I need Proof of Address to buy and sell and buy a vehicle…

In the past I’ve used the British Embassy for this – but really it’s possibly the most expensive piece of paper I’ve every purchased and it becomes invalid after 3 months.

In the past I’ve tried to get a letter of address from Immigration, however I was informed that I can’t get this, as I have not made any 90 day reports (due to work and travel I’ve never been in Thailand long enough).

Thus: are there any alternative ways of getting the Letter of Address / Proof of Address and avoid paying the 2800 baht (or thereabouts) that the Embassy charges ?

Are you on an extension of stay you got from immigration or on a multiple entry visa.

If on an extension you should have no problem getting a certificate of residence from immigration.

Some immigration offices will issue them on visas entries.

A certificate from immigration is only valid for 30 days.

I am on a triple entry tourist visa and needed to renew my driving licences as well as changing my address having moved to Saraburi. I went into the local amphur with my partner, explained the situation and after ten minutes I had two letters confirming my new address free of charge !!!

The following day I was able to go to the land transport department and obtain my two new driving licences showing my new address and valid for 5 years - total charge approximately 900 baht.

Yes, members have reported succes with letters from their local amphur, teesaban or police station. But also depends on the road transport office.

Never can hurt to try, especially when living in a small community.

To get a drivers license here in Ubon requires that you get a document from license office that immigration then signs.

To get a drivers license here in Ubon requires that you get a document from license office that immigration then signs.

If you have an existing drivers license, mine for car in Canada, or an International License, you can get a Thai car drivers license, Mine was with a work Permit, Non B, without any test or exam. Valid for one year 205 Baht. Kalasin office, 30 minutes.

Yes indeed.

The British Embassy are efficient and quick but does it cost!

Apparently the Consular Office has to be 'self supporting'. Fair enough as such, but surely they could give 2 or more Proof of Residence documents for the price of one.

I recently needed two, one for Visa Extension and another for Thai Driving Licence. The Embassy documentation far exceeded the cost of the Thai documents.

My local Amphur, and a small community, are totally un co-operative. As the only farang around I'm sure they don't know procedures. Even had them on the phone to BKK but no success (and no, well dressed, smiles, even well known, tea money etc were not any help)

Grumpy from Kalasin

Edited February 7, 201313 yr by Bpuumike

Yes indeed.

The British Embassy are efficient and quick but does it cost!

Apparently the Consular Office has to be 'self supporting'. Fair enough as such, but surely they could give 2 or more Proof of Residence documents for the price of one.

I recently needed two, one for Visa Extension and another for Thai Driving Licence. The Embassy documentation far exceeded the cost of the Thai documents.

My local Amphur, and a small community, are totally un co-operative. As the only farang around I'm sure they don't know procedures. Even had them on the phone to BKK but no success (and no, well dressed, smiles, even well known, tea money etc were not any help)

Grumpy from Kalasin

When I got my single copy from the Britsih Embassy it cost 2800 odd baht bloody expensive, I then coloured copied the orginal and that was good enough for driving license etc

Over the past 10 months or so I have tried twice to get this address certification paper

from immigration in BKK.

I have been told (twice) that they are not happy with issuing such anymore, because

it is free of charge. Hence, it is a cost factor for the imm. office that is not covered by the customer.

They have requested that I address myself to my embassy for such.

Which is OK. (THB 1200)

One problem is that my embassy issues the paper in the English language

and if the recipient wants it in the Thai language then there is hassle.

Translation, certification etc etc etc etc.

Not costly, but time consuming.

(as opposed to Thai time, my time is valuable)

Edited February 7, 201313 yr by melvinmelvin

Over the past 10 months or so I have tried twice to get this address certification paper

from immigration in BKK.

I have been told (twice) that they are not happy with issuing such anymore, because

it is free of charge. Hence, it is a cost factor for the imm. office that is not covered by the customer.

They have requested that I address myself to my embassy for such.

Which is OK. (THB 1200)

One problem is that my embassy issues the paper in the English language

and if the recipient wants it in the Thai language then there is hassle.

Translation, certification etc etc etc etc.

Not costly, but time consuming.

(as opposed to Thai time, my time is valuable)

Never had the need for a translated copy (Residence or Income) but I guess it depends on the luck of the draw on the day.

Over the past 10 months or so I have tried twice to get this address certification paper

from immigration in BKK.

I have been told (twice) that they are not happy with issuing such anymore, because

it is free of charge. Hence, it is a cost factor for the imm. office that is not covered by the customer.

