Thailand Marriage for UK Citizens: Requirements, Steps, and Cost

Can a UK citizen get married in Thailand?

A UK citizen can legally marry in Thailand, provided the marriage follows Thai law. The process generally involves obtaining an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry from the British Embassy in Bangkok to confirm marital eligibility. You’ll also need a valid passport, proof of marital status (e.g., divorce decree or death certificate), and certified Thai translations. Finally, you must register the marriage at a local district office (Amphur) to receive a valid Thai marriage certificate.

Thailand marriage requirements for foreigners

To get married in Thailand, you and your partner must meet the eligibility requirements under Thai marriage rules. They include 

• Be at least 17 years old (or legal age under your home country’s law).
• Both parties must consent willingly to marry.
• Must be legally free to marry (single, divorced, or widowed).
• Both parties are judged competent.
• Not closely related by blood. This means you and your partner cannot
  • be blood relatives in the direct ascendant or descendant line
  • be siblings of full or half-blood.
• Neither partner can have the same adoptive parents.
• Can provide the relevant documents like Affirmation of Freedom to Marry
• If you’re a woman whose husband has died or whose previous marriage has ended, you can only remarry after 310 days from the date of death or termination of the marriage. However, you may marry before this period if:
  • A child has been born during this time
  • You are remarrying your former spouse
  • A qualified doctor issues a certificate stating you are not pregnant
  • The court permits you to marry

If you don’t meet the legal marriage requirement in Thailand, you can explore getting married in the UK and coming to Thailand for a symbolic wedding celebration. 

What documents do I need to get married in Thailand?

To legally marry in Thailand as a foreigner, you'll need to gather several key documents. They include 

Passport (valid and original)

Must present your valid original passport to confirm identity and nationality. A certified copy may also be required for embassy procedures. 

Affirmation of Freedom to Marry from your embassy in Thailand

This document confirms you're legally free to marry under your home country’s law. You must apply for the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry in person at the British Embassy in Bangkok or the Consulate in Phuket. The affirmation costs £50 and, once received, must be translated into Thai by a certified translator.

Divorce certificate or death certificate

 If you, or your partner, has been married before, you will need to show proof of divorce or a death certificate of a former spouse. The document must be in English or translated into Thai.

Certified Thai translation and legalisation of all foreign documents

All non-Thai documents, such as passports, must be translated into Thai by a certified translator. Once translated, it must be legalised at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to verify its authenticity. This step ensures local authorities can understand and process them.

Note: If your partner is a Thai national, they will need to provide a Thai ID card, house registration, and proof of marital status.

How can Translayte help?

Translayte provides professional certified translation and legalisation services to support your Thailand marriage paperwork. Our document translation meets the Thai government and embassy requirements, ensuring you avoid delays. Here’s how we can help

• Certified Thai translations: We provide professionally certified translations of your documents (passport, divorce certificate, etc.) accepted by Thai authorities.
   
• Legalisation & notarisation: Translayte can assist with notarising and legalising translated documents, ensuring their full compliance with Thai legal standards.
   
• Fast turnaround: Translayte offers expedited service options with a 12–24-hour delivery timeline if you're on a tight schedule.
   
• Transparent and competitive pricing: Our translation rates start at $31.75 per page with no hidden charges. You can request a quote to get translation rates if you have multiple documents or complex requirements. 
   

How to get married in Thailand for UK citizens

To get married in Thailand as a UK citizen, you must follow a specific legal process involving documentation from the UK and registration in Thailand.

Obtain an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry

Apply online and pay £50 for the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry, and £25 for a certified copy of your passport (total £75). Once the application is successful, you can book an appointment at the British Embassy in Bangkok, where officials will verify your information and make corrections. If approved, you will make your declaration and sign your affirmation documents.

Note: You’ll need to bring the originals of the documents you upload to your embassy appointment.

Get your documents translated into Thai and legalised

Once you have the signed affirmation, it must be translated into Thai by a certified translator and legalised by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. This ensures Thai government offices will accept it, and you can use it for official purposes.

Register your marriage at a Thai district office (Amphur)

With all documents in hand, visit an Amphur (district office) or marriage registrar in the Thailand district where you want to get married to your partner. Submit your documents, and if everything is in order, your marriage will be officially registered, and you will receive a Thai marriage certificate. 

Symbolic or religious ceremonies (Optional)

While the ceremony isn’t required by law, you can choose to host a traditional or symbolic wedding. This could be a:

• Buddhist temple blessing
• Beachfront western-style ceremony
• Personal vow exchange with guests

These ceremonies can happen before or after the official registration and are purely for celebration. They have no legal effect unless followed by proper registration at an Amphur.

Translate the Marriage Certificate (if needed for the UK)

If you plan to use your Thai marriage certificate abroad (such as in the UK), you will need to take it to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs for legalisation. This is an additional certification step to confirm the document’s authenticity for use outside Thailand

How much does getting married in Thailand cost UK citizens?

Total legal costs for a UK citizen marrying in Thailand typically range from £300 to £1,000.  Here’s a breakdown:

How long does it take for foreigners to get married in Thailand?

When prepared, the legal process typically takes 3–5 working days, but delays can extend it to 7–10 days. 

The timeline begins with a visit to your embassy in Bangkok to obtain an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry, which is usually completed in one day. But you must book an appointment and wait for a date. After that, the affirmation and other necessary documents must be translated into Thai by a certified translator, often within the same day or the next working day.

Document legalisation at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs usually takes 1 to 2 working days, depending on processing times. After legalisation, you and your partner can proceed to a local Amphur (district office) to register your marriage, which can often be done on the same day.

If you're short on time, using a local agency can reduce the entire process to 2–3 days. They often manage translations, legalisations, and paperwork, while you focus solely on the marriage.

Note: Thai government offices are closed on weekends and public holidays, so plan your schedule accordingly.

Thai marriage visa for UK citizens

If you’re married to a Thai citizen and plan to live in Thailand long-term, you can apply for a Thai Marriage Visa. The Thai Marriage Visa, officially known as the Non-Immigrant O Visa, is initially valid for 90 days and can be extended to 12 months.

To qualify, you must:

• Be legally married to a Thai citizen.
• Present a valid Thai marriage certificate.
• Meet financial requirements, typically a monthly income of THB 40,000.

While this visa allows multiple re-entries, it does not automatically grant permanent residency. It's ideal for UK spouses who want to live with their Thai partner in Thailand long-term. If you wish to change your visa or switch to permanent residence, you can visit the Thai immigration website for more details. 

Looking for certified translation services for your Thailand marriage and immigration documents?  Request a quote to get translation rates.