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What documents do I need to bring to the hospital when my child is born in Thailand?
VisaBirth RegistrationHospital RequirementsPassportThailandExpat LifeCertified CopiesMinister of Foreign Affairs
Jan 5, 2023
3 years ago
อ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTERNot sure if this the right group to ask but the gang here is so knowledgeable. Do I need to bring visa and/or US passport and/or other papers to the hospital when my child is born? One site said I needed to have my passport "certified"?(people must mean a certified COPY) And the copy officially translated by MFA so my name could go on the birth certificate? Doctors and nurses at the clinic also had different answers. If it's too far off topic I apologize.
TLDR : Answer Summary
When having a child in Thailand, it's advisable to bring your US passport and certified copies, as well as translations verified by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The requirement for documents can vary; some expats suggest it's necessary to present these for the birth certificate, while others report that nothing is needed. Having an accurate Thai spelling of your name is essential, as hospital staff may require it for paperwork.
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Av **********
Also make sure to have someone really intelligent write ur name correctly in Thai.......they messed up mine name in the translation
อ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Av *********
very good tip. I'm lucky, I've been studying written and spoken Thai for 4 years. My name was one of the first things I learned to write 😀 So did you write your name in Western letters on the form at the hospital?Reply to
อ้วน *********
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Henry *********
I needed to show my passport when my wife had our baby, in order for the hospital to process the birth certificate (with my name on it!).
อ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henry ********
awesome, and you didn't need a certified copy of your passport translated first?Henry *********
@อ้วน ********
No, I didn't. Although you'll need a Thai spelling for your name that is accurate.อ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henry ********
excellent information, thanks so much. Yup I've got that and know it can be tricky to get the accent marks right.Reply to
อ้วน *********
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Rich *****
No you don’t need to take anything, in fact you don’t even need to be there yourself.
Jo **********
@Rich ****
that’s nice don’t need to be there - poor childRich *****
@Jo *********
, it’s a biological thing, both mother and father needed at conception only mother needed at birth!Jo **********
@Rich ****
then you believe in single parent and children being raised without fathers. good moralsอ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jo *********
think he is just making a joke. And all over the world people raise kids in all different situations that are often out of their control. Plenty of people are raised by single parents.Jo **********
@อ้วน ********
the point is if my wife is giving birth I will be there. it’s just loving and caringอ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jo *********
Sometimes that's just not possible even if people have good morales and are also loving. The world isn't black and white and all situations aren't the same. You think soldiers that are deployed don't live and care for their wives? You think men that work contract off shore but wife goes into labor early don't have good morales? How about astronauts, you think they are scum bags cause they didn't pop down to earth real quick?Reply to
อ้วน *********
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อ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rich ****
I'd imagine that is a common occurrence, for anyone anywhere. But how does your name end up on the birth certificate? And does the hospital issue it? You've done this process?Rich *****
@อ้วน ********
, your name ends up on the birth certificate in the same way it ends up on your passport and driving licence, you put it on the form! Hospitals do what they do, and that isn’t registering births, deaths and marriages, that’s another place. I assume you have a Thai girlfriend or wife so she will know where to go, it’s a fairly common thing to do. And yes I have a Son born in Thailand to a Thai wife, but as it’s her country she sorted everything out, I just signed where she pointed.อ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rich ****
thanks, just the usual issue with Thailand when there are 30 different answers from everyone. And somehow everyone can be right because things aren't uniform lol Sorry I had no clue hospitals don't issue birth certificates or death certificates. I just assumed that's where those would come from if people are born there or died there 😀 thanks for the information.Rich *****
@อ้วน ********
, that’s why it’s better to ask you girlfriend or wife. Not in between contractions though! Better to have that conversation beforehand!อ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rich ****
absolutely agree. we are trying to get things in line 5 months out. And she has been with her sisters for births at the hospital. But the internet has told her it's a different process because I'm from the US. I'm sure it's a confusion between birth certificate, custody, dual citizenship and any other things people misremember the process for. I'm sure I'm being overly proactive, as you accurately point out biologically my required assistance is complete 😆 🤣 😂Rich *****
@อ้วน ********
A lot can happen in 5 months, you might of invaded the place by then! No difference in registration whether your Thai, foreign or identity as a teapot. You’ll end up with one of these.อ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rich ****
😄 too true the world moves fast these days. Appreciate this, I'll also pass the info along to the misses to quell her fears.Rich *****
One thing to note, if you’re not aware, even if you’re on the birth certificate, as a father you have very few rights in Thailand. All the power sits with the mother.
อ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rich ****
yes, and appreciate the reminder, it's very accurate. Truly i think the only thing it does for me is gives access to a new visa type(achievement unlocked 🔓 ). But if some day the little one wants the US passport I know my name there makes the paperwork slightly smaller. Thanks so much for the info and help.Reply to
อ้วน *********
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Graham ******
To get married you need the Passport verified by your Embassy then translated then that gets verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it sounds like the same steps. I think you'd need this to register the birth not at the hospital at the birth. ;)
อ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
ok, I guess I'm confused who issues the birth certificate if the hospital doesn't do it. Thanks for the answer.Graham ******
@อ้วน ********
I'm thinking like the UK, you register the birth but someone correct me if I'm wrongReply to
Graham ******
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Andy *******
Play it safe and bring the items & copies. Embassy certifies your passport and translation services along with the MFA (Minister of Foreign Affairs) certifies the translation. Not too hard but not speaking from personal experience (no babies in Thailand that I know of)
อ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *********
thanks for the answer I'd never heard of a US embassy certifying a passport before. Learn something new.อ้วน *********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnd now understand it's a certified copy, that everyone is talking about. Thanks again.
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อ้วน *********
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