Most Immigration offices around these parts (Isaan) charge a 500b levy per Res letter issued.

Maybe its 500 for some tea? Or do they issue receipts?

Couple of years ago I got one in Udon Thani and one in Nakhon Phanom, both free of charge.

Some months ago I did not get one from immigration in BKK, even though I offered to pay for it.

So got my 1200 baht paper in English from my Embassy.

The recipient (Thai Government) insisted on Thai language.

So I had to organize the translation hassle.

A Thai Government office (in BKK) I have been dealing with lately does not recognize the document

from my embassy (being translated or not). They insist on the address certification doc from immigration.

Not sure how to handle this situation.

I find that many imm. oficers in BKK are quite friendly and helpfull. Will probably go to Laksi

and find one of the friendly ones, throw my pitch and ask if I can have the officers name and phone number.

And then try to let the two gov. offices sort it out over telephone.

Maybe its 500 for some tea? Or do they issue receipts?

Couple of years ago I got one in Udon Thani and one in Nakhon Phanom, both free of charge.

Some months ago I did not get one from immigration in BKK, even though I offered to pay for it.

So got my 1200 baht paper in English from my Embassy.

The recipient (Thai Government) insisted on Thai language.

So I had to organize the translation hassle.

A Thai Government office (in BKK) I have been dealing with lately does not recognize the document

from my embassy (being translated or not). They insist on the address certification doc from immigration.

Not sure how to handle this situation.

I find that many imm. oficers in BKK are quite friendly and helpfull. Will probably go to Laksi

and find one of the friendly ones, throw my pitch and ask if I can have the officers name and phone number.

And then try to let the two gov. offices sort it out over telephone.

If by Laksi you mean immigration at Chaengwattana, you need to go to counter J2, they will only issue if you do 90 day reporting at CW.

Maybe its 500 for some tea? Or do they issue receipts?

Couple of years ago I got one in Udon Thani and one in Nakhon Phanom, both free of charge.

Some months ago I did not get one from immigration in BKK, even though I offered to pay for it.

So got my 1200 baht paper in English from my Embassy.

The recipient (Thai Government) insisted on Thai language.

So I had to organize the translation hassle.

A Thai Government office (in BKK) I have been dealing with lately does not recognize the document

from my embassy (being translated or not). They insist on the address certification doc from immigration.

Not sure how to handle this situation.

I find that many imm. oficers in BKK are quite friendly and helpfull. Will probably go to Laksi

and find one of the friendly ones, throw my pitch and ask if I can have the officers name and phone number.

And then try to let the two gov. offices sort it out over telephone.

If by Laksi you mean immigration at Chaengwattana, you need to go to counter J2, they will only issue if you do 90 day reporting at CW.

Thats exactly what I experienced. The immigration officers were very polite amongst the confusion and were very apologetic in explaining to me that the only way they 'could' issue me with a Letter of Residence was if I have submitted a 90 day report. I never have.

In 15 years of living here I've never been in country longer than 90 days in any one spell unless working in Thailand on a work permit. I'm now working over seas and thus in and out frequently, but only in Thailand on a tourist visa.

I'm not hopeful that my local Amphur office will be helpful. They were rather unhelpful with another issue last time I visited (getting my marriage certified) and ended up offending my Wife, they were heavily reprimanded courtesy of a friend of my Father in Law who asked me if I wanted the officer in question fired !!

I'd rather not be forced to cause a minor scene again by dealing with the same ignorant staff (possibly localised to that particular office).

It looks like I'll have to take the 2800 baht route at the British Consulate - Quick and painless, but expensive to the point I object, particularly in the absence of alternatives. I almost feel that they are taking advantage of the monopoly in which they exist.

Maybe its 500 for some tea? Or do they issue receipts?

Couple of years ago I got one in Udon Thani and one in Nakhon Phanom, both free of charge.

Some months ago I did not get one from immigration in BKK, even though I offered to pay for it.

So got my 1200 baht paper in English from my Embassy.

The recipient (Thai Government) insisted on Thai language.

So I had to organize the translation hassle.

A Thai Government office (in BKK) I have been dealing with lately does not recognize the document

from my embassy (being translated or not). They insist on the address certification doc from immigration.

Not sure how to handle this situation.

I find that many imm. oficers in BKK are quite friendly and helpfull. Will probably go to Laksi

and find one of the friendly ones, throw my pitch and ask if I can have the officers name and phone number.

And then try to let the two gov. offices sort it out over telephone.

