Had various multi entry non-imm o visas isued in KL/Singapore/Dubai, am not married to my partner, am under 50 years old, am not working, have proof of income letter (Brit Embassy), we have a 3 year old daughter and I am named as father on the birth certificate.

My current "stay" expires early next month (visa is to the end of Dec) and 2 immigration officers have given us 2 different, but positive, answers. One says we have all the necessary paperwork to get the 1 year extension now, another says I have to get my parental status "legitimated". If I could guarantee seeing Imm Offr 1 on reporting day then no problem!

Have looked at the civil code (Book V, Title II, Ch 1, Sects 1547, 1548 and 1555) and my own research suggests that the legitimising process takes quite some time, is rarely granted if the child is under 7 years and there do not appear to be any guides to costs and/or whether lawyers and tea money are/have to be involved.

Obviously when asked, immigration officers answer differently (or hang up!) and 3 legal firms have also answered differently (one quoted the 2003 regulations, not 2006).

Question: 1) has anyone under 50 and not married to their partner "legitimated" their child, guidance please and 2) if delayed in processing same, has temporary extension been granted pending outcome.

Thanks in anticipation.

For the extension based onahving a Thai child, you will need to be the legal fahter of the child and living with the child. Being on the birth certificate is not enough.

There are two options for legitimising a child:

1. go to the amphur together with mother and child and declare you are the father. if all 3 of you agree, than that is all there is. However, the law dosn't state how old the child must be to give consent. Most amphurs will want the child to be at least 7 years old. But some seem to accept a child as young as about 4 years old.

2. Petition the court and ask to be recognised as the legal father. This will take some time (and money) but in case the mother agrees shouldn't be much of a problem and be a fairly simple case.

For the extension based onahving a Thai child, you will need to be the legal fahter of the child and living with the child. Being on the birth certificate is not enough.

There are two options for legitimising a child:

1. go to the amphur together with mother and child and declare you are the father. if all 3 of you agree, than that is all there is. However, the law dosn't state how old the child must be to give consent. Most amphurs will want the child to be at least 7 years old. But some seem to accept a child as young as about 4 years old.

2. Petition the court and ask to be recognised as the legal father. This will take some time (and money) but in case the mother agrees shouldn't be much of a problem and be a fairly simple case.

Thanks Mario, the amphur has said that as our daughter is only 3 then the court process will take several months.

I shall have to do a Laos/Cambodia run and wait for my UK decree absolute (due "any day"), go to the Embassy for Affirmation to Marry, go to amphur and marry then go to Chaengwattana and change the visa.

Thanks again.