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How can I manage my US passport and driver's license while living permanently in Thailand without a US address?
US PassportRenewal ProcessUS Driver's LicenseLiving AbroadExpat LifeThailand VisaAmerican EmbassyMail ServicesUS TaxesBanking Abroad
May 25, 2024
2 years ago
Robert ********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhen living in Thailand permanently and you don't have a address in the states no more how what did you do about your passport and driver's license ?
Can you put your Thailand address on the American passport when renewal is due?
I have a Thailand driver's license and a yellow book for my address
Can you put your Thailand address on the American passport when renewal is due?
I have a Thailand driver's license and a yellow book for my address
TLDR : Answer Summary
When living permanently in Thailand without a US address, it's essential to know how to manage your passport and driver's license. You can renew your US passport through the American embassy in Thailand, where you will need to provide a mailing address for the return of your passport. Generally, there is no requirement for a US address on the passport itself. For a driver's license, obtaining a Thai driver's license is advisable, as US licenses are typically not accepted beyond a few months after your arrival. Many expats maintain a virtual mailbox or use a family member's address in the US for essential documents and banking needs. Additionally, US citizens can file taxes from a foreign address without needing a specific US address as long as they are mindful of their residency for state tax purposes.
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Scott ********
A lot of banks are skittish about getting a out of country bank,but USAA doesn't mind and even sends debit ATM cards to me in Thailand.
John ********
I renewed several UK passports in Bangkok. As far as I remember the renewal doesn't ask for an address, only an address if you do it by post, for the return of new passport. I always went to the British Embassy in Bangkok, submitted the renewal form, paid the fee, then went back a couple of weeks later to pick up my new passport. They cut the corner off my old passport, which if you've got a Thai visa on it, you can go to Thailand immigration and get it transferred to your new passport for a fee.
Cris ******
Ya. I would always keep the virtual mailbox or a po box or something. Just in case.
Ross ********
Can renew passport at the embassy. DL sent to my sister's go pick up whenever
Gary *******
@Mitchell ******
I officially dropped a USA address about 4 years ago. My USA bank has my Thai address but what little communications we do by mail takes 3-6 weeks. They also have toll free number for international calls. Social Security office also has Thai address. The office in Manila works fine for phone callsDuncanc **********
Why would you need a US driving licence when living in Thailand permanently?
Carlos *********
If you can't use a US address from a friend or relative you should probably get a PO box.
Terary **********
I got a mail box service in the US and pretend my legal home is the mailbox. So far it seems to work well, usually.
Michael *******
You don't need a US address when renewing your passport, which is done by mail. You also are entitled to vote in federal elections in the state where you last lived before moving overseas,
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Frank **********
I personally would never give up my address in the US. Just my personal preference.
Phil *****
Does Bank of America require USA address?
Don ********
@Phil ****
I have BOA. They send my debit card and credit card to me here. They have my Thai address on file and have even returned phone calls to my Thai number.Marty *********
@Don *******
Interesting. Thanks. I will continue using my sister’s address but if that no longer becomes possible I will have to give this a try.Reply to
Marty *********
Reply
Marty *********
@Phil ****
I give BofA my sister’s address but I would like to know too. I’m not willing to ask them for fear of jeopardizing this account.Phil *****
@Marty ********
before I moved here last year I asked them they said no problem . Now I have permanent address in Thailand will call them.Reply to
Phil *****
Reply
Chris ********
You use a service like this ..we did for many years whilst living outside the USA .you get an actual USA street address as your mailing address .
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Bob *********
You will still need a US address also to file your income taxes I believe.
Brook ********
@Bob ********
False. You can file taxes from a foreign address. The US IRS will even mail correspondence and your refund to a foreign address.
