By Nationality — Embassy Requirements and Using the Thai Certificate Abroad

At least two witnesses of legal age must sign the marriage register (Kor Ror 2). The law sets no nationality requirement — foreigners may witness on presentation of a passport — but a witness should understand what they are signing. Some offices will let staff witness if you arrive alone; ask in advance.

Thailand has acceded to the HCCH 1961 Apostille Convention, which enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. Until then, Thai documents for overseas use still need the two-step chain: certification by the Department of Consular Affairs, then legalisation by the destination country's embassy. Follow official notices at consular.mfa.go.th and hcch.net.

A child of a Thai father or mother acquires Thai nationality by descent under the Nationality Act, whether born inside or outside Thailand. Holding the other nationality at the same time depends on that country's law; many permit it, and the consular report of birth is the key step towards a second passport.

The US Embassy in Bangkok does not issue a certificate of single status. Instead you sign an Affidavit of Freedom to Marry before a consular officer at a pre-booked notarial appointment. The affidavit is then translated into Thai and the translation legalised by the Legalization Division of the Department of Consular Affairs before you file at any district office. Consular fees are payable in USD or THB at the published rate.

The British Embassy no longer issues CNIs for use in Thailand. Current practice is to swear an affirmation or statutory declaration through the provider the embassy designates, or obtain a CNI from a UK register office if you are resident there. Either document must be translated into Thai and the translation legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs before the district office will accept it.

A statutory declaration of marital status signed before an Australian consular officer in Thailand or an authorised witness in Australia, plus a divorce order or death certificate if previously married. All documents are translated into Thai and legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs. To use the Thai marriage certificate back in Australia, have it MFA-legalised and translated by a NAATI-certified translator.

The German Embassy issues a certificate of no impediment only after reviewing German records such as a full birth certificate, a residence registration extract and any divorce judgment. That review can take several weeks to months, so start early. Once issued, the certificate must be translated into Thai and legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs before filing at the district office.

Yes. The French Embassy requires an application, a certificat de capacité à mariage and publication of banns for the prescribed period before the certificate is issued. After registering the marriage in Thailand, submit the Thai marriage certificate to the embassy for transcription so the marriage is recorded in the French civil registry.

Yes. The Japanese national files a Kon-in Todoke together with a Japanese translation of the Thai marriage certificate at the Japanese Embassy in Thailand or a municipal office in Japan, within the prescribed period, so the marriage is entered in the family register (koseki). Without it the marriage will not appear in Japanese records, which affects spouse visa applications.

Either a single-status certificate issued by the Chinese registry authority and authenticated (China joined the Apostille Convention in November 2023, so an apostille is accepted) or a declaration made at the Chinese Embassy in Thailand. It is then translated into Thai and legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs. To use the Thai marriage certificate in China, have it MFA-legalised and then authenticated by the Chinese Embassy.

The Russian party obtains a status declaration at the Russian Embassy in Bangkok or the Consulate General in Phuket, then has it translated into Thai and legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs. To use the Thai marriage certificate in Russia, translate it into Russian, obtain Thai MFA legalisation, and then have it authenticated by the Russian Embassy — Thailand is not yet an Apostille member, so the two-step chain always applies.

Yes. Obtain a single status or no-objection certificate from the Indian Embassy in Bangkok or the Consulate General in Chiang Mai, with your passport and proof of address. Translate it into Thai and have the translation legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs. Afterwards, MFA-legalise and embassy-authenticate the Thai marriage certificate if it will be used for an Indian spouse visa or registry filing.

After registering at the Thai district office, file a marriage report (혼인신고) with a certified Korean translation of the Thai marriage certificate at the Korean Embassy in Thailand or a district office in Korea. The Korean family relations register is then updated, which is a prerequisite for an F-6 spouse visa for the Thai partner.

Yes. Have the foreign marriage certificate authenticated (apostille or Thai embassy legalisation), translated into Thai, the translation legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs, then file a family status record (Kor Ror 22) at a district office. Only then can you change your title and surname and rely fully on Thai marital property and inheritance rules.

With complete documents and a legalised translation, registrars usually complete it within the same day to a few working days. If you are abroad you may appoint a relative or agent by power of attorney executed at a Thai embassy or consulate, or prepared in Thailand with a copy of the grantor's ID.

There is no government fee for registering at the district office itself. The main costs are the foreign embassy's consular fee (roughly THB 1,000-4,000 depending on nationality), translation at about THB 500-1,000 per page, Department of Consular Affairs legalisation at THB 200 per document (THB 400 express), and any agency service fee.

Sign an affidavit or statutory declaration of marital status before your consular officer in Thailand, or before a notary at home with an apostille. The document is then translated into Thai and the translation legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs before the district office will accept it. Most documents are treated as current for three to six months, so plan the sequence tightly.

Obtain certified copies from the district office, have them translated into the destination language, legalise the translation at the Department of Consular Affairs, and then either apostille or legalise at the destination embassy depending on that country's rules. Many civil-law countries also require the marriage to be recorded with their own civil registry before spousal visa rights apply.

To make the marriage visible in the Thai civil registration system you file a family status record (Kor Ror 22) at a district office, supported by the foreign marriage certificate, legalised in its country of issue, translated into Thai and legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs. This step matters for property transactions, inheritance and spousal visa applications in Thailand.