If by Laksi you mean immigration at Chaengwattana, you need to go to counter J2, they will only issue if you do 90 day reporting at CW.

Thats exactly what I experienced. The immigration officers were very polite amongst the confusion and were very apologetic in explaining to me that the only way they 'could' issue me with a Letter of Residence was if I have submitted a 90 day report. I never have.

In 15 years of living here I've never been in country longer than 90 days in any one spell unless working in Thailand on a work permit. I'm now working over seas and thus in and out frequently, but only in Thailand on a tourist visa.

I'm not hopeful that my local Amphur office will be helpful. They were rather unhelpful with another issue last time I visited (getting my marriage certified) and ended up offending my Wife, they were heavily reprimanded courtesy of a friend of my Father in Law who asked me if I wanted the officer in question fired !!

I'd rather not be forced to cause a minor scene again by dealing with the same ignorant staff (possibly localised to that particular office).

It looks like I'll have to take the 2800 baht route at the British Consulate - Quick and painless, but expensive to the point I object, particularly in the absence of alternatives. I almost feel that they are taking advantage of the monopoly in which they exist.

Too true,

So long as you have have a BKK registered address I can only say you have to bite the bullet and pay that way.

When you get to Chaeng Wattana everything is courteous and efficiently handled.

Hey, where you working?

Have always used local police station. In their computer is a form that they just fill with your info and print out. 200 tip.

Have always used local police station. In their computer is a form that they just fill with your info and print out. 200 tip.

Try that up in 'The Bermuda Triangle' as I call it. Unfortunately a bit lo-tech.

Yes, members have reported succes with letters from their local amphur, teesaban or police station. But also depends on the road transport office.

Never can hurt to try, especially when living in a small community.

My landlord from several years ago used to do this for me and they never charged anything. He showed the book to the Amphur and it all went very smoothly.

yellow book easy

Maybe its 500 for some tea? Or do they issue receipts?

Couple of years ago I got one in Udon Thani and one in Nakhon Phanom, both free of charge.

Some months ago I did not get one from immigration in BKK, even though I offered to pay for it.

So got my 1200 baht paper in English from my Embassy.

The recipient (Thai Government) insisted on Thai language.

So I had to organize the translation hassle.

A Thai Government office (in BKK) I have been dealing with lately does not recognize the document

from my embassy (being translated or not). They insist on the address certification doc from immigration.

Not sure how to handle this situation.

I find that many imm. oficers in BKK are quite friendly and helpfull. Will probably go to Laksi

and find one of the friendly ones, throw my pitch and ask if I can have the officers name and phone number.

And then try to let the two gov. offices sort it out over telephone.

If by Laksi you mean immigration at Chaengwattana, you need to go to counter J2, they will only issue if you do 90 day reporting at CW.

Thats exactly what I experienced. The immigration officers were very polite amongst the confusion and were very apologetic in explaining to me that the only way they 'could' issue me with a Letter of Residence was if I have submitted a 90 day report. I never have.

In 15 years of living here I've never been in country longer than 90 days in any one spell unless working in Thailand on a work permit. I'm now working over seas and thus in and out frequently, but only in Thailand on a tourist visa.

I'm not hopeful that my local Amphur office will be helpful. They were rather unhelpful with another issue last time I visited (getting my marriage certified) and ended up offending my Wife, they were heavily reprimanded courtesy of a friend of my Father in Law who asked me if I wanted the officer in question fired !!

I'd rather not be forced to cause a minor scene again by dealing with the same ignorant staff (possibly localised to that particular office).

It looks like I'll have to take the 2800 baht route at the British Consulate - Quick and painless, but expensive to the point I object, particularly in the absence of alternatives. I almost feel that they are taking advantage of the monopoly in which they exist.

The Canadian Embassy is the same 1,500 Baht for most letters, power of attorney, retirement income, passport application guarantor, etc. I feel the same as you , but it is a necessary evil in many cases.

If one has a non-immigrant visa, what do you need to show immigration to get the proof of address? Is a letter addressed to me sufficient?

Normally they would want your 90 day address reporting receipt which will prove your address is in there computer and base it on that. They may not be willing to issue if you just have 90 day visa entry.

Thanks Lop. Actually I've bought a few vehicles and applied quite a few times for the proof of address on a non-immigrant 90 day entry. I just can't remember how I proved my address.

It depends on the local immigration office but as said some (including Bangkok I believe) will not provide for those on visa entry and you then have an option to use your Embassy.