Thai Name Changes & Birth Certificates

[flying]

Hi all

Can anyone explain how I would fix this for my gf.

Seems a popular thing in Thailand when kids or even adults feel another name would be more lucky they change it.

Well seems my fiance has different name on BC

But all her papers & ID card as well as passport is in the name she uses now.

Where do you go from here?

Also is there anyway to get Birth certificates mailed from Thailand while we are here in US?

She is here on a tourist visa.

Anyone know of a agency that tracks these down & gets them for you for a fee?

Thanks for any help.

[lopburi3]

Believe her name changes will be noted on her home register paper. I don't know of any way to obtain paperwork except in person (but there may be).

[flying]

Believe her name changes will be noted on her home register paper. I don't know of any way to obtain paperwork except in person (but there may be).

Thanks yes that is what we heard too.

I wonder if they would release it to her mom?

Thanks

[Mahout Angrit]

To have got an ID card issued in her 'new name' I would think she must have done it officially at her local Amphur (district) office. A name is also changed at the local Amphur office and when that happens it should come with a letter/certificate stating the name and why it was changed. As far as I'm aware (and this was certainly the case in my dealings on his subject which was the change of a family name) the name on the birth certificate cannot be changed but has to be accompanied by this letter/certificate every time proof is needed by showing the birth certificate.

If she did it officially and has lost the letter I would think she could get a copy from her local Amphur office when next in Thailand. Whether she could get a copy by proxy I wouldn't know but if it was the case she could ask a relative to pop in and ask.

[flying]

To have got an ID card issued in her 'new name' I would think she must have done it officially at her local Amphur (district) office. A name is also changed at the local Amphur office and when that happens it should come with a letter/certificate stating the name and why it was changed. As far as I'm aware (and this was certainly the case in my dealings on his subject which was the change of a family name) the name on the birth certificate cannot be changed but has to be accompanied by this letter/certificate every time proof is needed by showing the birth certificate.

If she did it officially and has lost the letter I would think she could get a copy from her local Amphur office when next in Thailand. Whether she could get a copy by proxy I wouldn't know but if it was the case she could ask a relative to pop in and ask.

Thank You I think you are correct. Yes the trick will be to see if she can have it picked up by her mom or someone. If not all this time here will be down time. Sure would have been nice to have been starting filing.

Thanks

[Mahout Angrit]

Thank You I think you are correct. Yes the trick will be to see if she can have it picked up by her mom or someone. If not all this time here will be down time. Sure would have been nice to have been starting filing.

I'm surprised you need her birth certificate in the States and they wont accept just the passport as proof of her birth, anyway I'm sure you've checked that out. If her mum can collect it it may pay to also get a translation done in Thailand before sending it as I'm sure you'll need it and it will be a lot cheaper there.

[flying]

I'm surprised you need her birth certificate in the States and they wont accept just the passport as proof of her birth, anyway I'm sure you've checked that out. If her mum can collect it it may pay to also get a translation done in Thailand before sending it as I'm sure you'll need it and it will be a lot cheaper there.

Hi & thanks

YOu know we are not sure we do need it. We also thought the IDcard & Passport should be fine but............ I checked with a company here who does the paper work & filing for you & they cautioned that since there was a name change....Later when the interview happens back in Bangkok & a Birth Cert is needed. They will see that & ask why it was not on the original application & may throw it back?? I do not know so we were worried.

Thanks

[Mahout Angrit]

YOu know we are not sure we do need it. We also thought the IDcard & Passport should be fine but............ I checked with a company here who does the paper work & filing for you & they cautioned that since there was a name change....Later when the interview happens back in Bangkok & a Birth Cert is needed. They will see that & ask why it was not on the original application & may throw it back?? I do not know so we were worried.

Thanks

Yea, I can't help you there as I know nothing about immigration to USA but the UK people don't need a birth certificate with a settlement application, the passport is sufficient.

[vinny]

Seems a popular thing in Thailand when kids or even adults feel another name would be more lucky they change it.

Interestingly, choosing a Thai name is a serious business.

[stateman]

Seems a popular thing in Thailand when kids or even adults feel another name would be more lucky they change it.

Interestingly, choosing a Thai name is a serious business.

True

----

I think OP's wife can call the Thai consulate in the US.

They are very knowledgeable. Google for Thai consulate and you should find there are several. Choose one close by. The Thai Embassy in DC is another choice.

