Trying To Get French Passport For Boy

[Casio]

I have read severalstories here saying how easy it was for the child that was born in Thailand of a western farther and Thai mother toget a western passport from the fathers country. However in each case the farther wasinvolved.

I am trying to do some researchfor a friend, who 5yo sons farther is French and has simply disappeared for 8 monthsnow. The French gentleman's name is onthe births certificate and would come regularly to Thailand and I believe supporthis Thai partner and son and live with them as a family when here. The Thai mother does suspect he has a familyback in France, but he always said no to a legal marriage in Thailand and sheleft it there. Since Feb he has disappeared,all attempts of contact is meet with dead ends, I have been looking on the French embassywebsite, but can not find what I am looking for so maybe, just maybe someone here knows of a similar case.

It is unknown even if the French man is dead, is in Thailand with another lady or just an arrogant selfish pig.

The mother waits and waits, hoping he comes in the door one day, kind of sad to see actually.

The boy I have everyreason to believe can get a French passport due to his farther being French.

How ever with outhis farther to sign paper work, is a copy of the fathers passport (noncertified of course) and boys birth certificate enough?

Any ideas would behelp full thanks, as I would like to try and help the boy have a good life.

Khun Casio

Edit due ding dong typo

[DTiger]

Hi,

The first question would be "has the kid been registered by the french embassy?"

As far as I am aware, if that step has been done, it should be not much trouble to get a french passport for the kid.

If not, it's going to be quite difficult as that "registration" has to be done by the french father

Despite that, I have seen and heard (I'm french too) that french/thai people working at the embassy are quite nice and helpful. Should start with your questions there.

Good luck

[Mario2008]

Under Thai law he is not the legal father of the child, it would depend on if he registered the birth of the child wth the French embassy, which he probably not do.

If he didn't do that, the mother can file a paternity suit with the court to establish who the father of the child is. Withthat the father would be considered the legal father of the child. That will open the way to child support, possible French nationality of the child and the right to his portion of the inheritence. (All depending on the specifics of French law regarding this).

[digitalchromakey]

Under Thai law he is not the legal father of the child, it would depend on if he registered the birth of the child wth the French embassy, which he probably not do.

If he didn't do that, the mother can file a paternity suit with the court to establish who the father of the child is. Withthat the father would be considered the legal father of the child. That will open the way to child support, possible French nationality of the child and the right to his portion of the inheritence. (All depending on the specifics of French law regarding this).

Surely if the Father's name is on the Birth Certificate, then it will also state the Father's nationality as French.

This alone should make the child a French Citizen; this is certainly the case for British chidren born under the same circumstances.

[Mario2008]

Different countries have different laws. A birth certificate only makes a claim about who the fahters is, and only in the case the mother is legally married does the law assume that the husband is the father of the child. If not, it is common that the claim that mr X is the father must be confirmed by Mr. X himself. In case Mr. X would have registered the child himself the mother would have a strong claim that Mr. X is the father. But there is no automatic assumption.

[Casio]

Thank you for your replies, there are some good points, I will help the mother write a letter to the French Embassy in Bangkok.

Does anyone know if they communicate about such issues via email and if they communicate in English or would it be best with a signed letter?

Thanks for the replies. Just trying to help the little fella out.

Not his fault his daddy is a tool.

[DTiger]

Thank you for your replies, there are some good points, I will help the mother write a letter to the French Embassy in Bangkok.

Does anyone know if they communicate about such issues via email and if they communicate in English or would it be best with a signed letter?

Thanks for the replies. Just trying to help the little fella out.

Not his fault his daddy is a tool.

If you are far from BKK, I would advise you to use both, phone and thai language... At least, to start with. Not so long ago, both receptionists spoke a fairly good thai, and half of people working for civil registration and family affairs are thai.

[PatLogan]

The French receptionist speaks Thai fairly well indeed (according to my wife).

Indeed the most important question is: does he have a French birth certificate (acte de naissance)? If the reply is yes, no problem at all, he will get the French passport. And the Embassy might actually even help the mother to get child support by legal means. If the father really died, the child is also the legal heir of the man, and should get any possession his father had (to be shared with his other kids).

She would then even be entitled to get him scholarship to pay for the fees of the French school, which he would be entitled to attend too.

If he does not have a birth certificate, indeed, first thing is to get to the Embassy or a local Consulate ASAP with the Thai birth certificate translated in French by one of the translation office agreed by the Embassy and get it certified by the Thai Ministry of Foreign affairs (because it was not done within 30 days after the birth). Problem is she is supposed to provide as well the copy of the father passport and his birht certificate (see here, but it is in French: http://www.ambafrance-th.org/IMG/pdf/Declaration_de_naissance_documents_a_fournir.pdf )

There is also an association in France she could contact over internet: http://satreethai.awardspace.com/

I have to go the Embassy tomorrow to register myself and my family. I will ask the receptionist if there is somebody to contact over the phone to explain the situation.

Wish I could help more... to the OP, you are most welcome to join me by PM if needed.