Uk Passport For Adopted Thai Son?

[bobjohnston2000]

I have lived in Thailand for 7 years and have no plans to return to the UK. I am married to a Thai and have adopted my step-son (who is 100% Thai), who has lived with me for past 4 years. Does the Uk recognise the adoption and so can I get him a UK passport? I have tried contacting thai adoption agencies, british consulate, Uk passport office and nobody can answer the question. The only info I can find on internet is conflicting. As far as I know Thailand and Uk are among many countries that have signed an agreement which means they recognise adoptions with other countries that have signed the same agreement. However, I find conflicting info on whether or not Thailand has signed this agreement.

I have been trying to find the answer to this question for more than 1 year, with no luck. The important thing is that I do not plan to return to UK.

I want him to get passport so that he could get a university education in UK as a UK citizen, if he so choses.

Please help.

thankyou

[7by7]

Inter country adoption is a complicated area, and to be honest I am not sure if an adoption in Thailand is recognised by the UK or not. Thailand is a signatory of the Hague convention, but is not a full member. See Hague Convention; Status Table.

Thailand is also not on the designated list of countries whose adoption orders are automatically recognised by the UK.

If a Thai adoption is not recognised by the UK then for it to be so you will need to adopt him again via a UK court.

See Intercountry adoption

As far as I can find out, even if the adoption is recognised by the UK, this would not mean he is eligible for British citizenship, for the simple reason that you and he are not resident in the UK.

However, as I said, this is a complicated area and you may be better advised by a qualified and experienced adoption lawyer in the UK.