Adopting Thai Sons

[Sakeopete]

Hi all,

I'm in need of a little advice.

Background: I have been happily married to my Thai wife for about 5 years and have 3 boys. The 2 boys are not biologically mine but the youngest is. I want to adopt them and give my older boys my surname. The oldest 11 knows I'm not his real father but he was abandoned while very young and the middle son 5 has never met his father. There bio father has already signed off his surname to my wife, he tried asking for money but when she said no he did it anyways.

Any advice on the procedure for adoption would be welcome but what I would really like as far as advice/comments is "Should I ?". We have no plans to move to my home country so if my son are adopted would giving them my surname hinder or benifit them if they stay in Thailand. Sure for Thai superstars a farang surname is cool but what about the average Thai? I hope what I'm about to type doesn't offend too much but Thai's are very racist/nationalistic imho and I worry my surname would be an excuse to discriminate against my sons. My wife feels having my surname already costs her extra money for goods and services because Thais know she has falang husband. I told her she can change her ID back to her maiden name but she says she feels proud having my surname.

But what about the boys its not an easy process to adopt will giving them my surname give them grief in the future or be benificial?

I welcome any advice/comments and thank you in advance.

Cheers,

Peter

[Thai-Aust]

If your wife's ex has signed in the divorce paper to give up his parental rights to your wife, then you can legally adopt those 2 boys without any problem. The older boy is only 12, this is a good time if you want to do it. Once the child is over 15 years old, s/he will have a say whether or not they want to be adopted.

See the below website and go almost all the way to end till you see 'คำถาม ( คำรณ 23 ก.ค. 44 )' which is a similar case as yours. I beleive that giving a child a better life is the most commendable. Don't worry so much about using farang surname, they will get use to it including people around them.

http://www.mahadthai.com/html/index.html

[barryofthailand]

I adopted my wifes son. I started the process when he was five years old and it was complete two months before his 7th birthday. Even though your wife signs off on the adoption the Thai government still does a thorough investigation including a home study.

The average time for the process to be completed is 18 months.

Barry

[hellohello]

Hi Barry of Thailand!

Can you elaborate on the Home study?

I believe from reading your posts that you are an American yes? As am I. My husband is Thai. We reside in LOS. What other clearance things did you need to do?

Thanks SO Much!

HH

[thongdee]

Go for it !!! Me and my Thai wife not able to have a child , adopted a 5 year old boy who is almost 17 now , the best boy there ever is ....... good luck !