Child of American/Thai Obtaining Thai Citizenship/Passport

[mmichaelis0812]

This question may be slightly out of place, but I'm not sure exactly where it would fit better.

My Thai wife and I live in America, we have a child born in America with all American paperwork - no Thai paperwork at all.

My wife says we needs to take the American birth certificate to some government office in Bangkok (consulate?) and they will give our daughter Thai citizenship and mail us a Thai passport.

Here's some information I've found regarding Thai citizenship http://www.multiplecitizenship.com/wscl/ws_THAILAND.html

BY DESCENT: Child born in wedlock, either of whose parents is a citizen of Thailand, regardless of the child's country of birth

The above applies if we wanted American OR Thai citizenship.

This is for dual citizenship

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED. Exceptions:

Child born abroad to Thai parents, who obtains the citizenship of the foreign country of birth, may retain dual citizenship until reaching the age of majority (18). At this point, person must choose which citizenship to retain.

This clearly states "Thai parents" where the above By Descent distinguishes "either of whose parents is a citizen of Thailand". Does the Dual Citizenship apply to a half Thai child?

Thanks for any input,

Mike

[PoorSucker]

You need to register your child with the Thai embassy in the US.

They will issue a Thai passport for your child.

No government office in Thailand will do it, you have to do it in the US.

Dual citizenship will apply for your child.

Although Thai law states you must choose when you are 18 there is no consequences if you don't.

[samran]

Thai citizenship is by blood.

A child of a Thai citizen is a Thai citizen, regardless of place of birth.

Your daughter, given she was born in the US, will need a Thai birth certificate issued to her by the Thai Embassy in Washington DC.She can not be issued a Thai birth certificate in Thailand as the DC embassy has juristiction on issuing this document for Thai citizens born in the US.

Once issued with the BC, she can apply for a passport (actually they can be applied for at the same time). That Thai passport can be used to enter/exit Thailand.

The link you produced is misleading. Actually it is plain wrong.

Thai citizenship law has no issue with dual nationality. It hasn't had a problem with it since 1992.

A Thai child, born to one foreign parent, may, if they wish, give up their Thai citizenship for one year between the ages 20 and 21. If they don't, there is no penalty.

[mmichaelis0812]

Thank you both for your replies!

[MajarTheLion]

Hopefully someone can fill this in, I'm not sure if my kids are included. I'm American, my wife is Thai, kids born in wedlock in the US. They are 23 and 24 years old. Can they get Thai citizenship without giving up US citizenship?

We are moving to Thailand next year permanently. If my kids can get citizenship, we'll buy a house. If they can't, we'll either buy a condo or rent a house. I don't want to buy a house in Thailand with my Thai wife as owner. Obviously, if she dies before me, that leaves me in a horrible position and likely homeless.

[ubonjoe]

Hopefully someone can fill this in, I'm not sure if my kids are included. I'm American, my wife is Thai, kids born in wedlock in the US. They are 23 and 24 years old. Can they get Thai citizenship without giving up US citizenship?

We are moving to Thailand next year permanently. If my kids can get citizenship, we'll buy a house. If they can't, we'll either buy a condo or rent a house. I don't want to buy a house in Thailand with my Thai wife as owner. Obviously, if she dies before me, that leaves me in a horrible position and likely homeless.

No problem for them to have dual citizenship. Your children are already Thai citizens from birth. You only lack proof of it by them having Thai birth certificates.

Info on applying for a birth certificate is here in Thai from the DC embassy website. http://thaiembdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%AD%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%A3.pdf

[MajarTheLion]

Hopefully someone can fill this in, I'm not sure if my kids are included. I'm American, my wife is Thai, kids born in wedlock in the US. They are 23 and 24 years old. Can they get Thai citizenship without giving up US citizenship?

We are moving to Thailand next year permanently. If my kids can get citizenship, we'll buy a house. If they can't, we'll either buy a condo or rent a house. I don't want to buy a house in Thailand with my Thai wife as owner. Obviously, if she dies before me, that leaves me in a horrible position and likely homeless.

No problem for them to have dual citizenship. Your children are already Thai citizens from birth. You only lack proof of it by them having Thai birth certificates.

Info on applying for a birth certificate is here in Thai from the DC embassy website. http://thaiembdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%AD%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%A3.pdf

You are my hero! I called the Embassy in DC. No answer. No call back. I looked around on the thaiembdc web site and found nothing. I really appreciate your help. Thank you!

