Home / Marriage & Family / Q1015
We married abroad — what should we do in Thailand?
Answered by the family-law team at NYC Visa & Translation
A marriage validly celebrated under the law of the place of celebration is recognised under section 20 of the Conflict of Laws Act B.E. 2481, but Thai civil registration records will not change by themselves. Ask the district office where the Thai spouse is registered to record the family status (Kor Ror 22) under the Family Registration Act B.E. 2478. Bring the foreign marriage certificate legalised in the issuing country (Apostille, or legalisation by the Royal Thai Embassy), translated into Thai with the translation certified by the Department of Consular Affairs. Thailand is not yet a party to the 1961 Apostille Convention, so Thai documents used abroad still need two-step consular legalisation. Ask our Thai family-law team to review your documents by phone, LINE or email before you file.
Based on Book V of the Civil and Commercial Code as amended by the Civil and Commercial Code Amendment Act (No. 24) B.E. 2567 (in force 22 January 2025), the Family Registration Act B.E. 2478, the Child Adoption Act B.E. 2522 and the Immigration Act B.E. 2522, as at August 2026. General information only, not advice on a specific matter — verify current practice with bora.dopa.go.th, consular.mfa.go.th and immigration.go.th.
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Official sources — marriage & family registration
The information on this page follows the official sources below. Always check the latest version before you file.
- Department of Provincial Administration — civil & family registration— Department of Provincial Administration
- Department of Consular Affairs — document legalisation— Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Office of the Council of State — Thai law database— Office of the Council of State
- Office of the Judiciary— Office of the Judiciary
- HCCH — Apostille Convention (5 October 1961) full text & status table— Hague Conference on Private International Law
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