| Symbolic ceremonies are not legally binding
Thai law states that a wedding ceremony is permitted regardless of actual marital status. Some couples choose to perform the legal part of the wedding in their home countries & then celebrate the symbolic ceremony here with us.
Buddhist, Catholic & Secular ceremonies at The Five Islands are not legal marriages, they are purely symbolic. As are Vow Renewals.
Legal Weddings: Civil Ceremony
Arranging a legal wedding can be involved & will take preparation beforehand. We have summarised the process below with a detailed fact sheet to support this information.
To prepare a fully legal wedding, you will need to go the embassy of your country in Bangkok, to arrange your documents. Most embassy websites have all the information that you will need, with regard to getting your marriage certified in Thailand.
This needs to be arranged ahead of your ceremony on Koh Samui. We have useful contacts to help with all aspects.
The documents will need to be translated into Thai by a certified translator.
You, along with your documents will then come to Koh Samui. We will take the documents to the local Amphur (legal witness / City Hall).
On the late afternoon of the day of the ceremony the local Amphur will attend your ceremony, all relevant documents will be signed off & you will receive your Thai wedding certificate.
These documents will need to be translated into your native tongue. Again we can assist with this requirement.
Once home, you need to visit your local registry office to ensure that your legal Thai marriage is recognized in your country of residence.
For all steps along the way we can offer help & contacts. Importantly, please carefully check all Thai holidays, and your national do check at home before you travel that you have all of the documents that you will need in Thailand.
Please do check at home before you travel that you have all of the documents that you will need in Thailand.
Timing:
Approximately a working week is needed for the documentation process in Bangkok. For the bride & groom only 2 working days are needed in Bangkok, the rest can be managed by our contacts there.
On Samui we need 3 working days to prepare paperwork.
Importantly, please carefully check all Thai holidays, & your countries national holidays before you travel as Thai offices & your Embassy will close accordingly on these days.
|
