Marriage in Laos

A decree regulating marriage between foreigners and Lao citizens went into effect on December 19, 1994. Enforcement did not begin until late May 1995, and to date, the degree and consistency of enforcement have varied widely with individual cases. The decree applies to all foreign citizens who wish to marry a Lao citizens. Lao marriage regulations have no provision for marriages between two foreign citizens, and the Lao Government will not issue a marriage certificate to two foreigners.

American citizens who wish to marry a Lao citizen are urged to come to the U.S. Embassy on their arrival in Laos to review the requirements imposed by the Lao Government. A marriage certificate will not be issued by the Lao Government if the correct procedures have not been followed. Any attempt to circumvent Lao law governing the marriage of Lao citizens to foreigners may result in arrest, a fine of $500-$5000, deportation, and denial of permission to re-enter Laos.

The Lao Government administrative fees to process marriage paperwork are subject to change without notice; however, prior to paying any fee higher than those stated below, Americans should check with the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy will call the appropriate Lao Government officials to confirm the amount of the fee. A number of U.S. citizens have been asked to pay amounts much larger than the official fees. The Embassy discourages payment of such fees. Payment of "unofficial' fees sets a bad precedent for others and almost guarantees demands for additional payments. The Embassy urges U.S. citizens in the process of marriage to a Lao citizen to report any requests for fees over those mentioned herein to the U.S. Embassy.

The Lao decree governing marriage of Lao citizens to foreigners requires that the parties to the marriage present the following documents to the Provincial administrator, or in Vientiane, to the administrator of the Vientiane Prefecture. All documents (even those originating in Laos) must been presented in both Lao and English:

• Request to marry ("to form a new family") approved by the Chief of the village (the local administrative authority) of residence of the Lao citizen
• Affidavit of residence for both parties
• Curriculum Vitae for both parties
• Identification card, passport, or other proof of identity for both parties
• Medical examination from country of residence for both parties
• Affidavit of marital status for both parties (Americans can execute this at the Consular Section)
• Police record from place of residence for both parties
• Three photographs of each party
• Affidavit by both parties guaranteeing the return of the spouse to Laos in the event of divorce
• Proof of foreigner's employment and ability to support Lao citizen spouse
• Certificate of marital status. (Since there is no such U.S. Government document, the Embassy will notarize your own statement of your marital status. This must then be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a fee of 2,500 kip
• Payment of 30.000 kip fee to the provincial administrator.

When these documents have been presented to the provincial administrator, the processing time is about two or three weeks. This time can vary by province and change without notice. If the marriage is approved, the provincial administrator issues an authorization to marry ("permission to form a family"), and the marriage ceremony may be held in the presence of the chief of the village of the Lao citizen.

After the marriage ceremony, the Governor of the Province, or the Mayor of the Vientiane Prefecture issues a marriage certificate ("husband-wife document"). This document can be used for filing an I-130 immigrant visa petition with the U.S. Embassy or with the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the United States.