Child Adoption in Thailand

Adoption in Thailand could be described as the act of handing over an adopted child to adoptive parents, other than his/ her biological parents. An adoption order is comprised of relieving biological parents of their parental rights and responsibilities and transferring them to the adoptive ones.

There exist two types of child adoptions in Thailand – Thailand Domestic Adoption, and Thailand Inter-Country Adoption. Thailand domestic adoption is available for people with domicile in Thailand, and the other one, that is Thailand Inter-Country Adoption, is available only for foreigners who intend to adopt a Thai child, and wish to raise him/ her outside Thailand.

Adopting a child in Thailand demands some qualifications on the applicant’s part. Here are the fundamental qualifications that an applicant must have in order to adopt a child in Thailand.

• The applicant must be above 25 years of age and must be at least 15 years older than the child to be adopted.
• The foreign applicant must be legally qualified to adopt a child in accordance with the law of his/ her domicile country, and the country must have established diplomatic relations with Thailand.

It is necessary for the foreign applicant to have a legitimate spouse, under the assumption that the applicants are applying for the child adoption as a couple. This rule, however, doesn’t apply to a Thai adopter.

• Domicile inside Thailand: A foreign applicant who has a domicile in Thailand can submit the application for Thai adoption at the place of domicile. Along with the application, he/ she will have to also submit the proof of residency and house registration. Applicants with domicile in Bangkok can submit the application to the Child Application Center of Department of Social Development and Welfare (DSDW). On the other hand, applicants staying outside Bangkok can submit the application at the DSDW of each province.
• Domicile outside Thailand: A foreign applicant who’s got a domicile outside Thailand can submit the application through the Competent Authority in his/ her country, and non-governmental agencies licensed and authorized to deal with the Child Adoption Center of DSDW of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand.
• Temporary Domicile in Thailand: There’s a provision for foreign applicants who have a temporary domicile in Thailand. Such applicants will have to submit the work permit proof issued the Labor Department of the Ministry of Labor of Thailand. Moreover, it is necessary that such applicants must be residing in Thailand for a minimum of 6 months before applying for child adoption. Besides, these applicants must be able to complete the 6-month period of pre-adoption placement in Thailand. Such applicants can submit the Thai adoption application, with the required documents certified by their embassy or consulate in Thailand to the Child Adoption Center of DSDW.

At BLS, our experts would help, guide and assist you throughout the process of child adoption in Thailand. For more information, get in touch with us.