Marriage Law in Thailand: What should  Foreigners know about it?

Getting married is a really special thing, and if you’re an expat getting married in Thailand, you’ll need to know what the marriage law in Thailand says. The island is beautiful and has lots of different cultures, so even if you get married in a big city like Bangkok, it’ll be unforgettable.

But getting married in a different country can also be tricky for an expat, as the marriage law in Thailand can be difficult to understand for a foreigner. Thaat’s why, Andaman Apex is here to help you.

Marriage Law in Thailand: What Do Foreigners Need? 

Foreigners who wish to get married in Thailand need to meet certain requirements under the marriage law in Thailand. Here are the key points:

• Both the man and woman must be at least 17 years old to marry.
• If either party is under 20 years old, they may need parental consent.
• You’ll need a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) or similar document confirming that you’re free to marry and that there are no legal barriers.
• If a woman is divorced or widowed, she must wait 310 days before remarrying.
• Specific documents are usually required for foreigners to marry in Thailand. It’s important to check the latest requirements with the local district office (Amphoe) where you plan to register your marriage.

What Are Some of the Cultural Practices for Marriage?

There’s usually a traditional ceremony according to marriage law in Thailand where the groom’s family formally asks the bride’s family for permission to marry. They might give gifts, like Thai gold or money, as a sign of respect. Then, the bride’s family will talk about how much the dowry, known as ‘Sin Sod,’ should be.

Sin Sod is a traditional custom of marriage law in Thailand where the groom’s family gives money or gifts to the bride’s family when they get married. It’s a way of showing respect and appreciation to the bride’s family for raising her. The amount of Sin Sod can vary depending on factors like the families’ wealth and social status, but it’s meant to symbolise the groom’s commitment to taking care of the bride.

What is Sin-Sod?

Some foreigners might see ‘Sin Sod’ as the first culture shock of the marriage law in Thailand, because there is no dowry in Western wedding traditions. But what exactly does ‘Sin Sod’ stand for from then and now? 

1. Assurance for the Bride: Sin Sod is an old tradition that started when arranged marriages were common. It was a way for the groom’s family to promise the bride’s family that they would take care of her financially. Even though marriage law in Thailand aren’t common now, Sin Sod is still done to honor tradition.

2. Thank You to the Bride’s Parents: Sin Sod is also a way for the groom’s family to say thank you to the bride’s parents for raising her. In Thailand, families are very important, so giving Sin Sod is like giving a gift to show appreciation for the bride’s upbringing.

3. Status Symbol: Sin Sod can also show the social and financial status of both families. The amount of Sin Sod given can show how wealthy or respected the families are in the community. Some families might give a lot of money, while others might give less, depending on their situation. For example, for many middle-class couples, Sin Sod could be over 100,000 THB.

How to Get Married Legally in Thailand?

Here is a detailed list of things that you’ll need to know or have in hand when you are getting married in Thailand.

Legal Requirements

Understand the legal requirements for marriage in Thailand, including age restrictions, consent requirements, and any necessary documentation.

1. Age: You have to be old enough to get married. In Thailand, that usually means being at least 17 years old.

2. Consent: If you’re under 20 years old, you might need permission from your parents to get married.

3. Documents: You need certain documents to prove you’re allowed to get married. This might include things like a certificate saying you’re free to marry and there are no legal problems.

• Passport
• Affirmation of Freedom to Marry
• Translation and Legalisation
• Proof of Identity and Residence
• Divorce or Death Certificate

4. Registration: When you get married, you have to register it at the local government office where the wedding happens. They’ll ask for some paperwork, and once everything’s done, you’ll get a marriage certificate.

Marriage Registration

Know the process for registering a marriage in Thailand, including the required paperwork and procedures. Marriage registration must be done at the local district office (Amphoe) where the marriage took place.

1. Go to the Local Office: First, they have to go to the local government office, called the district office or Amphoe, where they want to get married. It’s kind of like going to a special office for weddings.

2. Bring Documents: They need to bring some important documents with them, like their passports, birth certificates, and any other paperwork the office asks for. These documents prove they’re allowed to get married.

3. Fill Out Forms: At the office, they’ll have to fill out some forms with their personal information, like their names, ages, and where they’re from.

4. Get Married: Then, they have a ceremony where they officially get married. Sometimes, they have to say some words or exchange rings, but it depends on the couple and their beliefs.

5. Get a Certificate: After the ceremony, the couple gets a special piece of paper called a marriage certificate. 

Legal Recognition

Making sure your marriage is legally recognized means that it’s official and accepted both in Thailand and in your home country. Here’s what that involves:

1. Marriage Certificate: After you get married, you’ll receive a marriage certificate from the Thai government. This document proves that you’re legally married.

2. Authentication or Legalisation: Depending on the rules in your home country, you might need to do some extra steps to make sure the marriage certificate is accepted there. This could involve getting the certificate authenticated or legalised by the Thai government or your country’s embassy in Thailand.

Prenuptial Agreements

Before you get married, you might want to consider making a special agreement with your partner. It’s called a prenuptial agreement. This agreement is like a plan to protect your money and things in case you ever split up. It’s a good idea to talk about this with your partner and decide if you want to make one.

Cultural and Religious Considerations

When you’re getting married in Thailand, it’s important to respect each other’s traditions. This means learning about and honouring the customs or practices that are important to your partner and their family. Take some time to learn about these traditions and talk about how you want to include them in your wedding.

Visa and Immigration Implications

If you’re marrying someone from Thailand, it can affect your visa or permission to live in Thailand or your home country. You need to understand what you have to do to stay legally in Thailand or bring your partner to your home country. You might need to apply for a special visa or permit, so it’s a good idea to look into the rules and talk to experts if you’re not sure.

Legal Assistance

Before you get married, it’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer who knows about family law in Thailand. They can help you understand what you need to do and what your rights are. They can also help you make a prenuptial agreement if you want one and give you advice if you have any legal problems later on.

Frequently Asked Questions