Where you choose to register your marriage with your Thai partner will affect the steps required to apply for an Australian Partner Visa for them to live with you in Australia. Thailand and Australia each have their own procedures, costs, and timelines, all of which can influence your visa strategy and long-term plans. Understanding these differences early can help you avoid delays, added costs, and unnecessary complications.

Marriage Registration Process in Thailand Vs. Australia

Getting Married in Thailand

Registering a marriage in Thailand is generally more straightforward and suits couples looking for a shorter timeline. However, it still requires specific documents and an in-person registration at a district office:

• Document Preparation: Australian nationals must secure an Affidavit of Freedom to Marry from their embassy in Thailand, while Thai citizens must present their national identification cards and house registration documents. All documents must be complete, and any foreign-language documents must be translated and certified.
  
  
• Marriage Registration at the District Office (Amphur): The couple must appear together at a local district office (Amphur). Once the documents are verified, the office will issue a Thai marriage certificate that is legally valid in both Thailand and Australia.

Getting Married in Australia

In contrast, registering a marriage in Australia requires more advance planning, as it involves a mandatory notice period and post-ceremony steps:

• Complete the Notice of Intended Marriage Form: Couples must submit a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) to a celebrant at least 1 month, and no more than 18 months, before the ceremony, with the celebrant’s assistance.
  
  
• Marriage Registration: After the ceremony, the celebrant must submit the signed marriage documents to the Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in the relevant state or territory. This must be done within 14 days of the wedding. Couples may then request an official marriage certificate from the registry.

Required Documents for Marriage Registration

You and your Thai partner will need to prepare different documents to register your marriage in Thailand, as the requirements depend on each person’s nationality:

Documents for Marriage in Thailand

• For Thai nationals:
  • National identification card
  • House Registration Book (Tabian Baan)
  • Divorce certificate or death certificate, if previously married
    
• For Australian nationals:
  • Copy of the passport with the arrival card
  • Affidavit of Freedom to Marry issued by the Australian Embassy in Thailand
  • Certified Thai translation of the Affidavit of Freedom to Marry that is approved by a translator recognized by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Birth certificate or passport showing date and place of birth
• Government-issued photo identification, such as a passport or driver’s licence
• Divorce certificate or death certificate, if previously married

All documents must be in Thai or English. For registrations in Australia, any Thai document, such as a divorce or death certificate, must be notarized, translated, and legalized before it can be used. The same applies to registrations in Thailand, where any foreign documents must be translated and legalized before they will be accepted.

Should You Register Your Marriage in Thailand or Australia?

But if you choose to marry in Australia, the Thai partner must first secure either an Australian Visitor Visa or a Prospective Marriage Visa to enter the country, which adds both time and cost. The marriage registration process also involves a mandatory one-month waiting period under the NOIM requirement, which delays how soon the wedding can take place. After the marriage is registered, the Thai spouse may then apply for the Australian Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820) to remain in Australia while waiting for a decision on the Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801).

Which Should You Choose?

Choosing where to marry will depend on your long-term goals, cultural values, and immigration priorities. Some couples may want to celebrate with family in their home country, while others may focus on the option that allows them to be together sooner in Australia.

You might want to marry in Thailand if:

• You would like a wedding with Thai cultural or religious traditions.
• You prefer fewer immigration steps when registering the marriage and arranging your partner’s entry into Australia.
• You are willing to be apart for a longer period or stay together in Thailand while waiting for your partner’s visa to be granted.

You might want to marry in Australia if:

• You want family in Australia to attend the ceremony.
• You want to start life in Australia together as soon as possible.
• You accept the one-month waiting period and the need to secure a visa for your partner before registering the marriage.

Professional Assistance With Marriage Registration in Thailand and Australian Visa Applications

If you plan to register your marriage in Thailand before relocating to Australia, contact Siam Legal International. We are a full-service law firm and visa consultancy with over 20 years of experience in immigration, legal services, and marriage registration.

Our bilingual family law team will prepare all the required documents in line with Thai government standards. We will also accompany you and your partner at the district office, helping to avoid communication issues, as most offices do not offer fluent English support. Once your marriage is registered, we can assist with the Australian Partner Visa application to help you begin your life together in Australia.

However, if you plan to marry in Australia, we can assist with the Australian Visitor Visa or Prospective Marriage Visa application, allowing you to travel and complete the process there.

To register your marriage in Thailand or apply for an Australian visa with the highest chance of approval, contact Siam Legal to schedule a consultation.