Can anyone advise on a lawyer in CM to legalise my child so I can get extension, (4 years old) - not married.

Moved to the Chiang Mai forum.

Contact company - Initiate Translation, tel : 089-8517004. Make in 3 days.Speaking english. Office near Tesco lotus Kamthien market. Entrance from superhighway N11.

Your info is a little vague but I guess you mean you want to legalize being the father of your child under Thai law? Not sure what you're on about with regards to the visa so no comment there.

Since your child is only 4 y/o you can not petition the Amphur, which leaves you 2 (actually 3) choices:

1. Marry the mother. About 200 Baht at your Amphur. Done, you are then the legal father.

2. Wait until the child is 7 y/o and then petition the Amphur. Mother must be present and of course the child as well, as he/she is the actual petitioner. About 100 Baht.

3. Petition the Court (last possible option - not recommended). Cost 30-50K THB for a lawyer + filing and service fees, publication, etc. For some reason C.M. Family Court does not like fathers appearing in propria persona even though they seem to be able to do it in Bangkok, Chonburi, etc.

Not sure what the poster in #3 is talking about as 3 days not possible. Petition has to be prepared, filed, the mother served, petition published in the newspaper (usually for 4 weeks). Furthermore, there is no actual appearance. The petitions are submitted and the Court takes them under submission and makes a ruling when they have time.

Why not just marry the mother? I she agreeable on the whole issue of you being the father - under Thai law? If not, the whole court process will cost much much more than 50K THB and take a very long time.

Edit: O.K. I see what the poster in #3 is talking about: legalization of documents at the MOFA. That is not what you need!