Answered4 years ago

How can I obtain a proper Certificate of Residence for my Thai driving license?

Certificate of Residence Nonthaburi Thai driving license Immigration Expat advice Visa and immigration procedures

asked Aug 2, 2022

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Hi All....need a bit of advice please. Recently arrived in Nonthaburi with a view to retirement. Tried to open a bank account but told I need a certificate of residence. I am staying with a friend so we went to the Immigration in Nonthaburi and with no problem at all they issued a small piece of paper which was stamped and I assumed this was what was needed . Duly went back to Bangkok Bank who seemed quite happy with this and opened a bank account for me.

Today I have been to the transport place to apply for a Thai driving licence. All went well, watched the video and passed all the tests. So far so good....but....they would not accept this small piece of paper as proof of residence. Showed me an A4 piece of paper as an example with photo etc and stamped. They will not issue my licence until I go back with this proof of residence 

M y question after all that is where do I get this from...immigration or the British Embassy? Advice appreciated

Answer summary

The user, recently relocated to Nonthaburi for retirement, faced difficulties obtaining a Thai driving license due to inadequate proof of residence. Despite receiving a small piece of paper from immigration that the bank accepted for opening an account, the driving license authority required a specific format. Comments from other expats confirm that one needs to visit the immigration office with a passport photo and proof of living arrangements to obtain the required official Certificate of Residence, which is usually issued promptly for a fee.

12 repliesnewest first

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John *****

I assume the small piece of paper was a receipt of your application?

4 years ago

George *********

....took the A4 proof of residency sheet with photo to the LTO this afternoon...walked out 15 minutes later with my 2 year driving licence...

4 years ago

George *************

@John ****

Agree. My guess is that the small piece of paper is in fact the receipt you get when you submit a TM-30. This is to be contrasted with a full A4 sheet of paper with a photo when one gets a Certificate of Residence from immigration.

The bank is being flexible in what they will accept for proof of residence. That is a good thing and they are to be commended for that.

The Land Transport Office is not known for being as flexible. You are required to prove your residence by one of the following: yellow house registration book, work permit showing residence, certificate of residence from immigration, affidavit of residence from your passport's embassy. It's rare that they will accept anything else. One can certainly argue that a TM-30 receipt shows your address and is dated and issued by immigration. All that is true, however often the LTO will not accept as proper evidence because that is not listed as acceptable documentation in their operating guidelines.

4 years ago

George *********

No...it was some form of proof of residency...the bank accepted it okay...land transport didn't

4 years ago

George *********

Thank you all...sorted..

4 years ago

Graham ********

I asked for a "Certificate of Residence" in Chiang Mai and Immigration asked me what I needed it for. I told them it was for opening a bank account and getting a motorbike licence. I subsequently received 2 documents - 1 for each and they are specific for each. Cost 40 baht altogether!

4 years ago

George *********

Okay, thanks everyone

4 years ago

Dave *********

DON'T go the the British Embassy, they'll do it for you and charge a lot if money for it.

4 years ago

Shaun *********

You go to immigration with a passport photo and proof of where you are staying. Immigration will prepare the residence letter and usually you can go back an hour later to collect it. The fee is 300 baht.

4 years ago

Shaun *********

I have had them from Jomtien immigration and that’s their fee.

4 years ago

Tal **********

Immigration.

4 years ago

Steve **********

Immigration. I had to get one to buy my motorbike in BKK. I went to CW immigration office and they did it on the spot. If they mail it to you it takes two weeks and cost 200 baht. Instant service was 1000. I didn’t want to wait.

4 years ago