I need a California resident to witness my signature for an official Irish Ancestry form.

[steveoneal]

This is an unusual request, but if you are a CA resident and also a doctor, lawyer, judge, police officer, bank manager, school principal or clergy then you could witness my signature and save me a trip back to the US for a single witness's signature.

 

I am a CA resident living in Chiang Mai for one year with my family.  We learned we are pregnant and therefore need to register with the Irish Registry of Foreign Births BEFORE the baby is born to maintain their ancestry link (for their future dual Irish citizenship).  There is no liability or obligation for the witness of my signature - just a matter of policy for the Irish Government.

 

I have local Chiang Mai references from past UN work in Burma during Nargis and also through my wife who graduated from and previously worked at Chiang Mai University. 

 

Thank you

[MrBrad]

You might get a response if you were to move this request to General Topics.  Meeting with someone anywhere in Thailand would be easier and cheaper than returning to the States.  Or, as another option, invite someone from California to come and visit you in Chiang Mai.

[roger1999]

If you haven't already I would also suggest you post this also to "I (heart sign signaling love) Chiang Mai" on Facebook.

[NancyL]

OP, your request is very puzzling. Shouldn't you go to the Irish Embassy in Bangkok for this? Why a would a California resident give any validity to your claim of Irish ancestry?

I suggest you contact the Irish Embassy. There is an Honorary Irish Consul in Chiang Mai. Perhaps she would be authorized to sign this type of document and save you the cost of travel to Bangkok. The Embassy would have details on how to contact her.

[roger1999]

Nancy, I may be wrong but I gather he is from CA and his wife is Irish.  There is a rather well known man in town who, I believe is from CA, but I can't mention his name without permission.  If the OP would message me I could try to arrange a meeting between them.

[steveoneal]

Thanks for your replies and if anyone knows anyone I would much appreciate it.  

 

To answer one question that was posed - my grandparents are Irish and I have already provided all the birth and death certificates they need to prove the ancestry link.  What the Irish government requires now is a witness to my personal signature on my original application - and they are very specific with the witness requirement - that the witness is from the US and has residency in my specific state - and must be a doctor, lawyer, judge, police officer, bank manager, or school principal.  

 

A little complex, but well worth it.

[ProThaiExpat]

Proof of identity is a major issue for many expats dealing with their governments.  I recently was required to prove my identity to obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate from the County Assessor in San Francisco.  The US Consulate in Chiang Mai will execute a proof of identity document by a consular officer by appointment for $50. If you have the document, the consular officer will have you swear who you are even with your passport and then so attest to it with appropriate seals and stamps on the proof of identity document from any government.

[steveoneal]

Thank you for taking the time to offer this good advice.  I already in fact did that and submitted to Ireland.  They are not accepting it, requiring their specific witness form instead.