Getting Married In Thailand
Seeing as there are a number of well-respected members about to take the plunge with their Thai ‘darklings’ it seems appropriate to have a thread where all this info is easily found.
As others yearn to join the ranks of the happily married here in LOS,
-there are certain protocols which need to be observed
-various pitfalls which need to be avoided
-and the prerequisite paper-work which needs to be completed.
I’ll kick it off, seeing as my nuptials are due next week, by talking about the paper work.
Step 1: You’ll need a Statutory Declaration from your embassy. Being a kiwi, this cost me 850 baht and took 10 minutes. You fill in the form, pay the money and they stamp & sign it. Done.
Maybe other countries have different rules, which is why I thought we should have this thread.
Oh. If your divorced in your own country you need you divorce certificate both certified and translated as well.
Step 2: Take your Statutory Declaration to a translation agency to be translated into Thai. There are many around the embassies in Wireless Road, on the RHS as you walk towards Ploenchit Road. The one I used was Fuji Translation 57/13 Wireless Rd. Cost 300 baht and took 20 minutes.
Step 3: Get yourself out to 123 Chang Wattana Road to the Department of Consular Affairs which is open 8:30 – 3:30.
If you don’t drive, the easiest way is the take the BTS to Mor Chit Station and then a taxi which should cost 100-150 baht.
Tell the taxi กระทรวงต่างประเทศ กรมกงสุล ถนนแจ้งวัฒนะ
If your driving, take the expressway to Chang Wattana Road. First toll way is 40 baht and second is 10 baht. On the way back there’s only one toll way at 50 baht. Don’t speed cause they have cameras every day on this part of the expressway.
When you go off at Chang Wattana Rd keep right so you go over the road and then your heading back into the city. Go past Macro, but don’t enter the right lane cause it’s only for u-turns all the way down and the brownies are there every day collecting money for their mia nois. After about 2 kms there’s a huge sign in English ‘Consular Affairs’. Now take the right lane and U-turn in front of Telecom HO. Entrance is past the Consular Affairs building. Free Parking.
Step 4: Go to the Legalisation Department which is on the 3rd floor. Take the escalator and then one flight of stairs – no lift. The helpful ladies at the desk at the top of the stairs will give you the form to fill in. You need your passport and a copy of the first pages and the visa page. (photocopier on the first floor). She will give you a number from the machine. Take a seat and wait till your number is called.
I went about 10:30 am…maybe 50 people there, but I only waited 5 minutes before my number was called. They check your documents and take your money. There are different rates you can pay but if you pay 800 baht you get it back within 2 hours. Pay any less and you have to come back tomorrow. Why would you bother. Sit down and wait for your receipt and your change which took maybe 10 minutes.
She then told me it would take about two hours, not including lunch and suggested I come back about 2pm. I went downstairs for some lunch in the cafeteria. Back up and read the paper. Less than 2 hours (they worked over lunch) she called my name. Sorted.
Step 5: Now you can go to any Amphur Office in Thailand and register you marriage.
Registering mine next week…Again!!!
Cheers
KM