Replacement Of Thai Birth Certificate - Need Advice

[Kervon]

Dear all,

Please allow me to apologize in advance if this was a repeated topic. I've tried searching for similar topics, but found none of recent dates.

My wife (native Thai) has recently misplaced her birth certificate, and what might seem to be a simple task (for a farang) of getting it replaced has so far turned out to be quite a nightmare.

After having made 3-4 trips to her hometown in Lopburi, this process is getting pretty complicated and I'm almost at my wits' end.

I really hope someone with some prior experience can be kind to guide me through. This was how it went..

My wife has an ID Card (newly issued).

She remember being told that she was conceived at home, then brought to the amphur in 1986.

The below is a summary of the entire process we've gone through in the last couple of months.

We headed to Lopburi Amphur months ago,

- My wife mentioned that she was conceived at home, thus there should be a record. They searched 4 huge old stacks of birth certs (look alike)... None.

- We then went to 2 possible hospitals (possibility of her being registered at a hospital). They searched half-heartedly... None.

2 months ago, we went back to the amphur to request for a REPLACEMENT, seeing that they are no records.

- They suggested that SOMEONE who was there at her time of birth needs to come to sign an affidavit, the village head (kamnan) needs to be called along as well.

- We mentioned that we're no longer in contact with her mum, her dad who is a 'paper' dad wasn't there at the birth... And the only other person is her granny who has already passed on.

- They mentioned that there is nothing they can do, unless we can find someone who can vouch her birth at the village. We went back empty handed.

My questions now are:-

1: Since she has a Thai ID Card, isn't there a proper Ministry or Head of Affairs Office... somewhere? where records can be printed in substitute of her birth certificate? Pretty much like US?

2: Now that she has no one who was there at her time of birth to sign the affidavit, does that mean there is absolutely no chance in getting her birth certificate replaced?

Once again, I'm sincerely sorry for the long post.

I'm only hoping we can get her birth certificate replaced, as we might be relocating elsewhere and thus the document will be required.

I'm really hoping someone can have the experience or knowledge to help us through this.

Thanks and regards,

Kervon & Nan

[samran]

If she has her Thai ID and a copy of her tabieen baan (house registration) there is little chance she'll ever really need her birth certificate for too many things in life as these things are the primary form of ID that Thai citizens need/use on a daily basis.

Having said that, when they can't find the records, the affidavit is the only real way to go (when you think about it, for 99% of people, it is a good way when all else fails..)

So unless you REALLY need it, probably best to let sleeping dogs lie, but if not, then someone who knows her is going to be the only way (maybe a village friend who was in town at the time of birth?)

[bifftastic]

I think it's entirely possible that this system of 'someone to vouch for you' along with the Kamnan can be used to your advantage in this case

Just to be clear, if the staff at the Amphur need someone who is old enough to have been there at the time your partner was born, plus the Kamnan, to be present in their office when they issue a replacement birth cert. then that's what you should do.

I'm sure if you 'jog someone's memory' they will realise that they were, after all, present at the time and are more than happy to help

[Kervon]

Samran & Bifftastic,

Thanks a lot for the prompt responses.

I guess the only way out is to get someone who was there at the time of her birth + village kamnan to sign the affidavit.

But I have a burning question with regards to the above.

- "You need to bring someone who was there at your birth."

Does that mean that the person needs to be THERE when the midwife pulls my wife off her mum's womb? Or do they mean THERE as in the era/period?

There is quite a huge difference if you lovelies know what I mean.

My wife was saying, the only people who saw her being conceived was her granny, the midwife and her mum. Granny's gone, midwife & mum's uncontactable.

On the other hand, If it means someone who was there during the period of birth, then I MIGHT see some light into this.

Any responses would be deeply appreciated.

Cheers,

Arnold Kervon

[bifftastic]

Wow! Someone was there when she was conceived? Well, obviously two people were there, but a witness? To the conception? Her granny watched the conception?

You (hopefully) mean the birth right?

You just need someone who was around at the time and can vouch to the fact that it is indeed the same person, born of <insert mother's name>

The exact details can be left to the Kamnan once it's explained to him what's required, he'll make sure your 'witness' says the right thing.

Also, any gestures of thanks, ie. 'presents' that you might like to give to the people who help you with this, should be given AFTER you get the birth certificate.

The staff at the Amphur need some boxes ticking. You get the Kamnan and the 'vouch for' person to turn up, they get asked the question, the boxes get ticked, your partner gets the certificate.

What actually took place when your partner made her entry to this world, who was actually present and who wasn't, doesn't really come into it.

Boxes ticked, cert. issued, 'thank you gifts' handed out, everyone happy!

[Kervon]

Thank you soooooo much Bifftastic.

Although it's not rocket science, but your advice and guidance really made me feel a lot more clear-headed on the direction I should be heading now.

And trust me, the fact that 'someone at the time of birth' doesn't equal to 'someone being there when she was conceived' really took off a HUGE load off.

However... Answer leading to another question syndrome.

- "How will the village kamnan know about my wife? Seeing that he is probably a new one...and that my wife left Lopburi at such a young age? Is that why the 'thank you gifts' are required?"

Again, any response would be deeply appreciated