I'D Like To Adopt Our Son

[sirchai]

Hi,

I'd like to adopt my son who's living with us now for ten years in the lower north east. He's not my biological son, but we live together since he was four years old. Is it possible to start this procedure in my province or do I have to drive to Bangkok?

Our son has never met his biological father, my wife has left him while being pregnant. So his name's in the birth certificate, but he never even tried to get in touch with him. I guess it can't be difficult as we're living together for so long. I'm looking for the easiest way to proceed this matter because

I'm working here full time, had always been on a proper visa and worked at schools for the last seven years. Got all documents like work permit, Thai driver's license and so on.

Is there anybody who made some experiences adopting a child? Furthermore what documents are needed? Can I download them? Any help would be deeply appreciated. Cheers- M.

[Mario2008]

Adoption is possible, but first you must make a decision bout what kind of adoption you want. A Thai adoption that would only follow Thai law and would be recognized only by Thailand or an international adoption, which must follwo the rules of both Thailand and your own home country. In the last case the child would also be your child under your own countries law and might also get your nationality. For an indternational adoption you would start with an adoption agency in your home country.

For adoption the fahter of the child must give permisison, that means that effords must be made to locate the father. But if he cannot be found or is unwilling to give permission, a judge can give permission to continue with the adoption anyway.

Look for some more infor here: http://thailawonline.com/en/family/children/adoption.html

[gregb]

The good news is it should be possible to adopt your son if you are legally married to the mother as the Department of Public Welfare specifically allows this even while normal international adoptions are suspended. (If you are not legally married you need to legally marry before beginning.) You will need to either track down the biological father and get him to sign the adoption papers, or else get a court order allowing the adoption to proceed without his signature. You should deal with this aspect first to make sure the child can be legally adopted before going through the procedure for the adoption itself.

Unless the biological father is easily reachable and agrees, start with a Thai lawyer skilled in family law who can guide you through the court proceedings. But do not complete the adoption without speaking to your embassy first. I disagree with Mario that you should contact an adoption agency in your home country. Ask your embassy, and do what they tell you. There may be certified agencies locally you can work with. The adoption process will require a site visit to your house as well as the agency speaking to your neighbors to make sure you really are living as you claim you are. They will speak to your neighbors so make sure there is nothing unsavory there that you don't want uncovered.

It will be a long road and take the better part of a year if you are lucky, or two if you aren't. But in the end you can do it if you persevere. Don't give up. Try to contact the biological father immediately. If he says yes, then you can proceed immediately to your embassy to start the process. If you can't contact him, you need to visit a lawyer and start court proceedings.

There is no need to go to Bangkok. Everything will be handled in the province where your home is located. Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

[Verndaddy]

Just out of curiousity to sirchai. What does your wife do for work and has she ever asked you for money for a marriage dowry? Have you bought her a house yet? I'm not trying to be disrespectful, I've just had many friends get married and then a few laters one of my mates adopted his wifes son and he got Irish Citizenship and he built her a house and she divorced him and got the house and her son she had with a thai man became an Irish citizen! So be careful mate!