Steve *****
@Brook *******
what about state taxes ? If you don't have a USA address does that mean you have no residency in any state ? Therefore, you only file Federal tax ?Dennis *********
@Steve ****
yes that's exactly what it means. As others have said the us considers all citizens residents and pay any taxes due, and states follow suit. The best strategy if you live in high tax states, is to move long enough to claim residence in a no tax state. Then move to Thailand. However many high tax states can be very aggressive in challenging your move,.so best to read up on the subject and do it carefully and thoughtly. I.e. move bank accounts out of the high tax state. I read one article that some state was successful solely based on a pet, maybe left with a relative the article didn't explain the exact situation. Drivers license, new mail address, bank accounts, anything that can tie.you to that state. If you have very little income probably not worth their time.Steve *****
@Dennis ********
thanks for responding. I responded to a gentleman that claims you don't need an address or some kind of prove of residency. I'm very well aware and did my research also. I was from California and I damn well didn't want anymore residency ties to that high taxed state. I establish residency at a state with no state tax which makes it very easily to do so.One question I do have is if I discontinue holding my residency in that state but I do not establish another residency elsewhere. Do I have to pay taxes at a state where I receive my mail at or do I still just file federal taxes minus the state taxes of my last residency of a non state tax state ?
Bob *********
@Steve ****
There is no State Tax in Florida just FederalReply to
Bob *********
Reply
Vin *********
@Bob ********
nope. You do not need a US address to file taxes.Bob *********
@Vin ********
Ok, thanks for the clarificationReply to
Bob *********
Reply
Vincent *********
@Bob ********
well now I've got more questions about taxes. Lol.With a virtual address is it just based on US or state based. I'm in Texas and we don't have state tax while other states do have this
Marty *********
@Vincent ********
It’s based on US citizenship. You pay US federal taxes no matter where you live. I stopped paying California state taxes in 2019Bob *********
@Vincent ********
I also live in Florida-no state tax, but for sure you’ll want your virtual address in a no state tax state!Reply to
Bob *********
Reply
Steve **********
Like someone else said I have a mail forwarding service. I get the choice of shred, open and scan or forward. When forwarding I can choose USPS or FEDEX. It’s well worth it. Very few things get forwarded but driver’s license and debit/credit cards have to get here somehow.
Vincent *********
I asked the lady at my local Navy Federal Credit Union and she said I could live in Thailand and keep my account open. Now these comments got me wondering
Ross ********
@Vincent ********
don't worryCarlos *********
@Vincent ********
as long as you have substantial funds you will be okay. But I have banks that won't let me access the account online from thailand. Even when I use a VPN.Vin *********
@Marty ********
You can have far more than two credit cards with one bank. You can have credit cards with no bank account. No idea what you are trying to say here...
Brian ********
@Vincent ********
don't worry. You're fine with Navy Federal. I use Schwab and Fidelity who are also fine with an overseas address (outside black listed and some gray listed countries, of course, but no danger of that in Thailand.)Vincent *********
@Brian *******
awesomeReply to
Vincent *********
Reply
Kool *******
First, there is no address listed on any US passport. You do not have to have any US address. Even for social security you can list your Thai address with them, and they will send all mail to your Thai address.
Robert *****
I use my daughters address in the States for everything including drivers license, banking address, Medicare. In fact if you’re away more that 6 months you could lose your Medicare part D. Of course never tell the government anything.
John *******
Most keep a family member’s address from our home country.
