Family Law Guide
Child Adoption in Thailand
Overview of Child Adoption
Child adoption in Thailand facilitates the legal transfer of parental responsibilities from biological parents to adoptive parents. This process culminates in an adoption order, which formally transfers all rights and duties from the biological parents to the adoptive parents.
For individuals residing outside Thailand, the adoption application must be routed through both the relevant authorities in their home country and authorized Thai agencies, such as the Child Adoption Center of the Department of Social Development and Welfare (DSDW) under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand.
Types of Adoption in Thailand
Adoption in Thailand encompasses two main types under the Civil and Commercial Code:
Domestic Adoption
Primarily designed for adoptive parents, whether they are Thai nationals or foreigners, who are currently domiciled and residing within Thailand.
Inter-country Adoption
Exclusively for foreigners seeking to adopt a Thai child with the explicit intention of raising the child outside of Thailand.
Legal Stipulations for Adoption
Once the adoption is officially granted, specific stipulations apply strictly under the Thai Civil and Commercial Code:
- The adopted child is legally entitled to use the adoptive family's surname.
- The adoptive parent cannot inherit from the adopted child.
- The adopted child has full inheritance rights from the adoptive parent.
Qualifications for Adoptive Parents
Child adoption in Thailand follows a straightforward process, allowing anyone meeting the legal criteria to apply. The qualifications for prospective adoptive parents, whether Thai or foreign, are outlined as follows:
- Applicants must be at least 25 years old.
- Applicants must be at least 15 years older than the child to be adopted.
- Foreign applicants must demonstrate the legality of their marriage and their legal eligibility to adopt a child in their home country.
- Foreign applicants residing in Thailand must hold a one-year visa with at least six months of validity remaining.