Getting Married in Thailand: A Step-by-Step Guide for Foreigners
Thailand is a beautiful country to start your new chapter in life—and if you're planning to legally marry a Thai national, the process is more straightforward than you might think. However, it does involve a few legal steps and documentation.
Here's a simple guide to help you understand what’s required and how we can help make the process seamless and stress-free.
Step 1: Obtain an Affirmation of Marital Status
The first step is proving that you're free to marry. As a foreign national, you must obtain an Affirmation of Marital Status from your embassy in Thailand. This document certifies that you are legally single (or divorced/widowed, as the case may be) and eligible to marry.
Additional requirements:
If you've been previously married, you’ll need to present an official divorce certificate or death certificate of your former spouse.
The embassy should also certify a true copy of your passport.
Step 2: Translate and Legalize the Documents
Once you've received the necessary documents from your embassy, they must be translated into Thai by a licensed translation service. Then, bring both the original documents and their translations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Thailand for legalization. This step ensures that your documents are officially recognized under Thai law.
Step 3: Register Your Marriage at the District Office (Ampuhr)
After your documents have been translated and legalized, you and your Thai partner must visit a local district office (Amphur) in Thailand to officially register the marriage.
📝 Important: Some district offices may require additional documents or personal statements, depending on your nationality or specific circumstances. It's always best to check with the office in advance or let us do that on your behalf.
Step 4: Bring Witnesses and a Translator (If Needed)
To complete the marriage registration:
You’ll need to bring two witnesses who can sign your marriage certificate.
If either of you cannot speak Thai or English fluently, it's strongly recommended to bring a translator to ensure smooth communication during the registration process.
Need Help? Let Us Handle the Details.
While the steps are clear, navigating embassy rules, legal translations, and district office requirements can feel overwhelming—especially if you're unfamiliar with Thai administrative procedures.
That’s where we come in.
✅ We assist with every stage of the process, except where it needs you to be in person such as contacting your embassy, and registering marriage at a district office. We can support to certified translations, legalization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and liaising with your local district office.
✅ Our team can also provide a professional translator and even help you prepare witnesses if needed.
Contact us today for a consultation or to receive a personalized checklist based on your nationality and situation.