Do I need American divorce decree translated to get married?

[RobertAtlantaUSA 1]

Ive gotten my US embassy affirmation to marry and of the divorce, 2 pages and I got them translated to Thai. Will the MFA need my 3 page divorce decree? If so, does it need to be translated to Thai before they issue my clearance letter?

Thanks!

Edited January 18, 2015 by RobertAtlantaUSA

[rin and john 71]

It has been eight years since we married in Bangkok, but we did not have to have my divorce decree translated. We used an agency across the street from the Embassy to do the translation. They also took all of the paperwork to the MFA for us to get the necessary stamp. We returned to see them either the next day or two days later to get the papers back. Saved us the hassle of having to go the MFA and wait in line.

[rin and john 71]

Checking the Embassy website, it appears things have changed in the past eight years. It does not look like the MFA will want your divorce decree, but the Amphur might.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/mobile//service/marriage

A legal marriage in Thailand consists of both parties registering their marriage in person with the local Thai Amphur (Civil Registry Office). The United States does recognize the validity of such a marriage. For American citizens marrying either Thai citizens or another American citizen, the procedure is the same. For Americans marrying a third-country national, their prospective spouse must also follow a similar procedure with their own embassy.

Procedure

Complete an affidavit at the U.S. Embassy. The affidavit form, available in our office or you may download a copy of the form here (PDF 42KB), includes all of the information required by relevant Thai law. The form must be completed and notarized at the Embassy. The notarial fee is $50 per seal. Make an appointment for a notary service.

Have the notarized affidavit translated. List of translators in the Bangkok area (PDF 50KB).

Take the affidavit and translation to:

Legalization Division

Department of Consular Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3rd Floor, 123 Chaeng Wattana Road

Tung Song Hong, Laksi District, Bangkok

Tel: 02-575-1057-8, Fax: 02-575-1054

NOTE: this office is located in a northern suburb of Bangkok, approximately 30 minutes drive from the Embassy.

Take the affidavit and supporting documents to a local Amphur and register yourselves as married. The Amphur will also require the following documents:

Your U.S. passport;

Identification for the other party, such as a Thai citizen's identification card; If either party is under the age of twenty, written permission from the parents with Thai translation);

If either you or your fiance have been previously married the Amphur will want to see proof that prior marriages have been terminated. Divorce or death certificates should suffice. These documents, if available, should be translated into Thai prior to presentation at the Amphur.

The Amphurs office will provide a marriage certificate. Have the marriage certificate translated and take it for legalization at:

Legalization Division

Department of Consular Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3rd Floor, 123 Chaeng Wattana Road

Tung Song Hong, Laksi District, Bangkok

Tel: 02-575-1057-8, Fax: 02-575-1054

Bring the legalized marriage certificate to the Embassy for authentication. Make an appointment for a notarial to authenticate the marriage certificate. The notarial fee is $50 per

seal.

This last step is important if you wish to register your marriage in the United States.

NOTE: The U.S. Embassy DOES NOT register marriages and neither do we keep copies of individuals marriage certificates. To register your marriage in the United States, you need to contact the office of the Attorney General of your state of residence in the United States

Edited January 19, 2015 by rin and john

[LostInAK 43]

Checking the Embassy website, it appears things have changed in the past eight years. It does not look like the MFA will want your divorce decree, but the Amphur might.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/mobile//service/marriage

A legal marriage in Thailand consists of both parties registering their marriage in person with the local Thai Amphur (Civil Registry Office). The United States does recognize the validity of such a marriage. For American citizens marrying either Thai citizens or another American citizen, the procedure is the same. For Americans marrying a third-country national, their prospective spouse must also follow a similar procedure with their own embassy.

Procedure

Complete an affidavit at the U.S. Embassy. The affidavit form, available in our office or you may download a copy of the form here (PDF 42KB), includes all of the information required by relevant Thai law. The form must be completed and notarized at the Embassy. The notarial fee is $50 per seal. Make an appointment for a notary service.

Have the notarized affidavit translated. List of translators in the Bangkok area (PDF 50KB).

Take the affidavit and translation to:

Legalization Division

Department of Consular Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3rd Floor, 123 Chaeng Wattana Road

Tung Song Hong, Laksi District, Bangkok

Tel: 02-575-1057-8, Fax: 02-575-1054

NOTE: this office is located in a northern suburb of Bangkok, approximately 30 minutes drive from the Embassy.

Take the affidavit and supporting documents to a local Amphur and register yourselves as married. The Amphur will also require the following documents:

Your U.S. passport;

Identification for the other party, such as a Thai citizen's identification card; If either party is under the age of twenty, written permission from the parents with Thai translation);

If either you or your fiance have been previously married the Amphur will want to see proof that prior marriages have been terminated. Divorce or death certificates should suffice. These documents, if available, should be translated into Thai prior to presentation at the Amphur.

The Amphurs office will provide a marriage certificate. Have the marriage certificate translated and take it for legalization at:

Legalization Division

Department of Consular Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3rd Floor, 123 Chaeng Wattana Road

Tung Song Hong, Laksi District, Bangkok

Tel: 02-575-1057-8, Fax: 02-575-1054

Bring the legalized marriage certificate to the Embassy for authentication. Make an appointment for a notarial to authenticate the marriage certificate. The notarial fee is $50 per

seal.

This last step is important if you wish to register your marriage in the United States.

NOTE: The U.S. Embassy DOES NOT register marriages and neither do we keep copies of individuals marriage certificates. To register your marriage in the United States, you need to contact the office of the Attorney General of your state of residence in the United States