Thailand marriage registration for Chinese nationals is possible whether you are marrying a Thai citizen, another Chinese, or a citizen of a different foreign nationality. But as with every nationality, there are some special considerations you will need to keep in mind when marrying in Thailand as a Chinese national.

Thailand marriage registration for Chinese citizens in particular is difficult, as there are many steps and forms that may be required depending on your circumstances, and the PRC government frequently alters its requirements. As such, it is recommended that you begin this process well in advance of your planned wedding.

Affirmation of Freedom to Marry

All foreign citizens, including those with valid visas, need to provide an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry. This document confirms that you or your foreign fiance are not already married, are of legal age in their home country, and have no impediments to joining you in matrimony. Only the Chinese government can confirm this, so you must go to the Chinese Embassy to get this document.

At the Chinese Embassy, this is sometimes referred to as an "Unmarried Statement" and requires an official stamp.

Things to keep in mind:

• To acquire this document in Thailand, the Chinese Embassy requires you to be a holder of a non-immigrant Thai visa. These are long-term visas as opposed to tourist visas. Examples include the Thai Business Visa, the Thai Retirement Visa, and the Thailand LTR Visa.
• You may be required to translate this document into English.
• You will need two witnesses present when you sign the Unmarried Statement, and will need to provide copies of their IDs to the embassy as well as a copy of your fiance’s ID.
• Contact your embassy ahead of time to double-check their rules on providing this affidavit. The process and fees may change over time, so get the most up-to-date information from the source.
• You may need to make an appointment.
• Bring your passport with you as proof of identity, and any evidence that any previous marriages have been dissolved/terminated such as a divorce decree or a death certificate.
• These services are only available to Chinese citizens.
• Once you have the Unmarried Statement, it will need to be notarized. A copy of that notarized document will then need to be attested to by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which may require it to be sent to the province where the Chinese national is registered.

Due to the difficulty and complexity of acquiring an Unmarried Statement from the Chinese Embassy, it may be simpler and easier to acquire one from their local government officials in China. You can then get it legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before traveling to Thailand to get married.

Translation and Authentication of the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry

Once the affidavit signifying you are able to marry has been signed, it will need to be translated into Thai to be acceptable by the Thai authorities. You will also need certified translations of any divorce or death certificates to act as proof of freedom to marry. Please note that the Consular Section does not prepare or translate documents.

Visit our translation page to learn more about translating documents in Thailand.

The Chinese Consular Official's signature and all Thai translations must also be authenticated by the Thai government. Fortunately, a certified translator can also perform this task for you.

Registering a Thai Marriage as a Chinese Citizen

Bring all documents as well as copies of your passport biodata page, Thai visa, and arrival card (if applicable) to the local district office when you go to register your marriage. Also, bring any proof of payment for any translation, legalization, and registration fees required for any of these documents and their translations.

If your partner is Thai, they will need to bring their ID card and house registration. If they are under 20 years old, you will need written permission from their parents.

You will also need to bring 2 witnesses to view your registration, though for a fee the district office may provide you with witnesses if needed.

Present the documents to the registrar, pay a small fee, and then complete and sign all forms the registrar requires of you. If you have a Thai prenuptial agreement, now is the time to enter it into the official record, so inform the registrar if you have one.

Important Reminders When Getting Married in Thailand as a Chinese National

• A religious ceremony on its own is not sufficient. Only registration at a district office (AKA "Amphur" or "Khet") will provide a legal marriage certificate.
• Approval of your marriage registration is at the discretion of each individual Registrar. Most Registrars will be satisfied with an Affirmation of Freedom of Marry, but they may require additional documents.
• The marriage certificate you receive from the district office will be in Thai only. You may wish to commission a "sworn translation" of the marriage certificate from a certified translator so that you may register it with your embassy and use the document for legal purposes in China.
• The Consular Section can arrange for your marriage to be recorded in China. This is not a legal obligation, but it is an easy way to have your marriage registered back home and may be helpful if you lose your marriage certificate.
• Please note that a foreign national, Thai or otherwise, does not automatically acquire Chinese citizenship through marriage to a Chinese national.
• If you are marrying a Thai national, they will require a Chinese tourist visa to visit or a Chinese spouse visa if the plan is to settle back home.
• If you marry a Thai citizen or a foreigner with residency in Thailand, you are eligible for a Thai Marriage Visa.

Secure Your Thai Marriage Registration and Visas With Siam Legal

If you’re dreaming of a wedding in Thailand and don’t want red tape to get in the way of your big day, contact Siam Legal’s marriage consultants. We’re a full-service law firm and visa consultancy in operation for over 20 years, so we have a deep understanding of the laws governing marriage in Thailand, Thai visas, and Chinese visas.

Our knowledgeable advisors will answer all your questions and walk you through each step of the marriage registration process in Thailand, ensuring you have all the required documents and that they are prepared correctly. This way, you can get your marriage registered swiftly and smoothly so you can focus on your wedding ceremony and what lies ahead.

Once you’ve tied the knot, our immigration consultants can assist you with applying for a Thai visa if you’re planning on staying in the Kingdom with your spouse, or help your foreign partner apply for a Chinese spouse visa if you want to settle back home.

Let Siam Legal’s experienced team handle the legalities so you can enjoy a seamless and stress-free transition to married life.

Marriage Registration by Nationality