I have a 3 year old daugther with my thai gf, we have just been to court to register me as the legal father. We are supposed to collect the final documents in a few weeks, then we will go to the local office.

Today i had a look on the form for applying citicenship for my daughter in my home country, there is a specific question "do you have joínt custody"?

Does registrtation as the legal father also mean joint custody automatically?

Experiences i this matter? Thanks.

Normally yes, unless the mother contested you also get parental right besides you becoming the legal father. Then the judge would give a ruling on that point as well.

So that would mean joint custody is not stated specifically in any document, it is assumed, as i am the legal father.

Yes.

Thank you Mario

Thai legal system make a distinction between parental rights and responsibilities and custody/guardianship. Where no custodian/guardian has been specified anywhere in any legal papers, the custody/guardianship lies with both parents jointly.

There can be custodians specified, but the parental rights and responsibilities still lies with the legal parents jointly, unless a court order says differently.

In certain circumstances such as if the child has been abandoned, the person who is taking care of the child can register as a custodian with the courts.

Edited November 18, 201411 yr by AlQaholic

Thanks for your reply, makes sens.