Adopted Thai Son (Now Adult) - Can He Claim Aust. Citizenship?

[scorecard]

Can any members familiar with Australian regulations etc., comment please on the following.

I am an Australian citizen, I have an adopted Thai son, his surname was changed to mine 10 years ago using a document of approval from the Thai Interior Ministry, he is now well over 20 years old, married (to a Thai national) with two young children.

Is my son eligible for Australian citizenship / Australian passport? What about his wife and daughters?

He has never been to Australia, can I assume that this would have no bearing on any application for Australian citizenship?

Thanks.

[Mario2008]

With adoptions, an important factor is often if the child was adopted accordin Thai law or according to the international procedure. In essence according to both the laws of Thailand and in your case Australian law.

Normally a country will only recognize an adoption if it was according to the international law. But the exact year in which the adoption took place might be of significance.

[ripstanley]

http://www.citizensh...pted_overseas/#

This is a a link to Australian government site re adoption and citizenship. The child would have had to be adopted legally before you could go any further.

[scorecard]

Thanks to all for the guidance, much appreciated.