about moving to Thailand & living in Thailand

Marriages in Thailand can be as simple as completing some forms and filing them at the correct government offices. Or a marriage may be as elaborate as one's imagination can conjure. Most marriages do involve some sort of ceremony often followed by a celebration.

While married in Thailand is relatively easy, permission to stay in Thailand based on marriage to a Thai national is a bit less so. But since hundreds of westerners seem to take that approach to living in Thailand, it does work .. assuming you jump through all the right hoops.

Legal Marriage in Thailand

To Register a Marriage in Thailand

1. Complete an affidavit at your embassy that includes all of the information required by Thai law. It will probably need to be "certified" by a consular officer.
2. If you have previously been married, you must also complete a second affidavit to that effect.
3. Have your documents translated into Thai by a certified translator.
4. Have the completed affidavit and Thai-language translation "legalized" by the Thai Government. There is a nominal charge for this service and the time needed depends on the Thai officials' workload.
5. Take your affidavits and supporting documents to any Umphur office in Thailand. You may then legally register your marriage. (If neither party speaks Thai, bring a translator).
6. Additional documents required
   • Your passport
   • If the other party is a Thai citizen, his/her Thai identification card
   • If either party is under the age of twenty, written permission from the parents (with Thai translation)
   • If either party has been married, officials may want to see proof that the marriage has been recriminated. Divorce certificates or death certificates (with Thai translations) should suffice.

Spouse Visa Extensions in Thailand

• Apply with form TM 7
• One photograph size 4 x 6 cm
• Visa Fee of Bt 1,900
• Copy of passport plus "certified true copy"

Required Documentation for Supporting a Thai Wife

• Marriage Certificate
• Wife's house registration
• Wife's identity card
• Evidence of financial capability, evidenced by Bt 400,000 that has been deposited in a Thai bank for 2 months prior to the date of application; or certification of an income of Bt 40,000 / mo from a source outside Thailand.

Required Documentation for Support from Thai Husband

• Marriage Certificate
• Husband's house registration
• Husband's identity card
• Recording of an interview of husband and wife that confirms marital status
• Map of house location
• Pictures of house family