I think this is the likely result:

1. Wife can work with the Consulate and effect a Power of Attorney for her mom - state clearly what kind of power is granted. The mom can then go to the Amphur (district office) to get a duplicate for the name change, BC, etc. Best is the head of household being the one going to the Amphur. That is, Power of Attorney is granted to the head of household.

2. It is unlikely that a new Thai ID card can be done remotely. Not sure it will work by applying thru the consulate (although it used to work at one time). Likely it will wait for the next trip to Thailand and get it done in person.

In the US, I think the passport can do the job of the BC. I can't recall any situation where a BC is absolutely needed in addition to the passport.

[flying]

Seems a popular thing in Thailand when kids or even adults feel another name would be more lucky they change it.

Interestingly, choosing a Thai name is a serious business.

True

----

I think OP's wife can call the Thai consulate in the US.

They are very knowledgeable. Google for Thai consulate and you should find there are several. Choose one close by. The Thai Embassy in DC is another choice.

I think this is the likely result:

1. Wife can work with the Consulate and effect a Power of Attorney for her mom - state clearly what kind of power is granted. The mom can then go to the Amphur (district office) to get a duplicate for the name change, BC, etc. Best is the head of household being the one going to the Amphur. That is, Power of Attorney is granted to the head of household.

2. It is unlikely that a new Thai ID card can be done remotely. Not sure it will work by applying thru the consulate (although it used to work at one time). Likely it will wait for the next trip to Thailand and get it done in person.

In the US, I think the passport can do the job of the BC. I can't recall any situation where a BC is absolutely needed in addition to the passport.

Actually we are not married yet. She is arriving on a tourist visa.

We have known each other for some time now & would like to marry.

So what we thought was since she will be here & hopefully they stamp her for 6 months........then we could start a K1 or even get married here & start a K3

Then we would burn up 6 months of the wait together & that would be nice.

Then I could go home woth her & wait the last 2 or 3.

But....................Now that I am checking here with a agency about doing a K1 they caution me that I should have her Birth cert now at start??? Not sure why even though it is not need till interview if at all.

But I guees since we said she had a name change on her tourist visa tehn we need to make it clear on the I129F too? I am not sure.

At this time all her papers are in her name as she has it now.

Meaning her condo bank papers....Her Thai ID...Her Passport...Bank accounts...everything.

So we will try this contact them from here & see.

I hope so because as I said it sure would be nice to have filed while we are spening time together rather than apart.

Thanks!

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Seems a popular thing in Thailand when kids or even adults feel another name would be more lucky they change it.

Interestingly, choosing a Thai name is a serious business.

True

----

In the US, I think the passport can do the job of the BC. I can't recall any situation where a BC is absolutely needed in addition to the passport.

At this time all her papers are in her name as she has it now.

Meaning her condo bank papers....Her Thai ID...Her Passport...Bank accounts...everything.

So we will try this contact them from here & see.

I hope so because as I said it sure would be nice to have filed while we are spening time together rather than apart.

Thanks!

Regarding documentation of a name change at the local amphur, how about just asking her mom, or even a friend, to go down and check if they can get copies of the paperwork.  Might work, depending on how friendly and flexible the staff at the amphur are.  FYI, there don't seem to be much in the way of "privacy" rules in Thai officialdom as there are in the U.S.

I've done this a few times at a couple different amphurs, not name changes, but copies of divorce papers, marriage papers, current addresses.

Important, tho, to have the name written out in Thai, and the approximate date when the deed was done.  If in English, then gets into the problem of transliteration back to Thai which only seems to work 50% of the time.

Mac

[flying]

Regarding documentation of a name change at the local amphur, how about just asking her mom, or even a friend, to go down and check if they can get copies of the paperwork. Might work, depending on how friendly and flexible the staff at the amphur are. FYI, there don't seem to be much in the way of "privacy" rules in Thai officialdom as there are in the U.S.

I've done this a few times at a couple different amphurs, not name changes, but copies of divorce papers, marriage papers, current addresses.

Important, tho, to have the name written out in Thai, and the approximate date when the deed was done. If in English, then gets into the problem of transliteration back to Thai which only seems to work 50% of the time.

Mac

Thanks Mac

I am thinking that is what we will do.

After she gets here we may have her sister ( different dad so different last name ) Take her mom to the office & try.

We will see.

Not easy all this stuff.

The mom does not have a car nor does she drive anyway.

Ahhhhhhhhhh

Thanks

Edited December 1, 2007 by flying