getting marriage paperwork sorted

[daiwill60]

Hi Guys
I am thinking of getting married at Xmas when I visit Thailand.
I only have from the 23 to 26th of December in Bangkok to sort out the paperwork required.
Can this be done in the time I have allocated (bearing in mind that it will be Xmas week) so that we can get the paperwork rquired to take to an Amphor office to register the marriage.
Thanks
DaiWill

[caller]

I would suggest you check the Embassy opening times first. If they're shut over that period, then that's an end to it.

The affirmation thing is handed in one day, then collected the next, then needs to be translated, then taken to the Thai ministry to get authorised. A few years ago did the lot in 3 days, with the translation company taking the docs to the Thai ministry.

[PET]

I would think the Embassy is open on 23 December but you should check.

In view of your time restrictions I suggest you use :-
Worldwide Visa & Translation Service Co Ltd
e-mail worldwidevisa2005@yahoo.co.th
Mobile (0) 89 172 9819

Their offices are 5 minutes from the British Embassy and they are a first class company.

Their total cost to cover all fees at Embassy, Dept of Consular Affairs and Registrar fees will be around Bht11,000.

You will need to see them early am on 23rd to be able to complete the Affirmation and go to the embassy between 0800 - 1100. This will enable the company to go to the Consular Affairs that day and collect the certification on the morning of 25th. They will then take you to the Registrar and you will be all finished by lunch time.

This is the quickest possible way I know, and as the fees to the Embassy and registrar are around Bht6,000 it is a good deal which takes all the hassle out of your hands.

IMO you could not do this yourself in the time frame you have stated.

[Big Boy]

Dai,

If you're the Dai I spoke to at the temple last Sunday, have a word with Peter before committing to such an agency.

If you're not the same Dai, please dis-regard this post.

[Spitfire]

As Caller said, possible in 3 days but you'd have to have your act together and know what you are doing and where to go. Embassy opening times might interject in the plans over Xmas. If you are not sure of what to do then go down the company service route, I did it all on my own to save money but you have to know what to do/where to go.

[Governor]

The Embassy is open on the 23rd from 08.00 until 11.00 and from 13.00 until 15.15 and on the 24th from 08.00 until 12.00, so depending on the time of your arrival in Bangkok you could feasibly do your affirmation of freedom to marry on the 23rd and collect it on the 24th, though if you are able to submit it before 11.00 on the 23rd you could collect the letter after lunch. You could prepare everything in advance, all the info is on their website and it will currently cost you 2,834 THB. http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help- ... -marriage/ The Embassy opens after the Christmas holiday on the 28th.

As others have indicated you need to get the affirmation translated and submitted to the MFA, an agent would be the easiest way of doing this, I certainly did this, there are numerous agents near the embassy, I don't recall paying anything like the fee quoted. I personally would do the embassy bit myself and then find an agent. Though Christmas isn't really celebrated in Thailand the MFA will be closed on 25th & 26th as it's a weekend.

What sort of marriage are you considering, you don't need the paperwork for a hotel or temple ceremony, they are just that, a ceremony. You only need the paperwork for the Amphur because it's only there that you are legally married, I have known people go through the ceremony without the paperwork and then do legal stuff a few days later, not ideal but an option.

[lomuamart]

Good advice from caller and others.
Unless the British Embassy has changed their consular operating hours, it's ask for something in the morning on the first day, pay money at the same time and collect whatever the next day in the afternoon. So, it's two days.
Once I had that affirmation, I did all the Thai procedure myself. The translation sevice near the Embassy offered to do for me, at a price. I can't remember how much.
I was happier getting on the skytrain to On Nut, getting a taxi from there to the place on Chaeng Wattana and waiting a bit.
And timings? Well it's Xmas and the Thais will celebrate that as well. So public holidays are the thing to watch..
In my opinion, you should go yourself. Pay a bit more for a "fast track service", and be somewhere different. You can get food etc etc etc there. It really is easy.
Take a look here for the Thai holidays:
http://www.tourismhuahin.com/holidays-huahin.php

[lomuamart]

Our posts crossed, Governor.

[Governor]

Unless the British Embassy has changed their consular operating hours, it's ask for something in the morning on the first day, pay money at the same time and collect whatever the next day in the afternoon. So, it's two days.

If you submit an application before 11.00 you can now collect after lunch.

[Governor]

And again.

[Jaime]

I concur with the posts above. After a little dedicated research it will be relatively straightforward to do it yourself but you will have to treat it like a military operation and it will take up all of - if not more than - your three days, waiting around and travelling from one office to another. The Khet Prakhanong registry office, the Thai ministry building and the British Embassy are not near each other, although the Sky Train will make things a bit easier than when I did it all.

My own opinion is that taking the time to understand and then experience these processes is a good start when making a lifetime commitment to someone from a totally different culture and from a country which strictly regulates the activities of foreigners.

Then again, if you are in a rush to get hitched and have a spare 11,000 baht then maybe the agency option is the best way to proceed.

Good luck anyway!

[daiwill60]

Dai,

If you're the Dai I spoke to at the temple last Sunday, have a word with Peter before committing to such an agency.

If you're not the same Dai, please dis-regard this post.

I am in deed one and the same
thanks Big Boy, to what i presume is a reference to the agency that cocked up peter's relatives recent appliacation and that is why you suggest i chat with him first.
cheers

[Big Boy]

That's right, although slightly different names, I personally tar them all with the same brush. The difference this time is that they are coming to you recommended by somebody who has had a good experience.

Reading the other replies, and because of the Christmas holiday, you might not have much choice.

My personal recomendation is e-mail the Embassy and get their views on the feasibility. If that fails, e-mail the agency to get their opinion. Whatever happens, Good Luck.