Marriage Registration in Thailand

Marriage Registration in Thailand by Mr. Dennis P. Ramm
in International Law

Marriage Registration in Thailand

Thailand's natural wonders have made the country among one of the favorite wedding destinations in the world. But before you celebrate your dream Thai wedding, you have the option of undergoing a legal marriage registration. Marriage in Thailand is already considered valid upon registration at the local district office (Amphur).

There are two ways of processing your legal marriage registration in Thailand.



Registration by celebrating the marriage before the Registrar

It is usual for Thais to exchange vows publicly and in the presence of the Civil Registrar. This exchange of vows is also known as the betrothal ceremony. The Thai Civil and Commercial Code provides several ways of going about this process, through the following:


by affixing signature of the consenting parties in the Register;
by making a consent document wherein the name of the contracting parties are written and both have duly signed; or
by the verbal declaration before at least two witnesses.

Registration at the District Office

The Thai marriage may be registered at any local district office in Thailand. Thai couples may register their marriage any time after the wedding ceremony as well. If the couple cannot register the marriage by requesting the Registrar, they may register the marriage at the District Office, for a minimal fee.


Special Rules relating to Marriage between Foreigners



If the contracting parties are foreigners, it would be better to seek the help of law firms or immigration consultants. An ample knowledge of Thai laws as explained by experts will give the couple more security as they go about the legal registration of their marriage in Thailand.

Documents that are required for registration of a Thai marriage contracted between foreigners include the following: a copy of the passport with the arrival card; affidavit issued by their respective embassy that they have no legal impediment to marry each other; and the translated copy of the affidavits which is also certified by an approved Foreign Ministry Translator.

Consideration should be made for the drafting of a Thai prenuptial agreement prior to your wedding day in order to safeguard the assets of both parties in case of the unlikely event of a divorce in Thailand. The Thailand prenuptial agreement should be drafted by a Thailand Lawyer and can be registered on the day of the ceremony.



After Marriage Registration

A Thai marriage certificate will only be issued by the District Registrar after completing the entire process of the legal Thai marriage registration. Following the Thai Civil provisions regarding marriage, the couple will only be deemed as spouses after this process.



Siam Legal International provides Marriage in Thailand legal registration services. If you would like to order a free copy of our Legal Guide to Thailand Marriage please visit our website today! Additional services are available for a Thailand Wedding Planner. Those interested in getting married in Thailand should visit us on the web at www.siam-legal.com.






About the Author
Dennis Ramm is the Managing Partner for Siam Legal International, Thailand's largest legal service network with offices in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and Samui. The firm has international locations in London and Los Angeles. Siam Legal is a full-service law firm and provides a wide range of legal and visa services. Reach Siam Legal at +(66) 2-253-8100, or info@siam-legal.com.