Kor Ror 22 (คร.22) and Divorce in Thailand — Foreign–Thai Marriage Template
Registration of Family Status (Kor.Ror.22)
Kor Ror 22 (คร.22): what it is
Kor Ror 22 (Khor.Ror.22 / คร.22) “Record of Family Status” is a Thai civil-registration record issued by a District Office (Amphur) / District Office in Bangkok (Khet) to record a change in marital status that occurred outside Thailand (most commonly, a foreign marriage) into Thailand’s civil registration system. It is used as Thai-government evidence that the foreign marriage has been recorded in Thailand.
Typical use (why foreigners are asked for it)
- To show Thai authorities that a marriage performed abroad has been recorded in Thailand’s civil registry.
- Commonly requested in immigration and other administrative processes when the couple married abroad.
Kor Ror 22 vs Kor Ror 2 / Kor Ror 3 (marriages registered in Thailand)
For a marriage registered in Thailand, Thai authorities commonly refer to:
- Kor Ror 3 (คร.3) — the marriage certificate issued upon registration, and
- Kor Ror 2 (คร.2) — the marriage registration record/extract from the district office register.
For a marriage registered outside Thailand, couples commonly record the marriage in Thailand and receive Kor Ror 22 (คร.22) as the Thai civil-registration evidence of that foreign marriage.
Practical takeaway: Kor Ror 2/3 are typically the Thai proof set for “married in Thailand,” while Kor Ror 22 is typically used for “married abroad, recorded in Thailand.”
Divorce in Thailand when the marriage is recorded via Kor Ror 22
Two legal routes
Under Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code, divorce is effected only: (1) by mutual consent or (2) by judgment of the Court. A mutual-consent divorce must be in writing, certified by at least two witnesses, and is valid only upon registration.
A) Divorce at the Amphur/Khet (administrative / “uncontested” divorce)
Possible if BOTH spouses agree and complete registration requirements. In practice, the district office will typically require the marriage to be recognizable in the Thai civil registry. If the marriage was abroad and recorded in Thailand, Kor Ror 22 is commonly the document used to support that status.
Common requirements (general template wording)
- Both spouses consent to divorce and all terms.
- Written consent divorce document, two witnesses, and registration at Amphur/Khet.
- Local office documentary requirements may vary (especially for foreign documents).
Documents foreigners should expect to be relevant
- Kor Ror 22 (คร.22) (if married abroad and recorded in Thailand).
- Thai spouse: Thai ID card and house registration (as applicable).
- Foreign spouse: passport and immigration status evidence (as applicable).
- If children: child-related documents (birth certificates, etc.).
- Divorce agreement terms (property, debts, child custody/support) prepared in writing for registration.
Important: If either spouse does not appear/participate or does not consent, the district office route generally cannot be completed, and court may be required.
B) Court divorce (contested or unable to register by consent)
If the divorce is not by mutual consent (or cannot be properly registered), divorce must proceed by court judgment. The Civil and Commercial Code provides statutory grounds and court procedures for divorce by judgment.
Template clause (plain-language summary for foreigners)
“Our marriage was performed outside Thailand and recorded in Thailand via Kor Ror 22 (Record of Family Status). In Thailand, divorce is completed either (a) by mutual consent registered at the Amphur/Khet (written consent, two witnesses, registration), or (b) by court judgment if mutual consent/registration is not possible.”
Note for legal use: District office document checklists can differ by location and by international-document handling. For filings with immigration or foreign authorities, confirm the receiving authority’s exact requirements.
FAQ: Kor Ror 22 for Foreign-Thai Marriages
Common questions about Kor Ror 22, foreign marriage registration, and how it may relate to divorce in Thailand.
What is Kor Ror 22?
Kor Ror 22 (คร.22) is a Thai civil-registration record used to record a marriage or family-status event that took place outside Thailand into the Thai civil registration system. It is commonly used when a couple married abroad and later needs Thai-government evidence that the marriage has been recorded in Thailand.
What does a foreign marriage certificate have to do with Kor Ror 22?
A foreign marriage certificate is the starting document. For example, if an Indian national married a Thai national in India, the Indian marriage certificate proves that the marriage took place abroad. It is not Kor Ror 22 by itself.
Usually, the foreign marriage certificate must first be translated and legalized so it can be accepted by Thai authorities. After that, the marriage may be recorded at the relevant Amphur or Khet in Thailand, and Kor Ror 22 may then be issued as the Thai civil record of that foreign marriage.
Does MFA legalization mean Kor Ror 22 has already been issued?
No. Translation and legalization by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs are usually preliminary document steps only. They help make the foreign marriage certificate acceptable for use in Thailand, but they do not themselves create Kor Ror 22.
What is the usual process?
- The marriage takes place outside Thailand.
- The foreign marriage certificate is translated into Thai.
- The document is legalized or authenticated for use in Thailand.
- The marriage is presented to the relevant Thai district office.
- If accepted and recorded, Kor Ror 22 may be issued as the Thai registration record.
Why do people ask for Kor Ror 22?
Kor Ror 22 is commonly requested when a person needs to prove to Thai authorities that a foreign marriage has been formally recorded in Thailand. This can arise in immigration matters, administrative filings, name-record updates, divorce procedures, inheritance matters, and other official processes.
Can a company or agent obtain Kor Ror 22 on behalf of the couple?
That depends on the district office and the facts of the case. Some offices may require one or both spouses to appear in person. Others may accept an authorized representative with a proper power of attorney and supporting documents. Practices can differ by office and by the document history involved.
If the spouses married abroad, do they need Kor Ror 22 before divorcing at the Amphur?
In practice, when a marriage took place outside Thailand, the district office will usually need the marriage to be recognizable within the Thai civil registration system before an administrative divorce can proceed. Where the foreign marriage has been recorded in Thailand, Kor Ror 22 is commonly the document used to support that status.
Can Kor Ror 22 be guaranteed?
No private party can guarantee issuance. Final acceptance depends on the relevant Thai district office, the completeness of the documents, and the authority’s own registration requirements.
Do document requirements vary by district office?
Yes. Document requirements and acceptance practices can vary by Amphur or Khet. For cross-border marriage, divorce, immigration, or legalization matters, applicants should confirm the exact checklist with the relevant district office before submission.
Can a foreign marriage recorded with Kor Ror 22 be divorced in Thailand?
Yes. If a marriage took place outside Thailand and has been recorded in the Thai civil registration system through Kor Ror 22 (Record of Family Status), the marriage may generally be recognized for legal procedures in Thailand.
In practice, divorce may proceed either:
- By mutual consent at the district office (Amphur/Khet), if both spouses agree and appear to register the divorce, or
- By court judgment, if the spouses do not agree or the administrative divorce cannot be completed.
District offices typically need to see that the marriage exists within the Thai civil registry before registering a divorce. When a foreign marriage has been recorded in Thailand, Kor Ror 22 is commonly the document used to confirm that status.