Reader Question: How can we get married in Thailand (Bangkok)?

Look before you leap. After 10 years of marriage, the last few years of which she lived side by side divorced and now a single father of the 7-year-old child she wanted so badly. With a new partner, the next one is on its way.

Make sure she learns the language quickly and continues vocational training in the Netherlands through MOG in The Hague. Don't waste a lot of time integrating and obtaining the A2 level. No employer wants that. Let her start an MBO 1 course as soon as possible. After a year of MBO 2, another year of MBO 3. It can go that fast. If her English is not yet that good, I recommend a few months of intensive courses with the British Council. It also pays off in increased self-confidence to learn another language. There is a lot on this blog about the paperwork required to get married there. It's not difficult, but it's a lot. Make sure you receive the correct papers from the official in BKK for registration in NL.

It has been written about many times on this blog. Information can also be found on the embassy's website, even in two variants. I myself got married to a Thai in Thailand last week.

You can make an appointment on the website of the embassy using the new appointment system. From the Netherlands you bring an international birth certificate and an extract from the population register showing that you are unmarried. For completeness, you can bring proof of income.

Complete the forms at the embassy. Data from the partners, data from two random witnesses in the Netherlands and income data. Then pay THB 2180.–. Something that is not clearly stated anywhere. The elaborated and stamped forms must then be translated and legalized.

For the translation and legalization we went to Miss Naruemol Ketsamran (Mon), she has an office around the corner. Her number is 085-06088558. We paid about THB 3600 for translating the forms and legalization at foreign affairs. The papers were then sent to Chiang Mai.

The next step is the district office where you can get married. Report to the office with the translated and legalized papers, a birth certificate of the woman and two witnesses. The two witnesses must bring their ID card and fill out a form. Come back to sign the processed forms. And then come back again to pick up the marriage certificate. The costs for getting married were TBH 100 and for the red folder for the marriage certificates THB 200.

My wife wanted to use my name so the next day another trip to the district office where a deed was drawn up, the blue book was updated and a new ID card issued.

Our marriage certificate and my wife's birth certificate still need to be translated by Mon. And legalized by foreign affairs and embassy. This will cost around THB 10.000. As soon as I have these papers at home I can register them through the Municipality in The Hague so that we are also married under Dutch law.

The prices for translation and legalization were a bit disappointing to me, but otherwise it all seems more hassle than it actually is.

Good luck, Jacques

In the whole story and in every well-intentioned advice, I miss the drawing up of a “prenuptial agreement” or “marriage contract”… However, this is of paramount importance. You can obtain the text for this from a notary, also in the Netherlands, who can have you translated through a recognized translation agency in Thailand (consult your embassy for this). BEFORE the marriage takes place, this certificate must be executed; this can be done at the embassy. A clause must be included in the contract showing that your intended party has taken note of the contents and has understood this in the presence of 2 witnesses who co-sign. If your fiancé is still just as enthusiastic about this, then I wish you the best of luck... However, if you decide to get married without a contract, realize that in the event of a divorce you will lose at least half of your assets to her... and then you are certainly not the only one...

Dear Frans, if you want to bring your girlfriend to the Netherlands, you don't necessarily have to get married first. See earlier response from Rob V. For the IND or the Dutch government, it is important whether there is a lasting relationship. You will have to demonstrate this to the IND in due course when applying for TEV.
It is much easier to invest all your time, attention and energy in starting the TEV procedure. Look for the file Immigration Thai partner.
You then marry in the Netherlands in due course. If you still find it necessary. A partner registration is also possible. Remember that a legal marriage, both in Thailand and in the Netherlands, entitles your partner to 50% of all your goods, resources and pensions.