Changing Thai Spouse Name

[temo1051]

My wife who is Thai and I were married in the USA in 2006. At that time we chose for her to keep her name and not take mine. For the past few years she has wanted to change her name to mine. I have read the pros and cons on this but since it is something she wanted I did not want to deprive her of her wish so yesterday we finally got around to registering our marriage at the Amphur and she filed the papers to change her name.

My 18 year old stepson also wants to change his name. I have been supporting him for the entire time we have been married and intend to continue to do so until he finishes his university education and finds a job. I have also claimed him as a dependent when I file my Thai tax return as well as my USA tax return. I was wondering if I will have any additional legal responsibilities once he changes his name. It wont make me change my decision to allow him to take my name, it is just something I want to be aware of.

[Mario2008]

Under Thai law it will make no difference. He doesn't become your legal child with changing his name to yours or to match his mothers name.

Under Thai law he is still a minor, so do check at the amphur if the legal father of the child must consent. Also, the reguslations are that a name must have a meaning in Thai. That will not be the case and might be reason for denial. Your wife is an exception, as she takes your name. But it will depend on the amphur if they will allow it in your stephson's case.

Better discreetly inquire at the ampur first, before you raise false hope with him.

[temo1051]

Thanks Mario. The legal father is deceased so that wont be an issue but I will have my wife check with her friend at the Amphur before having him go thru the process

[temo1051]

Mario I took your advice and checked with the Klong Toey Amphur and they told us since the father was decesased and the decision to change my stepsons name was agreeable to all parties they would process the name change.

We also checked with his school, Thai Christian International School and they reccomended we wait unti he graduated and have the name changed before applying to the University, The reason they gave is that the beauracracy to change his name on his school documents would take a long time. Because of this we will wait until he finishes school this year.

[Mario2008]

I'm glad to hear it all works out and the amphur takes a sensible approach to this. Most do, but some stick to the letter of the law.

Good luck.