This is the Thai adoption process. If you wish to adopt in Thailand then always contact an attorney first to ensure that you understand what a long process it is and also the requirements for the adoption process in Thailand. In Thailand you can expect a two year wait for the adoption to be completed. Below is a brief overview of the adoption process in Thailand.
If you are from the US or the UK then the process starts in your home country with all the needed filing done. You can contact a family lawyer in Thailand that can assist you with this as most of the paperwork for an adoption needs to be done in Thailand with the government. Before the child leaves the child will need to have a proper US or UK visa which is done in Thailand as well as a passport. Always take legal advice from a family lawyer in Thailand.
Adoption in Thailand
There are two large orphanages in Thailand where many of the children are adopted from. There is one in Bangkok and another in Pattaya. The orphanages are view by the Thai government as agencies while all adoptions in Thailand go via the Child Adoption Center of the Department of Welfare (DPW). Note again that this process can take two years to complete.
Thai Adoption Requirements:
- You must have been married for at least 6 months;
- Both parents must be older than 25 years of age;
- You have to be much older than the child you are adopting;
- You must be legally qualified to adopt in your own home country;*
- You must be able to show that the adoption will be legalised at home.
If you are British then you need to have completed a home study where an authorised agent appointed by the British government has interviewed you and assessed your finances and living arrangements. For Americans it first has to go via USCIS and Homeland Security. You can start this process with the assistance of an attorney.
Each country has their own process but the basics are as follows:
- Begin your homestudy
- Select Thailand and the placing agency
- Complete your homestudy
- Complete a dossier with your placing agency
- Fill out Immigration paperwork + apply for Immigration (USCIS)
- Receive Immigration approval
- Wait for a referral of a child
- Discuss referral with placing agency, home study social worker
- Accept or reject referral
- Travel to Thailand to meet/pick up your child (Adoption Board Interview + Embassy Interview)
Once this is done the child will need a passport and visa for the US or from the UK which can be done in Bangkok. Once back at home you have to notify your social worker who did the home study so that for the next 6 months there is reporting done back to the Thai government as to how the children are adapting to their new environment. The adoption will then be finalized in your home country so that the child gets a permanent residency permit.
Always take legal advice as adoptions are complex.
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