| The first thing to do is to check your country's | | | | The next place you have to go to is the Thai |
| Thailand Embassy website to get the latest | | | | Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The lady at the |
| information on marriage requirements. I am from | | | | U.S. Embassy was nice enough to provide taxi |
| the United States, so this is written from an | | | | instructions in English and Thai for me. You will |
| American's perspective. Your experience may | | | | most likely be approached by someone offering |
| vary slightly. | | | | translation services. Ignore them and get in a taxi |
| At your country's Embassy website, there should | | | | for the MFA. |
| be instructions and some forms to download and | | | | The taxi ride is fairly long to the Chaeng Wattana |
| print out. Make sure these are properly filled out | | | | Immigration building. Once you arrive and go |
| but do not sign if the form requires a notary. | | | | through security, head for the food court, and |
| I downloaded two forms. One was an affirmation | | | | you will again be approached by one of many |
| stating that it was legal for me to get married in | | | | offering translation services. The going rate is 300 |
| Thailand. The other was an affidavit stating that I | | | | Thai baht or about $10. This takes about 30 |
| had never married or if I had, I would have to | | | | minutes to have your two forms translated. |
| provide the documentation that I was divorced or | | | | Enjoy some Thai food. |
| my spouse was deceased. You will need | | | | The next stop is the Legalization Division on the |
| documentary evidence. | | | | third floor of the MFA building. Pay the 800 Thai |
| At the American Embassy you can either make | | | | baht or about $25 for one day service. We hand |
| an appointment or walk in and take a number. I | | | | in our English and Thai forms and are told to |
| opted for the appointment. | | | | come back in two hours. It actually takes about 3 |
| Plan to spend an entire day getting through all the | | | | and 1/2 hours but we are done here. |
| bureaucracy. Your future spouse may tell you | | | | You still have one more step to make it all legal. |
| that it is impossible to get everything done in one | | | | You need to register at one of the Civil Registry |
| day on your own. He or she will insist that you | | | | Offices (Amphurs). My almost wife decided on the |
| need to use the services of an agency that will | | | | Bangrak Amphur as the Thai word "rak" means |
| cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000. Do not listen | | | | "love". Another taxi ride and we check in at the |
| to this. | | | | Amphur. |
| Arrive at your appointment early. If no | | | | Our documents are copied, checked, stamped and |
| appointment, get to the Embassy one hour prior | | | | filed a total of 6 times. We actually had to go to |
| to opening. Lines can be extremely long and most | | | | six different desks to have the same thing done |
| likely you will have to go through a security check | | | | over and over. |
| similar to that at an airport. Leave unnecessary | | | | We finally made it to the last desk and paid our |
| items in the hotel. | | | | 40 Thai baht or about $1.25 and we were legally |
| For me, I arrived at 8:00 A.M. for a 9:00 A.M. | | | | wed. The traditional ceremony, party and |
| appointment and was seen promptly at 9:00. I | | | | reception would follow in a week. |
| handed over the two forms and was told to go | | | | Total cost for the registration was approximately |
| to the cashier and pay for the notary and then | | | | 3,000 Thai baht or approximately $100 and we |
| come back with the receipt. This cost 1,020 Thai | | | | were finished by 4:00 P.M. the same day. So, you |
| baht, or about $30. | | | | can get legally married in Thailand in one day and |
| Five minutes later, I had my forms and was | | | | not have to use the services of any agency. |
| headed out the door. | | | | |