Translations

[lomuamart]

Does anyone know of a decent translation place in HH?
I'm getting our marriage certificate done, so would really need a "certified true translation" stamp as well.
Thanks.

[buksida]

I asked this about a month ago with no reply.

There is a place down soi 47 where the old Observer office used to be, I have had official papers notorised there but not translated. You may want to call them: 032-531508.

I need to do the same and my only worry is whether the British embassy would accept it.

In their words though:

"3) The Thai lawyer can do the translation if they have the translation licence or you can contact the translation shop. "

[hogus]

I PM you Lomu...may be it's helpful!

[lomuamart]

Thanks folks. My understanding is that the certificate dosn't need to be translated as long as it's in Thai or English. Still, I'd rather not take the chance.

[Onlyme]

Just a helpful hint about translation. If you're from the UK and have any plans on returning, then applying for a visa. They would like the certificate in English.
Onlyme.

[splitlid]

yes i think in soi 47/1 is a lawyer who does that work and speaks good english

FYO from the embassy website


This information is provided for general guidance only and has no legal authority.

1. Make an affirmation of freedom to marry in person at the British Embassy in Bangkok
Please retype the affirmation including your details on one page in the same format as the attached sample and bring it to the Embassy to sign before a British Consular official.
We accept affirmations between normal working hours, excluding public holidays. It is not possible to make an appointment for this service. The service is provided on a first - come - first served basis. The completed affirmation will then be ready for collection from the Embassy between from 09.00 hrs on the following working day.
We charge Baht 2,625 per affirmation and we can provide this service to British nationals only.
Please bring with you to the Embassy your passport, as proof of identity, and evidence that any previous marriages have been dissolved/terminated (death certificate or divorce certificate(s) as appropriate). Original are required and will be returned along with the affirmation the following day; copies will not be accepted under any circumstances.
2. Have the affirmation translated into Thai
Once the affirmation has been signed, you will need to have it translated into Thai. Please note that Consular Section does not undertake the preparation or translation of documents. Many reputable translation companies advertise on the internet as well as in the Thai local press. The Embassy is unable to recommend any particular firms.
3. Have the affirmation authenticated and translation certified
All Thai Registrars will require authentication of the British Consular Official’s signature and certification of the Thai translation. This must be obtained from:

The Legalisation and Naturalisation Division,
Department of Consular Affairs,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (www.mfa.go.th)
123 Chaeng Wattana Road, Laksi District, Bangkok 11120
Tel. 0– 2575 1056–59, 0–2981 7171
(08.30 – 11.30 and 13.00 – 15.30)
There are two fees available: -
1. Baht 400 per document, and it takes up to two full days or
2. Baht 800 per document for the same day service.
4. Submit the document to the Registrar

The affirmation and translation are then ready for submission to the registrar, who, if satisfied, will register the marriage and issue a Thai marriage certificate.
The British Embassy in Bangkok is not authorised to perform marriages.
Marriage in Thailand should be performed according to Thai law and any detailed questions on the procedure should be addressed to the appropriate Thai authorities.
A religious ceremony on its own is not sufficient.
The documentation to be produced is at the discretion of each individual Registrar. Most Registrars will be satisfied with an affirmation of freedom to marry.
The marriage will only be recognised under UK law if it is valid under Thai law. For it to be valid in Thai law, the marriage must be registered with the Registrar at an Amphur Office (District Office). A list of some Amphur offices in Bangkok and upcountry is attached.
The Thai marriage certificate will be in Thai only. You may wish to commission a “sworn translationâ€

[hogus]

When I got my Thai-marriage-certificate, I had to make a translation, too.
The Embassy has confirmed the correctness of the translation then, but free of charge.
Its many years ago, may be rules changed here, too?

[lomuamart]

I think it must have changed, Hogus. There was no need for an English translation of our certificate. It's only necessary back in the UK if you're going to settle etc and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after two years. And possibly for the visa.
Splitlid's post refers to the process necessary for a UK national to get married here in Thailand. We did that a year ago. Thanks anyway, it may well be useful for others.
All we're doing is applying for a visa (tourist). I'm sure I read on an official site that a translation wasn't necessary if it was in Thai. Others have suggested that it is necessary.
I tried to call all the numbers given to me, but unfortunately some of these offices in HH don't exactly inspire me with confidence in their ability to handle queries like this - ie, do they have the correct stamp?
As we intend to go up on Tues/Weds, we called the office in BKK where I got the affirmation translated last year. Now they were professional. "If you need it in a rush at 8.30am when we open, fax the relevant data up the day before and we'll have it ready for collection when you arrive". The offices aren't far from the outsourcing centre, so hopefully the queue won't be too long when we get there. I'd wanted to be outside at 8am. If there's a wait, then so be it.
However, I will call The The Embassy on Monday to see whether this is actually necessary. Should have done it yesterday afternoon, but fell asleep

[silverbird]

[quote="lomuamart"]I tried to call all the numbers given to me, but unfortunately some of these offices in HH don't exactly inspire me with confidence in their ability to handle queries like this - ie, do they have the correct stamp?
As we intend to go up on Tues/Weds, we called the office in BKK where I got the affirmation translated last year. Now they were professional. "If you need it in a rush at 8.30am when we open, fax the relevant data up the day before and we'll have it ready for collection when you arrive".quote]

I need some other papers translated and legalised. Any possibility of you giving me phone number to this translation company? Have made translation with company before that later gave me a lot of problems - they translated my name in the wrong way!

[barrys]

Only just found this thread by coincidence.

I have been a professional translator for the last 20-odd years - but for European languages.

However, my former Thai teacher (Thai national with a 1st class hon in English from KK uni and an MBA from the UK) is very competent at TH-EN/EN-TH translations. She has done quite a lot of work already on birth certs and tax documents to be presented to the UK authorities on behalf of Thais residing in the UK.
She can also arrange translations from German, Dutch and French into Thai and vice versa.

I would be very happy to put people in touch with her.


Barry
Mermaid Cruises
Phone 032-632223 or 04-8007400

[buksida]

Does she have a translation license that is accepted by the British embassy?

I may be in need of services soon!

See yer Sunday!