Cherie ********
I have a ‘virtual’ mailbox in US to handle any mail like credit cards, etc
Scott ********
@Cherie *******
what brand and will it send or open and scan government letters that say don't forward?Cherie ********
@Scott *******
I use POST SCANScott ********
@Cherie *******
kool tanksReply to
Scott ********
Reply
Cherie ********
@Scott *******
yes..never had an issueScott ********
@Cherie *******
what's the nameReply to
Scott ********
Reply
Chris ****
@Cherie *******
company?Cherie ********
@Chris ***
and sometimes I have them open and scan the mail in case I don’t need it forwarded If they scan, I just download to files and request them to shred and delete because I now have a copy
Shane ************
@Chris ***
traveling mailbox llc is also great and who i useCherie ********
Chris ****
@Cherie *******
and they forward your mail to Thailand?Cherie ********
@Chris ***
yes- just the pieces that I request…if it’s something I don’t need, I ask them to shred and delete…used them for 3 years with no issuesChris ****
@Cherie *******
I just made an account and am doing the notary section. Looks awesome.Reply to
Chris ****
Reply
Jacob ********
@Cherie *******
Do they forward mail to Thailand?Cherie ********
@Jacob *******
yes…I tell them which pieces I need forwarded and chose - USPS,FEDEX,etc- how I want it doneJoe *********
@Cherie *******
I use a service but never asked to forward to Thailand, what does it cost for them to forward a credit card or document?Cherie ********
@Joe ********
depends on which method you use…different prices, different delivery times…example, just got 3 pieces of mail forwarded and it was $25. Cost depends on weight and methodWishu *****
@Cherie *******
do you know how much would it cost to forward a credit card from a virtual mailbox in the US to Bangkok? Also is it safe and our information won’t be leaked right? Thank you!Cherie ********
@Wishu ****
I think last time I had a credit card forwarded I asked them to use FEDEX…maybe $20Reply to
Cherie ********
Reply
Mitchell *******
I would think most people would keep an address somewhere. A relative or something. You would need that if you have bank accounts etc for sure.
Anthony *********
@Mitchell ******
definitely I've been here 10 years almost and if I wasn't registered at my uncles address I'd have had some serious issues in getting stuff sorted out that I've needed over the yearsReply to
Anthony *********
Reply
Brandon ************
You renew your passport IN Thailand through the embassy in Thailand. Having a US address would do you no good because you mail your passport to the embassy and the embassy mails it back to you in Thailand.
A US drivers license is useless to you in Thailand as you cannot use it (along with an IDP) for more than 90 days after you've entered the country. You would get a Thai drivers license. You wouldn't be able to renew your US drivers license without a US address obviously. A drivers license is handled by the DMV of a specific state, and if you're not living in that state why would they give you a drivers license?
But if you don't have a US address it's likely you won't be able to keep any of your bank accounts or credit cards from the US, as you need to have a US address on file for most of them.
A US drivers license is useless to you in Thailand as you cannot use it (along with an IDP) for more than 90 days after you've entered the country. You would get a Thai drivers license. You wouldn't be able to renew your US drivers license without a US address obviously. A drivers license is handled by the DMV of a specific state, and if you're not living in that state why would they give you a drivers license?
But if you don't have a US address it's likely you won't be able to keep any of your bank accounts or credit cards from the US, as you need to have a US address on file for most of them.
Mike *****
I renewed my US passport in Bangkok. No problems.
*I chose to pick it when it was ready up rather than risk an issue with delivery.
*I chose to pick it when it was ready up rather than risk an issue with delivery.
Mike *****
Unless you keep a US (residential) address, most US banks will require you to close accounts and credit cards. I made the mistake of putting a mail service (US) address in the 'Residential' field in my banking profile (since I sold my home when I moved to Thailand). Their system flagged my account and they called me to say I needed a US residential address or I had to close my accounts. Best to use family/friend address to prevent this. If you're 'away' then credit cards might be able to sent to you but best to keep under the radar. US banks have gotten much stricter these days to prevent problems with the gov't.
Robert ************
@Brandon ***********
not true some when I lived in Thailand I kept all my credit cards and they were mailed too me at view tally 1 in pattayaBrian ********
@Brandon ***********
as far as banking, the best advice is to use an institution, like Schwab, Fidelity, Navy Federal, etc. that allow an overseas address. I've moved everything to Schwab and Fidelity.Robert ************
@Brian *******
me too I did same no problem when I lived there 3 years also kept all my credit cardsReply to
Robert ************
Reply
Alan ******
@Brandon ***********
yes .. just like USA, you can only move in transit for 90 without acquiring and local drivers license (visa indicates date).IDP is irrelevant in USA. So, just keep a USA address and account and get a Thai drivers license too.
Reply to
Alan ******
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