In this guide, we will discuss child adoption in Thailand.
Child adoption is the act of placing an adopted child into a family where neither parent is the biological parent of the child. By adopting a child, the adoptive parents acquire parental rights and responsibilities of the natural parents.
Let’s see the qualifications of adopting a child.
Types of adoptions in Thailand
There are two kinds of adoptions in Thailand:
- Domestic adoption – as the name suggests, this type of adoption concerns adoptive parents (foreign or Thai) whose domicile is in Thailand
- International-country adoption – an adoption where foreigners wish to adopt a Thai child and raise the child in a country other than Thailand
Thai adoption requirements for foreign adoptive parents
Parents considering adopting a child in Thailand must meet the following criteria:
- Adoptive parents must be over 25 years old and at least 15 years older than the adopted child
- Adoptive parents must be married for at least six months
- Must be legally qualified to adopt a child under the law in his/her home country
- Adoptive parents must receive confirmation from an authorised agency
Foreigners eligible to apply for adoption in Thailand
Once qualified, foreign adoptive parents can go ahead with the application in the following fashion:
- Foreign adoptive parents who have domicile outside of Thailand are to submit the adoption application through relevant authorities in their country and the non-governmental child welfare agencies licensed to deal with the Child Adoption Centre of the Department of Social Development and Welfare (DSDW) of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand.
- A foreigner permanently residing in Thailand with proof of residency and house registration is to apply for adoption at the place of domicile. If the applicant has a domicile in Bangkok, the application can be submitted to the Child Adoption Centre of the DSDW. If the domicile is outside of Bangkok, the applicant can submit the application at the DSDW of each province.
- A foreigner temporarily residing in Thailand with a valid work permit issued by the Labour Department of the Ministry of Labour, that has been residing in Thailand for at least six months prior to applying and is able to complete six-month period of pre-adoption placement is to submit their application at the Child Adoption Centre of the DSDW in Thailand.
Conclusion
There are many factors that must be considered and carried out before adopting a child, such as a home study by relevant authorities and ensuring that you are financially capable of raising a child.
If you need advice on child adoption in Thailand, feel free to contact Acclime.