What steps do I need to take to legitimize my child in Thailand and ensure my visa situation remains stable?

As the father of my son, born in Thailand and raised solely by me, meaning birth mother absent from the picture from the time he was 4 days old, I feel somewhat qualified to comment on the thread. Sooooooooooo...

I wasn't present when my son was born (Samut Prakan). Because I wasn't, the hospital refused to put my name on his birth certificate. I first met him when he was 4 days old at Ekamai bus station.Took him and mother home (we'd broken up when she was 4 months pregnant because I found out that she had cheated on me) to Jomtien where I worked as a teacher. She stayed about a week, said she had to leave for work and would be back in 2 weeks to get him and after we would share custody. She never came back. For the purpose of the post, further details unnecessary.

He's 10 years old now. First 7 years I lived in Thailand as a teacher on a work visa. Including school, medical etc.. because I managed to care for him without, never gave much thought to changing situation. When I decided to retire early I understood that I would do so losing 25% of my Social Security. Big but... If the son I'd been caring for was indeed mine (no doubt in my mind) he would be entitled to 50% of full bump on my SS. So retiring early made sense, as did finally going through the process of legitimizing him as mine. Long story short, I paid a bit over 50k baht to go through the DNA process which took place at American Embassy in Bangkok, progressed to an approved lab for testing stateside and ended with Patrick being declared an American Citizen born abroad. From there, went through the whole process of getting him a Social Security number in Manila which many know handles SS for a huge number of Asian countries and ultimately adding him as a recipient of my Social Security. Between the 2 of us we get 125% of full bump.

Regarding Thailand.. I decided next step was Thai legitimacy. A whole different ball game. With help from Government agency in Sarakham, including free Attorney, I began the process. Without going into too much detail, I had to go to court a few times, get DNA done here (Khon Kaen) and jump through hoops trying to satisfy the court. Trust me, if you decide to do this, be prepared to jump many hurdles, get used to silently saying WTF, and scratching a bald spot in your head. You want more details, ask.. As is now, I have been awarded sole custody, changed my visa over to the one based on being sole support for a Thai child and have full unimpeded say in which direction my son's future takes. The only one I have any trouble with now is America. He has an American passport, never used, ready to expire, which means I'm going to have to apply for a new one, as America does not renew minor passports. I'm going to have to contact birth mother in Finland and get her to make another form giving her permission for him to obtain a passport without her being present. Bullshit!

Anyway, that's my father/son story. Any questions or comments pos or neg are welcome... Cheers!!!

Are you legally married to the Thai mother?

If not, the kid is not legally yours and you have a whole lot of hoops and expense to go through.

There's no 60days time limit to legitimise your child.

It's very easy and very quick to complete the process, I used a lawyer but if you speak fluent Thai you could probably do it yourself.

Should have married before the baby was born. You can get a 1yr through your wife, but through a child not until they are school age (I believe, unless you are the mom). Did you get the birth certificate from the hospital? You need that translated. I don't know the drill nowadays, but my husband just went to the ampur and did paperwork for our children. For you now, you will need the court to recognize you as the legal father.

I will be moving to Thailand soon but I want to make sure e

All my bases are covered.I am 77yo and have retired pay and social security.

Should I go to the consulate to apply and set up my bank or enter as a tourist and start in country?

Wear a condom next time, and plan first.

My baby was born 3 weeks ago, cost me 500b to translate my passport and about 15min at the district office. They also gave me the thai and English version of her BC.

Here is my story. Over 10 years ago, my Thai fiancé got my baby born in Thailand...at a Thai hospital...the birth certificate stated that I am the father. Then she took the birth cert. to a US approved certified translation office, then submitted to the US embassy(Bangkok). After the US embassy approved all the evidence...a few months later she received Consular Report of Birth Abroad with my baby's US Passport. Everything were done without a lawyer and all service fees were listed on the US embassy www. (Note: Total cost spent approx. $1,500) I did everything while I was in the states side. So now my baby has a dual citizen.

If your name is on the BC, take it to the US Embassy to get your child US Citizenship, then when his passport comes in, apply for Thai citizenship for the child, getting him dual citizenship. I don't get why you wouldn't think to report the birth to the US Embassy.

brace yourself, you're about to enter the real life...

Did that exact same thing .

Took just under 3 months from start to finish .

Paid 50k and I most likely overpaid .

A/appoint a lawyer who uses to work this type of case and a translator . Meeting with them and provide birth certificate and other paperwork they require . They will need to find the laws from your own country regarding child custody as those will apply as well . Best to have a lawyer who speaks your native language ( I am french and I had to find the applicable article of laws and get them translated in English )

B/ lawyer book an interview for you and the mother at your local child protection services . For me was one month later . separate interview , they will ask where you met , how long , do you know each other family and other private questions as well as your income , immigration status and why you want the shared custody . They may visit you at your home and will give their advise to the court

C/ court appointment with your lawyer / translator ( roughly one month after child services visit . Judge will swear you in and ask the same questions . Took 40 minutes for me and he agreed to the share custody

D/ one month later roughly the judgement paper was given to me by my lawyer and I had to go to my local amphur to register the shared custody. They issued me with a certificate for it which I had to use in order to apply for my family support 1 year visa .

Hoping this helps

I registered my child within two days, no cost. It would seem someone is trying to scam you.

As you’re not married, then see how your relationship goes. Not being nasty when I say things can go wrong and you can get trapped paying for a child you have no rights to see or have any involvement with

Pay for a lawyer cheap Charlie

Go talk to 1 of the many visa agents and explain your situation and see if 1 of them can help you. I don't know how but these services often times can get things done better than the people who work at the immigration offices.

Get married and deposit 400k and you can apply initial visa and get extensions rest of your life🙏

The time through the court depends on your lawyer.

I was told 15 years ago that it could take between 6-12 months to make this paper from the court.

My lawyer did it in three days, it cost me 7000 baht in Khon Kaen.

Good luck to you

You should just get a dtv and relax for the next 5 years. It'll give you enough time to plan your next move.

If you were not married when the baby was born, you do not have parental rights. You need to go through the courts which will take months and will not be cheap.