Thailand Marriage Registration for South African Nationals is possible whether you are marrying a Thai citizen, another fellow South African, 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 South African national.

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 South African government can confirm this, so you must go to the South African Embassy to get this document.

Unfortunately, the South African Embassy requires several extra steps to acquire this document. You may need a "Letter of No Impediment to Marriage" from the Department of Home Affairs back in South Africa, which needs to be certified by DIRCO. It then needs to be stamped by the Thai Embassy in South Africa.

As such, it will probably be easier to obtain this document while in South Africa before traveling to Thailand.

• Contact your embassy ahead of time to double-check their rules on providing this document. 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 death certificate.
• This service is only available for South African citizens.

Translation and Authentication of the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry

Once the affirmation 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 undertake the preparation or translation of documents.

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

The South African 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 South African 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 the district office may provide you with witnesses for a fee 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 South African National

• The South African Embassy in Bangkok is not authorized to perform marriages.
• 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 use it for legal purposes elsewhere.
• There is no provision for the registration of the marriage of a South African citizen solemnized in a foreign country.
• However, the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa may be informed of the marriage. This will ensure that the marital status and surname of a South African citizen, if it has changed, are updated on the Population Register.
• If you wish to register your Thai marriage in South Africa, it is likely you will need to travel there to do so.
• Please note that a foreign national, Thai or otherwise, does not automatically acquire South African citizenship through marriage to a South African national.
• If you are marrying a Thai national, they will require a tourist visa to visit South Africa or a South African 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 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 South African 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 South African 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.

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Marriage Registration by Nationality