Getting Married in Thailand

Thailand – a place where surreal views and pristine waters surround the country. A place full of different cultures and ethnicities. it’s no wonder that many love getting married here. Although the process may not be that difficult in order to register your marriage, there are a few things to consider before proceeding. You must first determine whether you are eligible for such a marriage and if so, there are certain requirements that must be adhered to as well as the proper process in order to successfully register your marriage. Once registration has been complete, there are also other matters to take into consideration after marriage such as separate or matrimonial property and how each is to be dealt with and owned, consideration of prenuptials and marriage visas. Hence, it is imperative to have at least basic knowledge on the processes involved in getting married in Thailand, and to consider that it is not as easy as it sounds. Although the process may not be complicated, it is always essential that when doing things outside your home country, that you know exactly what is entailed.

Eligibility for Marriage Requirements:

• Must not be below the age of 17.
• Either party must not be insane, mentally unstable or incompetent.
• Must not be of blood relationship, ie, brothers, sisters, cousins, fathers, mothers, etc.
• Either party must not have the same legal guardians, ie- parents who have adopted them.
• Either party should not have a spouse at the time of marriage. If woman whose husband has died or whose marriage has become terminated, the marriage can only take place after expiry of 310 days from   such death or termination of marriage,but before such period if:

1. A child has been born during such period;
2. The divorced couple remarries;
3. There is a certificate issued by a qualified doctor who is a lawful physical practitioner in medicine showing that the woman is not pregnant
4. There is an order of the Court allowing the woman to marry

Getting Married in Thailand

There are various kinds of marriage ceremonies in Thailand whether this be a traditional Christian wedding with a black suit white dress, a traditional Buddhist ceremony or even an underwater marriage. However, all this does not effectively provide you a legal marriage certificate. To obtain this, you must register your marriage at the local district office depending upon your circumstances and of course where the Thai woman’s house registration outlines. It is essential to note that same sex marriages are although not prohibited with relation to ceremonies, however, they are not recognized in Thailand and cannot be registered.

For a foreigner to be able to successfully register their marriage, they must present an affirmation of freedom to marry, or a single status certificate which has been translated into Thai and approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and also their passports with their visa stamp pages. The documents may vary depending upon the local registrar and circumstances of each individual and their nationality. If married to a Thai national, you may obtain a marriage visa for your stay in Thailand. You may also consider the fact of prenuptials as well.

It is imperative to ensure that you check with a professional before proceeding in order to save time and costs. Contact us today at Juslaws & Consult for a free basic consultation on getting married in Thailand!

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