Marrying outside Thailand as a Thai national: Kor Ror 22, translation and recording the marriage
In short
A foreign registrar normally asks a Thai national to prove they are free to marry. That proof is the certificate of marital status (Kor Ror 22) issued by a Thai district or khet office, translated and legalised in the chain that the receiving country requires — often legalisation by the Department of Consular Affairs followed by that country's embassy in Thailand. Confirm the exact chain with the authority that will receive the document before starting.
Who this applies to
- • Thai nationals registering a marriage in another country.
- • Couples where the foreign partner's home country requires proof of Thai marital status.
- • Thai nationals who married abroad and now need the marriage recognised or recorded in Thailand.
Documents to prepare
- • Certificate of marital status (Kor Ror 22) from a district or khet office
- • Thai national ID card and house registration
- • Passport of the Thai national
- • Evidence that any earlier marriage ended, such as Kor Ror 7 or a court judgment
- • Translation of the above into the language the receiving authority requires
Step by step
1. Ask the foreign registrar exactly what it wants
Requirements differ sharply between countries, and often between regions of the same country. Obtain the written list first.
2. Obtain Kor Ror 22 from a district or khet office
Request it close to the date it will be used, because many authorities accept it only within a limited window.
3. Translate and legalise as required
Where the chain requires it, the translation is legalised by the Department of Consular Affairs and then by the receiving country's embassy in Thailand.
4. Register the marriage abroad
Follow the foreign registrar's process. Keep the original certificate issued there together with any official copies.
5. Report or record the marriage as needed
Where you need the marriage reflected in Thai records, contact the Thai embassy or consulate covering that country, or a district office in Thailand, and translate the foreign certificate into Thai as they instruct.
Points to watch
- • Obtaining Kor Ror 22 far in advance and finding it outside the acceptance window at lodgement.
- • Following a legalisation chain from a blog post rather than the receiving authority's own instruction.
- • Translating into the wrong target language for the destination country.
- • Forgetting that Thailand becomes a party to the Apostille Convention only from the date published by the HCCH, so the current chain may still be consular legalisation.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Kor Ror 22?
It is a certificate issued by a Thai district or khet office confirming a person's marital status — single, divorced or widowed — for use where another authority needs proof of capacity to marry.
Can someone request it for me while I am overseas?
A representative can act under a power of attorney in the prescribed form, subject to the office's rules. Check with the specific district office, and with the Thai embassy covering your country about alternatives.
Does the translation have to be legalised?
It depends entirely on the receiving country. Some accept a certified translation alone; others require legalisation by the Department of Consular Affairs and then by their own embassy in Thailand.
We married abroad — do we have to register again in Thailand?
A marriage validly registered abroad is generally not registered a second time, but you may need the foreign certificate translated into Thai and processed so that Thai records and documents reflect the change. Ask the Thai embassy or the district office how to proceed.
How long does the translation take?
It depends on the document set and language pair. Send scans by LINE, phone or email and our staff will confirm the current turnaround and quote before any work begins.
Related pages
Official source
Content last reviewed: August 2026