Wedding Legals And Statutory Information

In Thailand

To officially register a marriage in Thailand, a certain amount of paperwork must be completed in Bangkok. Our representative can oversee this process by arranging all necessary appointments and documentation required, as well as providing clients with an English speaking guide and transport to and from Government offices. In most instances, a legal marriage in Thailand is also recognised by authorities in their home country.

The legal marriage registration process is as follows:

A visit to the appropriate Embassy(s) in Bangkok to complete an 'affidavit to marry'. (We will advise as to what documentation clients need to take with them to the embassy as it differs for each nationality).
Both parties will need to complete individual affidavits.
If clients have previously been married, they may also need to complete an additional form verifying their freedom to marry (Additional costs will also be involved)
The completed affidavits will then be translated into Thai.
The forms will then need to be authorised by the Thai Foreign Ministry in Bangkok. (Express Service- usually one day only).
Once all documents are authorised, clients will visit the local government office in Bangkok (Amphur) to complete the legal marriage certificate. They are now legally married!
Their legal marriage certificate (Kor Ror 3) and accompanying documentation (Kor Ror 2) is then translated into English.
The translated legal marriage certificate and accompanying documentation is then authorised by the Thai Foreign Ministry in Bangkok.
Completed and translated legal marriage documents will be forwarded to clients either at their Thailand Hotel or home address.
Please also note: For some nationalities, there may be additional paperwork, costs and embassy requirements to fulfil. We will advise you if this is the case.

This registration process is separate from any religious or spiritual ceremony; therefore, the paperwork must usually be done either before or after the ceremony. The date clients register with the Amphur Office in Bangkok will be the date entered onto their marriage certificate, not necessarily the date of their wedding ceremony. A marriage will be valid under Thai law when it is officially registered with Thai authorities. A valid Thai marriage will then be recognised as a valid marriage in most other countries. If you do not properly register a marriage performed in Thailand with Thai authorities, you are not legally married either in Thailand or your home country (If either party is under the age of 20 written permission from the parents is required with Thai translation)

Please note that all Embassies and Thai Government offices are closed on week-ends and Thai public holidays. Embassies will also be closed on their National holidays.

Depending on the clients chosen Hotel it may be possible to get the Amphur official to attend their Wedding Ceremony (allowing them to spend even less time in Bangkok!) and be legally married on the same day as their Wedding Ceremony. There will be additional costs involved (charged directly by the Hotel-not part of CEA services) and will also be dependent on whether the Hotel is able to organise this. Most Amphur offices will also require the documents 3-5 working days in advance of clients Wedding Ceremony if held at a Hotel outside Bangkok.

Express Legal Marriage Registration Package

Our Express Legal Marriage Registration Package is designed to be completely ‘stress free’ for couples (we do all the running around!) and allows them to leave Bangkok just 2 or 3 days after arriving depending on their nationality. Our service also involves final translation of their marriage certificate into English with authorisation from the Thai Foreign Ministry...

The package includes the following services:

English speaking guide to accompany clients to all appointments with Embassies and Government bodies.
Transfer by taxi between Bangkok hotel and embassy
Transfer by taxi between Bangkok hotel and relevant Thai government office for registering their marriage.
Express processing of all paperwork required for their legal marriage registration, including translation and authorisation of documents.
All fees for translation, authorisation and processing of all documents-Express Service (Not including embassy fees which will vary depending on nationality)
Translation and authorisation of clients Legal Marriage certificate (Kor Ror 3) and accompanying documents (Kor Ror 2) into English for your future use Express Service
Forwarding of your translated legal marriage certificate to clients Bangkok or upcountry hotel or to their Home address by EMS Post.

In Vanuatu

Marriages in Vanuatu are recognised in Australia, New Zealand, the United States the United Kingdom and most other countries.

Unlike Fiji, couples do not have to attend the registry office in person so documentation can be mostly organised prior to departure. Couples do have to be in Vanuatu for three days prior to the ceremony however. Final documentation will take place during this time and it is also handy for the bride and groom to meet the wedding coordinator and choose a location.

Three weeks prior to the ceremony, the following must be faxed for filing:

Copies of both passports
Copies of both birth certificates
If divorced, the relevant papers
A completed Certificate of Intended Marriage
Completed Witness Forms - 2 witnesses are required but the wedding coordinator can organise witnesses if couples don’t have guests with them. Witness details needed include names, dates of birth, where born, parents’ names, place of residence and occupation.

Please contact us if you would like copies of Certificate of Intended Marriage and/or Witness Forms emailed to you.

As a rule, wedding bookings are not accepted on a Sunday, religious or national holidays, but there can be exceptions. Some resorts stipulate documentation must arrive 8 weeks prior to the ceremony but that is more for their own coordination than any legal reason.

In Fiji

Weddings in Fiji are legally recognised in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Unlike a wedding in Vanuatu, you cannot pre-arrange documentation for a Fiji wedding and you must go to the registry office in person to apply for a Marriage Licence before heading to your chosen resort for the ceremony. The District Office is open weekdays from 9am-3pm (excluding Public Holidays) and appointments last around 15 minutes. Offices are in Nadi, Suva, Lautoka and Sigatoka and the cost of application is F$25.00.

You need to have the following documentation with you:

Current passports
Original birth certificates
Divorce papers (if applicable)
Death certificate of former spouse (if applicable)
Parental consent if under 21
Catholic weddings require a letter of Freedom sent 2-3 months in advance to the Fijian Priest along with Baptism Certificates.

The wedding must occur within 28 days of the application.

Also unlike Vanuatu, you are not required to be in the country for 3 days before the ceremony, so this may only mean a night in Nadi before heading to your chosen resort, or a trip up the coast if your chosen resort is on Viti Levu.

Once the actual wedding ceremony has taken place, your signed documents are sent in for processing, and an official Wedding Certificate will be mailed to you approximately 4 weeks later.

Wedding bookings are not accepted on Sundays, Religious or National holidays.

In The Cook Islands

Marriages in the Cook Islands are legally binding and internationally recognised. The legal age of consent to marry is 20 years, otherwise written approval by parents is required.

Applications for a License must be made in person to the Registrar of Marriages in the Cook Islands at least 3 working days prior to the marriage (this can be shortened for a fee of $45). Application for this license cannot be made outside the Cook Islands.

The following documents are required:

Your passport and birth certificate will be required when filling out the "Notice of Intended Marriage" at the Registrars Office.
A copy of the Decree Absolute if divorced
if you have been widowed you will need to provide the Death Certificate of your spouse.
Catholic couples will need to have completed a course for engaged couples, such as the FOCCUS program, and will need to have Baptism Certificates.
All documentation must be in English or translated into English.

You may choose either a celebrant (non-religious) or a Minister to perform the ceremony. Churches on the Islands: Protestant (Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican), Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Seventh Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Apostolic, Assembly of God and Baha’i.

In Samoa

Marriages in Samoa are legally recognised internationally. To be married you will require:

Birth certificate and passports
Decree Absolute (Divorce) documentation if applicable
Death Certificate of your spouse if applicable
Documentation should be in English and clear to read.

Fax copies of these documents as well as a completed Intent to Marry form should be lodged with the Ministry of Justice at least 14 days prior to your arrival (take originals with you). You will also need to be in Samoa for a few days before your intended date of marriage. A small fee is also payable to the Ministry of Justice in Apia.

Samoa is an Island founded on God. Many if not most of the Christian denominations are well represented in Samoa. You can have a Religious Celebrant or a Non Religious Celebrant perform your special day.