdom should
be submitted at least three months in advance of the proposed
date of travel. Please ask the Visa Section for further information.
NB: The fees may alter without prior notice.
Consular Section
British Embassy
14 Wireless Road
Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
Tel: (66) 2 305-8333 ext 2229
Fax: (66) 2 255-6051
E-mail: Consular.Bangkok@fco.gov.uk
website: http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/thailand |
