Marriage in Thailand

How to Get a Single Status Certificate for Marriage in Thailand

If you’re planning on getting legally married in Thailand—whether it’s a same-sex marriage, a foreigner marrying a Thai citizen, or two foreigners marrying in Thailand—you’ll need to provide official proof that you are single and legally free to marry. This document goes by many names depending on the country, including:

Certificate of No Impediment
Single Status Affidavit
Freedom to Marry Certificate
Declaration of Non-Marriage
Affidavit of Civil Status
Certificate of Celibacy
Affirmation of Freedom to Marry
Apostille (used in countries party to the Hague Convention)

Where to get it?

You can typically obtain this document in your home country or from your embassy or consulate abroad, including in Thailand, if the embassy provides that service. Not all embassies in Thailand issue these certificates, so you’ll need to confirm in advance.

Legalization Requirements

If the document is issued outside of Thailand, it must be legalized in the country where it was issued.

Once in Thailand, the document must be taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for final legalization.

Once legalized, then it can be used at a district office (Amphur) in Thailand for marriage registration.

Additional documents may be required depending on your nationality, marital history, or other circumstances. It’s best to prepare well in advance to avoid last-minute problems or costly delays.

Why This Matters

While obtaining a single status certificate may seem straightforward, errors in issuance, legalization, translation, or timing are among the most common reasons marriage registrations in Thailand are delayed or rejected by the District Office (Amphur).

Common Errors

Not researching your embassy services before arriving in Thailand
Coming to Thailand without a single status certificate and discovering that the embassy in Thailand does not provide this service.
Forgetting a divorce certificate
Not bringing the divorce certificate for a previous marriage when applying for a single status certificate in Thailand.
Assuming a certificate of single status doesn’t expire
Most embassies and Thai district offices require that the certificate be issued within the last 3–6 months. Bringing an outdated certificate can result in rejection.
Using unofficial or self-translated documents
All translations must be done by licensed translators and may need to be approved by the Thai MFA. Unofficial translations can lead to rejection.
Not checking local Amphur office requirements in advance
Different district offices may have slightly different requirements or interpretations of the rules. Calling ahead or using a local professional service can avoid surprises.
Booking wedding or travel plans too tightly
Legalization, certification, and marriage registration can take several days depending on embassy, translation, and MFA processing times. Tight schedules often result in missed appointments.

When You Should Speak With a Professional

To avoid errors, we recommend seeking professional guidance if:

You are planning on obtaining your certificate before arriving in Thailand
You are on a very tight schedule for your marriage in Thailand
You were previously married or divorced
You plan to apply for a Thai marriage visa after registration
You plan to move with your Thai spouse back to your country

In these cases, we recommend you contact us by email to discuss your situation in more detail and confirm documentation. Our team is happy to help guide you through every step toward your big day.

You can reach us via:
Email: [email protected]
Whatsapp: +66 89 929 6355
LINE: @visathai
Phone: +66 2 651 5449

For information about a Thailand marriage visa, click here.

For information about same-sex marriage in Thailand, click here.

For information about getting married in Thailand, click here.

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