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14th Mar 2010

Can Two Foreigners Marry in Thailand?

Posted by : admin

An often asked question among foreign nationals in Thailand is: Can we get married in Thailand? More often, the question is posed with some variation. For example: Can two Americans get married in Thailand? Or, can two Canadians get married in Thailand? Finally, a common question: my fiancee is British (or any other nationality) and I’m an American, can we get married in Thailand? All of these questions can be answered relatively quickly: Yes, provided all parties meet the legal requirements.

Thailand marriage registration can be very quick when compared to certain common law jurisdictions. In many States in the USA, there is a statutorily prescribed waiting period between marriage license obtainment and marriage solemnization. In Thailand, there is no such delay. In many ways, the Thai civil administration system is much more streamlined when compared to the common law system, particularly that of the United States. In the US, the separation of powers and federalism create a system in which different sovereigns have different methods of registering a marriage. In Thailand, the system is uniform and marriage records are kept at the local Amphur Office (or Civil Registrar’s Office). The Amphur keeps copies of Marriage Registration information as well as household registration information known as a Tabien Baan.

Obtaining a household registration for a foreigner (known as a Foreign Tabien Baan or a Yellow Tabien Baan) can be difficult, but marriage registration for foreign nationals really depends upon the country of nationality. Thai officials require that foreigners prove their marital status by obtaining documentation from their Embassy or Consulate that is accredited to Thailand. For those from common law jurisdictions it can be relatively easy to obtain such documentation, but other civil law jurisdictions can cause difficulties. It may be best for those interested in registering a marriage in Thailand to check with their Embassy or Consulate to ascertain how long it would take to obtain certain necessary documentation (Most notably, an affidavit of an ability to marry).

Although it is not something that some people wish to discuss at the time of marriage, the issue of divorce in Thailand is important. Thai Courts may or may not take jurisdiction over a divorce involving two foreign individuals married in Thailand and therefore jurisdiction for a later divorce proceeding may depend upon other factors. Finally, in any conversation about marriage registration it should be noted that a Thai Prenuptial Agreement will only be enforceable if it is registered at the same time as the marriage.


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more Comments : 31

31 Responses to “Can Two Foreigners Marry in Thailand?”

  1. Family Law In The United States And Thailand | General blog says:
    June 26, 2010 at 10:08 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  2. Getting Married In Thailand Or The USA: An Analysis Of Relevant Legal Issues | Legal - Infowire says:
    June 27, 2010 at 1:16 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  3. Marriage Registration In Thailand And The United States Of America | AutoRoll - Legal says:
    June 28, 2010 at 4:24 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  4. Family Law In The United States And Thailand says:
    June 28, 2010 at 6:51 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  5. Getting Married In Thailand Or The USA: An Analysis Of Relevant Legal Issues | Legal - Article Flash says:
    June 28, 2010 at 8:20 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  6. Marriage Registration In Thailand And The USA | Legal - Info Source says:
    June 29, 2010 at 1:36 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  7. Marriage Registration In Thailand And The USA | Legal - Report Universe says:
    June 30, 2010 at 11:45 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  8. Marriage Registration In Thailand And The United States Of America | Legal - Report Pulse says:
    June 30, 2010 at 10:24 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  9. Marriage Registration In Thailand And The United States Of America | Legal - Source Central says:
    July 1, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  10. Getting Married In Thailand Or The USA: An Analysis Of Relevant Legal Issues | Legal - InfoBuzz says:
    July 1, 2010 at 9:14 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  11. Family Law In The US And Thailand | Legal - Top Source says:
    July 2, 2010 at 6:40 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  12. Marriage In The United States Versus Thailand | Legal - Idea Flash says:
    July 2, 2010 at 11:22 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  13. Marriage In The United States Versus Thailand | Legal - Report Pulse says:
    July 2, 2010 at 8:04 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  14. Marriage Registration In Thailand And The United States Of America says:
    July 3, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  15. Family Law In The United States And Thailand | Legal - Info Chat says:
    July 4, 2010 at 8:03 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  16. Family Law In The United States Of America And The Kingdom Of Thailand | Legal - Blog Scoop says:
    July 4, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  17. Family Law In The United States And Thailand | Legal - Topic Flash says:
    July 4, 2010 at 7:21 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  18. Family Law In The US And Thailand | Legal - Topic Flash says:
    July 5, 2010 at 9:30 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  19. Marriage Registration In Thailand And The USA | Legal - Info Chat says:
    July 6, 2010 at 12:23 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  20. Family Law In The US And Thailand | Legal - Repository Central says:
    July 7, 2010 at 7:41 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  21. Family Law In The US And Thailand says:
    July 7, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  22. Marriage Registration In Thailand And The United States Of America | Legal - Idea Sphere says:
    July 8, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  23. Marriage In The United States Versus Thailand | Legal - Topic Pulse says:
    July 9, 2010 at 5:32 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  24. Family Law In The United States And Thailand | Legal - Guide Source says:
    July 11, 2010 at 10:23 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  25. Getting Married In Thailand Or The USA: An Analysis Of Relevant Legal Issues | Legal - Scoop Central says:
    July 11, 2010 at 11:46 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  26. Marriage In The United States Versus Thailand says:
    July 12, 2010 at 1:03 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  27. Family Law In The United States And Thailand | Legal - Idea Flash says:
    July 12, 2010 at 6:31 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  28. Marriage In The United States Versus Thailand | Legal - Report Universe says:
    July 12, 2010 at 6:27 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  29. Legal – Easier Information » Blog Archive » Family Law In The United States And Thailand says:
    July 30, 2010 at 9:44 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  30. The Law Diary » Family Law In The United States Of America And The Kingdom Of Thailand says:
    July 31, 2010 at 4:48 am

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

  31. Family Law In The US And Thailand | legal blog says:
    August 23, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    [...] Thailand marriage registration is a major issue in the field of Thai Family Law, the following article is a brief overview of the various issues associated with marriage in Thailand. [...]

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