Hello,

What paperwork/processes are required when a British couple have a child in Thailand? How do you register the birth with the Thai/UK authorities? What documentation is required? Also on whose passport will the child be held? Both mother and father hold Non-Immigrant 'B' visas...

Thank you very much.

You simply register the birth with the local amphur within 15 days. If the child is born in hospital, the hospital will also give a birth certificate, which you need to bring along, and often the hospital will offer to register the birth for you (for a fee).

A Thai birth certicate is of course in Thai, so you would need to prepare a translation of the names of the parents and the name of the child into Thai.

Once you have the Thai birth cetificate you can apply for a passport for the child, just check embassy webpage, it has all the details on what to do when the child is born and to apply for a passport.

The child doesn't need a visa or anything from immirgation. When the time comes it will leave for the first time, you simply show the passport and the Thai birth certificate. That shows why there is no visa or permisison to stay and the child can leave without any problems. On return to Thailand the child will be subject to normal immigration regulations regarding visas etc.

I presume you are married, otherwise there are other requirements as when not married the fahrter has to legitimize the child (officially recoginze the child as his).

Thanks for the response Mario. No we are not married. Am I legally obliged to legitimize the child? what benefit does this provide? We will not be staying in Thailand for more than 1 year or so...Also, are we able to 'add' the child onto one of our visas? or will she have to apply for her own visa should we need to leave Thailand for a few days....Thanks again,

That you are not married means that legally the child will not be yours. it means you don't have to pay for the child and you don't have parental rights. Only the mother has parental rights.

The passport application might mean that you legitimize the child under British law, but it is not recognized under Thai law as the child is born in Thailand.

The child will need it's own visa when returning to Thailand, that can be as a dependent of the mother. (Of you as the father mentioned in the birth certificate that will probably also be possible)