[ubonjoe]

Hopefully someone can fill this in, I'm not sure if my kids are included. I'm American, my wife is Thai, kids born in wedlock in the US. They are 23 and 24 years old. Can they get Thai citizenship without giving up US citizenship?

We are moving to Thailand next year permanently. If my kids can get citizenship, we'll buy a house. If they can't, we'll either buy a condo or rent a house. I don't want to buy a house in Thailand with my Thai wife as owner. Obviously, if she dies before me, that leaves me in a horrible position and likely homeless.

No problem for them to have dual citizenship. Your children are already Thai citizens from birth. You only lack proof of it by them having Thai birth certificates.

Info on applying for a birth certificate is here in Thai from the DC embassy website. http://thaiembdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%AD%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%A3.pdf

You are my hero! I called the Embassy in DC. No answer. No call back. I looked around on the thaiembdc web site and found nothing. I really appreciate your help. Thank you!

When calling you need to be sure you are calling the consular section which is at a different location than the embassy.

You have to use the Thai language website to find any info about birth certificates, passports and etc. I use Google translate to navigate the website in English to find info.

[asiaexpat]

The process to register the birth of a Thai child in the USA is a little complicated and slow but quit manageable. First thing is to get a certified copy of the child's state issued birth certificate, then send it to the US State Department for authentication (the Thai consulate in D.C. has been requiring this.) Once you have the State Department authentication (do not detach anything from the package) you can fill out the application form and send it to the Thai consulate in DC per the instructions already provided by UbonJoe. This process took several months for our last child. Once you are issued a Thai birth registration (certificate) you can apply for a passport. The consulate usually has outreach missions that may come to your area and help with this process, check the schedule at the DC consulate website.

[MajarTheLion]

When calling you need to be sure you are calling the consular section which is at a different location than the embassy.

You have to use the Thai language website to find any info about birth certificates, passports and etc. I use Google translate to navigate the website in English to find info.

Yes, I got the phone number from a local "honorary consulate" person- whatever that is. My wife speaks Thai and has read the document you linked to. I am going to have her call the consulate section that handles this to confirm the process point-by-point over the phone next week. The document you linked to calls for a certified birth certificate to be certified by the state it was issued. That does not make sense to me. They are supposed to certify a certified birth certificate? Then the US Department of state is to certify the birth certificate. At some point, the birth certificate, with all its certifications, goes to the Thai consulate with both parents' passports. Two copies of everything are also sent along. I think it will be great to document the entire process here, there is a lot of bogus info on the internet. You've made the critical contribution for me. Thanks again.

[MajarTheLion]

The process to register the birth of a Thai child in the USA is a little complicated and slow but quit manageable. First thing is to get a certified copy of the child's state issued birth certificate, then send it to the US State Department for authentication (the Thai consulate in D.C. has been requiring this.) Once you have the State Department authentication (do not detach anything from the package) you can fill out the application form and send it to the Thai consulate in DC per the instructions already provided by UbonJoe. This process took several months for our last child. Once you are issued a Thai birth registration (certificate) you can apply for a passport. The consulate usually has outreach missions that may come to your area and help with this process, check the schedule at the DC consulate website.

Fantastic! So it appears either my wife or the document UbonJoe referred me to was a little unclear. I had a feeling getting a birth certificate already certified by the county and state of birth certified yet again didn't quite add up. It sounds like you were able to do it all by mail. Did I get that right?

Oh and the passport application- I do recall hearing about someone that comes to our area once a month for issues like this. We live in the Dallas area. Worst case scenario, it's a four-hour drive to Houston where they have an actual Thai consulate. Thanks for some great info!

[ubonjoe]

Info on having the birth certificates authenticated by the state department is here. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal-considerations/judicial/authentication-of-documents/authentication-certificate-requirements.html#State

[asiaexpat]

The process to register the birth of a Thai child in the USA is a little complicated and slow but quit manageable. First thing is to get a certified copy of the child's state issued birth certificate, then send it to the US State Department for authentication (the Thai consulate in D.C. has been requiring this.) Once you have the State Department authentication (do not detach anything from the package) you can fill out the application form and send it to the Thai consulate in DC per the instructions already provided by UbonJoe. This process took several months for our last child. Once you are issued a Thai birth registration (certificate) you can apply for a passport. The consulate usually has outreach missions that may come to your area and help with this process, check the schedule at the DC consulate website.

Fantastic! So it appears either my wife or the document UbonJoe referred me to was a little unclear. I had a feeling getting a birth certificate already certified by the county and state of birth certified yet again didn't quite add up. It sounds like you were able to do it all by mail. Did I get that right?

