Formalities: marrying a Khmer!

Hi anton85,

Welcome to expat-blog! 

I created a new thread from your post on the Cambodia forum as the other one was outdated since 2011.

You will be more likely to get feedbacks from members of this forum concerning marriage formalities on this thread.

Wishing you all the best,
Bhavna

Hi anton,

Unfortunately, the Cambodian government does not recognise any marriage certificates for Khmer women obtained outside Cambodia, since it is illegal for Cambodian women to marry abroad. The law is intended to combat human trafficking (though I'm not sure how effective it has been). So I wouldn't recommend informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of the Interior.

Your marriage would be recognised in any other country as long as it is fully legal in the country where you got married. Most people seem to go to Thailand since it's closer and cheaper.

What ajcrawford says is true. I have not even tried to register our marriage, as I can see no benefit to it, only problems if they decide that I am a problem - like revoking my visa. Of course, now that my wife has left me, it's a non-issue...

anton85 wrote:

we also facing the similar problem because of new marriage regulations in Cambodia.

Anton85...your post is not very clear, can you elaborate on the regulation issues you are facing? If you are under 50, then it's a fairly simple process to get legally married in Cambodia, but if you're over 50 then you can't legally marry a Cambodian citizen in Cambodia.

Hi, I do have a similar issue with my girlfriend. She is a Cambodian citizen and she has a 5 years old daughter.  I am Dutch citizen and I plan to marry her and adopt her child. I understand marrying a Cambodian woman is not possible if we are 50 or over unless we are ready to pay a lot of money and can justify the 2500 dollars month of income. Having said this,  would my girlfriend Cambodian citizen get easily a visa to go to Thailand without difficulty? Then my second question is If marrying her in Thailand is easier and is recognized worldwide except in Cambodia, how would my future wife obtained a resident permit in Europe? Do I have to go to the Cambodian Embassy?  This process still need to have the Cambodian government to process the visa isn't it? If it is not legal for her to get married outside Cambodia, how can I solve this problem? At the end of the day, she will live with me in Europe as I live.
Thanks for your help

I'm Dutch too and I am sure that the best way is to get her into Holland and marry there. The marriage will be official and recognized by Cambodian authorities.

What you have to do is find out in Holland what the requirements are to marry her. She for sure will need a proof of being single and eligible to marry.

It should not be a big problem at all, forget about marrying in Thailand marry in your home country.

Adoption is a different thing, that will come later.

Good luck (het beste).

Joekhmer, thanks for the advice, I live in Paris all my life, so you suggest me to marry her in Paris instead in Cambodia ? If so, is it difficult for her to get a visa to travel abroad? And do you know the procedure to do so?

Thank you

She can apply for a 3 months tourist visa for the Schengen countries.

Yes you can marry in France, just ask the authorities for the requirements/documentation.

Think of beside passport things like birth certificate, family book, if she has been married before you will need a certificate that she is divorced, but better ask the French authorities.

Think also about the requirements to get a permanent resident permit, which is a complicated process, including her to learn the language of the country. But it's all feasible, just jump through the hoops.

Sorry for the late reply, thanks Joe :-)

Hi Joe

I am in PP until the 24th. If you are ever around we can catch up!

Perry Tsalakh

Thanks a lot, but I won't be in PP until end of next month.

Anyway, best wishes.

Joe

OK I ll be back and let you know.

Cheers

perry

I am going through a similar problem
Seems impossible to get a single certificate from Cambodia so I can get married in Thailand. Any thoughts on ho to get a single certificate?
Any help would be appreciated

Any thoughts on how to get a single certificate?? They will not issue one to us

You have to be a bit more precise.

Why would they not give your girlfriend a certificate that she is able to marry?

Normally she has to go to the Sangkat of the area where she lives or used to live and apply for the certificate.
Might need some palm grease though.

Good luck

Joe