Step 1 — Affirmation from your embassy
Every foreigner must obtain a sworn 'Affirmation of Freedom to Marry' from their embassy in Bangkok. The format varies — US embassy uses a notarised affidavit, UK embassy stopped issuing in 2014 and now requires a UK Statutory Declaration, German embassy uses an Ehefähigkeitszeugnis. Fees range USD 50–200.
Step 2 — Translation
The Affirmation must be translated into Thai by a translator registered with the MFA. Translation typically costs THB 800–1,500 per page and takes 1 working day.
Step 3 — MFA legalization
The translated document, together with the original, is submitted to the MFA Consular Department for legalization. Express service (THB 1,000) returns the document the next working day.
Step 4 — Amphur registration
Both partners attend the Amphur with: legalized Affirmation, original passports, Thai partner's ID and house registration (Tabien Baan), and two adult witnesses with Thai IDs. Registration is free; the marriage certificate is issued the same day in Thai. An English translation is available on request and is itself legalizable for use abroad.
Step 5 — Recognition in your home country
For US, UK, Schengen and Australian recognition, the Thai marriage certificate must be translated into English (by MFA translator), MFA-legalized, and embassy-legalized. Plan another 5–7 working days.