hi, i wonder if anyone could give me a quick overview of the process for adopting a Thai child here in Thailand? here are our specifics

me: 54, USA living in Thailand 10 years on non-O

wife, 44 Thai, married to me legally for 8 years

kid, girl, 14, parents listed on birth certificate as my wife's aunt and uncle (although in reality, my wife is the mother! go figure)

all of us are in good health, we have money in the bank and a house and land in Phuket and no criminal issues

does anyone know the process to do an adoption? how long does it take and what are the costs. can it be done without lawyer?

thanks, steve

Might be quicker with a lawyer to guide you through the process, but not necessary to use one.

Adoption is possible, it being a family member. But you must decide if you want an adoption according to Thai law or an international adoption, according to Thai and US law. In the last case the adoption is also recognized by the US and the child might gain US-citizenship. (The differences is one thing you have to check, for your country specifically. Then make a decision on which procedure to follow).

Also look here for some more info: http://thailawonline.com/en/family/children/adoption.html

the big problem we have is the letter of consent from the legal parents. they are divorced and the father has a document giving him sole custody so only one guy to deal with. but the problem is, he's very old, very sick and his mind has gone. according to my wife its basically impossible to get him to the amphur to sign anything.

as far as we can find out, there is no way around this requirement, besides the guy dropping dead and we've been waiting for that for 6 years.

can anyone think of a exception to the consent rule?

In a Thai adoption a judge can give his permission instead of the parents.

That the father has sole custody probably doesn't matter, both will need to give permission anyway as an adoption goes about who your (legal) parents are and not only about who has parental rights. That last is just a part of it. Adoption entails more.