Oh and the passport application- I do recall hearing about someone that comes to our area once a month for issues like this. We live in the Dallas area. Worst case scenario, it's a four-hour drive to Houston where they have an actual Thai consulate. Thanks for some great info!

My children also applied during a consulate outreach in Dallas. Strange as it seems the Houston Consulate is not the one for the Dallas area but the Washington DC consulate is and they do the outreach. You can do all this by mail also but if all the documentation is not exactly correct they will return everything with a letter telling you what is wrong (our first try by mail happened like this.) Get the State Department authentication then check for outreach worked best for my children.

[ubonjoe]

The process to register the birth of a Thai child in the USA is a little complicated and slow but quit manageable. First thing is to get a certified copy of the child's state issued birth certificate, then send it to the US State Department for authentication (the Thai consulate in D.C. has been requiring this.) Once you have the State Department authentication (do not detach anything from the package) you can fill out the application form and send it to the Thai consulate in DC per the instructions already provided by UbonJoe. This process took several months for our last child. Once you are issued a Thai birth registration (certificate) you can apply for a passport. The consulate usually has outreach missions that may come to your area and help with this process, check the schedule at the DC consulate website.

Fantastic! So it appears either my wife or the document UbonJoe referred me to was a little unclear. I had a feeling getting a birth certificate already certified by the county and state of birth certified yet again didn't quite add up. It sounds like you were able to do it all by mail. Did I get that right?

Oh and the passport application- I do recall hearing about someone that comes to our area once a month for issues like this. We live in the Dallas area. Worst case scenario, it's a four-hour drive to Houston where they have an actual Thai consulate. Thanks for some great info!

My children also applied during a consulate outreach in Dallas. Strange as it seems the Houston Consulate is not the one for the Dallas area but the Washington DC consulate is and they do the outreach. You can do all this by mail also but if all the documentation is not exactly correct they will return everything with a letter telling you what is wrong (our first try by mail happened like this.) Get the State Department authentication then check for outreach worked best for my children.

The consulates in Dallas and Houston are both honorary consulates. The official consulates are located in NY, Chicago and LA. The embassy is in DC it is not a consulate.

[asiaexpat]

The process to register the birth of a Thai child in the USA is a little complicated and slow but quit manageable. First thing is to get a certified copy of the child's state issued birth certificate, then send it to the US State Department for authentication (the Thai consulate in D.C. has been requiring this.) Once you have the State Department authentication (do not detach anything from the package) you can fill out the application form and send it to the Thai consulate in DC per the instructions already provided by UbonJoe. This process took several months for our last child. Once you are issued a Thai birth registration (certificate) you can apply for a passport. The consulate usually has outreach missions that may come to your area and help with this process, check the schedule at the DC consulate website.

Fantastic! So it appears either my wife or the document UbonJoe referred me to was a little unclear. I had a feeling getting a birth certificate already certified by the county and state of birth certified yet again didn't quite add up. It sounds like you were able to do it all by mail. Did I get that right?

Oh and the passport application- I do recall hearing about someone that comes to our area once a month for issues like this. We live in the Dallas area. Worst case scenario, it's a four-hour drive to Houston where they have an actual Thai consulate. Thanks for some great info!

My children also applied during a consulate outreach in Dallas. Strange as it seems the Houston Consulate is not the one for the Dallas area but the Washington DC consulate is and they do the outreach. You can do all this by mail also but if all the documentation is not exactly correct they will return everything with a letter telling you what is wrong (our first try by mail happened like this.) Get the State Department authentication then check for outreach worked best for my children.

The consulates in Dallas and Houston are both honorary consulates. The official consulates are located in NY, Chicago and LA. The embassy is in DC it is not a consulate.

The embassy in Washington DC certainly has a consulate attached to it and I have used their services 5 times. It is not located in the embassy.

[asiaexpat]

http://thaiembdc.org/consular-services/ Royal Thai Consulate Washington DC.

[asiaexpat]

Consular Office (Kalorama Rd.)

2300 Kalorama Rd. N.W.,

Washington, DC 20008

Tel: 202-684-8493

Fax: 202-459-9536

Email:

M – F 9:00 am – 12:00 p

[ubonjoe]

It is the consular section of the embassy not a stand alone consulate.

I see no where on the page you posted a link to that it says "Royal Thai Consulate Washington DC". They have it shown as the "consular office".

"Office Hours & Address

• Chancery (Wisconsin Ave)
  M - F 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
  & 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• Consular Office (Kalorama Rd.)
  M - F 9:00 am - 12:00 pm"