Hi guys!

I am new here, I lurked for a bit a few years ago but really dropped the ball on this! I am interested in gaining Thai citizenship, and unsure where to start. At first I was told that I should go through normal measures, but now I have been told I can get a Thai birth certificate. A little confused.

Here are the basics:

1. I am an American citizen, born in the US.

2. I am 33 years old & unmarried.

3. My mother was born in Bangkok, Thailand. She and my father (American) met during Vietnam war. We lived in Thailand for a while when I was young but came back to the US because of his military orders.

Not sure if additional info is needed. Does anyone know the best route for me to take?

My wife having been Thai born had to prove with DNA from a proven Thai Sibling that she was indeed Thai.

I think you will need to do something similar unless you get lucky and they still have your records but having been born in the US what records of you could the Thai Authorities have?

What is the DNA process like? The Thai side of my family all still live in Thailand, though my aunts visit the US from time to time. My mother is the only one in her family that has left Thailand.

Or are you saying I will need to prove I am Thai via DNA?

Edited April 4, 201313 yr by Kells

You'll need to get a Thai birth certificate from a Thai Embassy/Consulate in the USA.

You can call them to see what they will need.

We used LA, and got good service from them, but that was many years ago.

If you have the documents they need, including your moms proof of being Thai, you should be able to get the Thai birth certificate and apply for a Thai passport at the same visit.

Good luck.

Terry

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You do not need a DNA test if you have a Thai birth certificate or, failing that, evidence that your mother was a Thai national at the time of your birth. In fact, you are already a Thai national by birth and all you need now is to apply for your Thai passport with the necessary documents.

You were born in the USA to a mother of Thai nationality. Take your US birth certificate to the Thai embassy, where you can get a Thai birth certificate and with that apply for your Thai passport. I believe this is all the documentation you need but I suggest you call the embassy first for details.

Awesome, guys! I will give them a call and begin with getting a birth certificate. Thanks so much for the info, i was really confusing myself with all the info i was getting!

Come back here again any time you have more questions or to let us know how you are progressing. There are three places in the USA where you can choose to apply for your Thai birth certificate and the passport: the consular section of the Thai embassy in Washington D.C. or the consulates in Chicago and Los Angeles.

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To get the birth certificate you will most definitely need evidence showing your mother is a Thai national. So any old Thai passports, ID cards and birth certificates she has will make the process much easier.

Getting a Thai birth certificate for Thai nationals born in the USA can be difficult. First, collect a copy of your mother's passport that she used to enter the USA the first time as well as here current Thai passport. Get a copy of your father's passport (I don't know why but the embassy wanted it for my kids.) Get a copy of your mother's Thai ID card and Tabien Baan if possible. Go to the embassy website and find the area called "Forms". Down load the investigation form and Thai birth certificate application forms and have them filled out in Thai. Have your mother write a letter stating she wish to get a Thai birth certificate for you based on her Thai citizenship. Mail all this to the embassy (or consulate if you live near Chicago.) I do not recommend trying to work with the LA consulate. Take a look at the London Thai embassy website as it gives the best details concerning registration of birth and birth certificates (bear in mind it is for UK births, but it is much more descriptive as to the process than the Washington embassy.) Have patience as this can take some time since you are over 20 years old. A DNA test may be necessary also, but don't do it until told to (and get it done in Thailand if possible.)

We just did this for my 41 year old brother a few months ago using the Washington DC Embassy. Great group of people over there. They made it an easy process for us.

All that was required was a notarized copy of my mom's current unexpired Thai passport, notarized copy of her current Thai ID, notarized copy of her current tabien baan, a DOS certified copy of his US birth certificate a couple of 2x2 passport sized photos, the correct application form, and a money order for about 15 dollars. We sent everything USPS with tracking and received the birth certificate about one month later. With the Thai birth certificate, it should be easy to apply for a passport.

You can even apply for the passport at the same time.

When I got my Thai passport I had to have biometric information captured. If applying for birth certificate and passport at the same time how does that work?

In the case of my daughter we got the birth certificate first from LA, then when the LA consulate visited our state during one of their mobile consulate services, we did the passport at that time because they had all the equipment to capture biometrics.

You can even apply for the passport at the same time.

You need to apply in person, but when you do that it is normally no problem doing both at the same time.