What do I need to arrange if I want to marry in Thailand?
If you are a Dutch national planning to marry in Thailand, you will need to provide certain documents. And you may need to meet extra requirements.
Can I get married in Thailand?
Ask the organisation that you want to perform the marriage whether the rules in Thailand allow you to marry there as a Dutch national.
Same-sex couples cannot get married in Thailand.
Marriages are performed at a Thai district office. You cannot get married at the Dutch embassy.
Requirements for getting married for Dutch nationals
If you are a Dutch national and you want to marry, you must meet the following requirements:
- You and your partner must be 18 or older. If you are under 18 and you marry abroad, the Dutch authorities will not recognise your marriage until you and your partner are both 18.
- You and your partner must not already be married to or have a registered partnership with someone else.
- If you are under guardianship, you will need the permission of your guardian or of the limited jurisdiction judge (‘kantonrechter’).
- The following family members are not allowed to marry each other or enter into a registered partnership with each other: parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and brothers and sisters.
What documents do I need to marry in Thailand?
To get married in Thailand you will need the following documents:
Complete the application form for a declaration of marital status and make an appointment at the Dutch embassy.
Make an appointment using the online appointment system. Your non-Dutch partner does not need to come to the appointment.
This document must be translated to Thai this and legalised by the Thai Foreign Ministry.
A declaration of marital status shows that you are unmarried. To get this document, you will need to submit a number of other documents.
More information about applying for a declaration of marital status
To get married in Thailand, you will need a declaration concerning witnesses and income. Complete and print the form. On the form you must stat two witnesses. These witnesses do not need to be present at the wedding.
Sign the form at the Dutch embassy. You will need to have you signature legalised by the embassy.
Download a declaration concerning witnesses and income
This document must be translated to Thai this and legalised by the Thai Foreign Ministry.
To get married in Thailand you will need a valid passport and a photocopy. Have the photocopy of your passport legalised at the Dutch embassy. An ID card will not be accepted.
Is my marriage valid in the Netherlands?
Marriages performed in Thailand are recognised in the Netherlands. But you must have your marriage certificate legalised.
Do I have to register my marriage in the Netherlands?
You may need to register your marriage in the Netherlands. This depends on where you live.
If you live in the Netherlands, you must register your marriage with your municipality. You will need your marriage certificate to do this. Ask for a multilingual marriage certificate. This document does not need to be translated or legalised. First have your marriage certificate legalised.
More information about having documents from Thailand legalised
If you live outside the Netherlands, you can have your marriage certificate converted into a Dutch certificate by the municipality of The Hague. This is not mandatory, but it can be useful if you ever need an extract in the future.
More information about registering a foreign marriage certificate in the Netherlands