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@L. Woods There's are laws, rules, and procedures regarding foreigners wanting to legally marry Cambodian women.  You can find them all online, just google marriage rules for foreigners marrying Cambodian women. But here's a few of the most important ones. You can't have a criminal record. If your offences have been expunged, you're okay, but if they're still on record you'll be disqualified, because you'll need to show a certificate from your home country proving your criminal record is clean. You'll need to show a certificate proving you're not married, and that you've never been married. Or, if you've been married before, you'll need to show copies of the divorce papers. All of this paperwork is done through the city or county clerk's offices wherever you live. You'll also need to show bank statements and proof of income. There's a few more hoops to jump through beyond all of these as well, but all of it's for a LEGAL marriage. You can have a nice ceremony of your choosing and marry her without the government's involvement. However, it won't be legally recognized by the Cambodian government.

@marzlilly yes- thank you for the info. I have definitely found lots of info online- specifically the requirements for marriage. It started going into prohibitions and possible complaints against the marriage. I’m worried about her sister making a complaint - and wondering how I can get around it.

The official, legal version of marriage only matters if you plan to buy property or start a business, or want your spouse to inherit your "wealth" after you pass away. The preferred form of marriage tends to be the "village wedding", where you have a huge party, invite hundreds of guests, get a cash donation from all of them, and have the whole thing blessed by monks. Thats it - you are married, maybe not recognisable in law but certainly recognised by the whole Cambodian population and everyone you are likely to meet. You can even get dressed up in khmer -style wedding clothes and have pics taken at Angkor Wat, which seems to be a popular thing here.

@hdgh29 This is interesting. In my case 'Village wedding' would be also a preferred option, to avoid the complicated paperwork process, and as I am ok with the limitations. Any risk that the Sangkat or police would be making trouble about the fact that it is not fully official ? And how do we name such marriage in Khmer - I heard also about calling it in English Engagement Ceremony as opposed to a 'pure' Wedding Ceremony ... Thank You

@L. Woods

Apart from anything else consider this.

If I'm not mistaken you need, among other documents, a police clearance to get permission to marry.

So you would stir old dust by being denied police clearance.

Think of the alternative "village wedding" with monks, family dressed up, the whole village eating and drinking, and they will always remember that you got married. No marriage certificate though.

Cheers.

Joe

@Fred Cambo haha just make sure that the local community chief and senior cops are on the guest list, and drop a bottle of Hennessy XO on their table - you will have no problems!