Getting married in Thailand

1. Prepare before you go. For me, it was go to the US Embassy in Thailand website and download the affirmation (affidavit) form stating that you are legal to marry according to Thai law. Fill out the form but do not sign it. You will have to do that in front of a notary. If you were divorced or your spouse passed away, you will need documentation attesting to that.

2. You can either make an appointment online or walk-in at the US Embassy's American Citizens Services (ACS).

3. Once in country, plan to spend an entire day completing the process. For me, it was go to the Embassy at 0800 for an 0900 appointment. The longest process was getting through security – very similar to going through at an airport. Leave unnecessary items in hotel. I took a number and was seen at 0830 announcing that I was there for the 0900 appointment. I was told to come back to the window at 0900. I did this and gave the guy the filled out form (minus signature) and he directed me to the cashier and told me that once I had paid for the notary to come straight back to the window. I went to the cashier and paid 1020 Baht and came back to the window with the receipt. Five minutes later, I had my notarized document.

4. The next stop is at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). You have to present the affidavit to them in both English (or your language) and Thai. The lady at the ACS provided me the address in Thai. While waiting for a taxi to go to MFA, I decided to take a picture of the front of the US Embassy from across Wireless Road. Almost immediately, 2 security guards came a-running and insisted that no photos were allowed. I apologized and said that there is no sign stating that – but they were adamant and checked every picture on my camera to ensure that I had no photos. We were approached by one translation tout offering services for 300 Baht – but I declined as I knew I could get it all done at MFA.

5. Taxi to MFA on Chaeng Wattana (near Don Muang Airport) and through another security check to the food court on the first floor. Within one minute – we are approached offering the translation service for 300 Baht and completion in 30 minutes. We agree. Paperwork delivered on time and up to the 3rd floor to the Legalization Division. 400 Baht for 2-day service or 800 Baht for same-day. We choose the latter. Number called and presented documentation (to include copy of passport and her ID card), paid 800 Baht and was told to come back in 2 hours. It is now about 1100. Go back to food court and have lunch and back to 3rd floor to wait. 2 hours turns into 3 1/2 and at 1430 we are done with MFA.

Legalization Division
Department of Consular Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3rd Floor, 123 Chaeng Wattana Road
Tung Song Hong, Laksi District, Bangkok
Tel:(02) 575-1057-8, Fax:(02) 575-1054

6. Teerak wants to register at the Bangrak Amphur (Civil registry office) since it has the word "rak" in the name – meaning "love". This is the busiest office in the country on Valentine's Day. So, back in a taxi and to the Bangrak Amphur (you can actually register at any Amphur). We check in and go to make some copies of her ID card and my passport (one passport and 2 ID copies). We are shuffled from desk to desk to desk (6 total) so that clerks can check, stamp, verify, make copies, stamp some more, and pass you up one rung on the ladder. We finally make it to the #2 guy in the office (#1 is watching TV) and he checks, double-checks, and triple-checks everything. It is all in order and tells us that we now need to pay 40 Baht to get registered – but – he has a sideline business – selling folders to put all the documentation in for only 450 Baht. Teerak wants one – so 490 Baht to #2. He takes a few pictures for us and leads us to a rickshaw for more photos. By 1600 we are "man and wife"

7. That is it. Now we will head to Khon Kaen for a traditional Thai ceremony at a temple and then a reception at a local hotel. We did allow one extra day in BKK just in case we could not get everything accomplished - but didn’t need it.

8. To sum up the cost to register a marriage in Thailand:

a. American Embassy – 1020 Baht
b. Translation – 300 Baht
c. Ministry of Foreign Affairs – 800 Baht
d. Register wedding at Bangrak Amphur – 40 Baht
e. Wedding Book – 450 Baht
f. Taxi fares – about 300 Baht
g. All in for 2910 Baht

Article Source: http://www.articles2use.com - a Rentaccomspain.com company.

Larry Westfall is the owner of the Thai video site www.pattaya-gogo.com

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