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What steps should I take to change my wife's surname in Thailand after obtaining a US Permanent Resident card via K1 visa?
Name ChangeK1 VisaUS Permanent ResidentThailand ImmigrationMarriage CertificateThai Government IDTranslation Services
Jun 21, 2022
4 years ago
John **********
ORIGINAL POSTERMy Thai wife recently received her conditional US Permanent Resident card, via K1 visa. We are now preparing to change her surname, which is how it is on the USPR. The process seems a bit convoluted and I am hoping that I am just misunderstanding something. Has anyone here successfully done this? We are going to be in Thailand for about 2 weeks in the fall, but this doesn’t seem to be enough time to get it done, since it requires an embassy visit in Bangkok (to certify a certified copy of the marriage certificate, which we cannot even do until our fourth day there due to us arriving on a Saturday and next appointment being on the Tuesday) then translation of the documents (which takes 3-4 days) then traveling to Isaan to first file the name change in triplicate with the amphur, which will then allow us to process the name change for her government ID, and everything else.
Is there any way to do the initial part of this in the US (we are in NYC). Any help that can be given is appreciated.
Is there any way to do the initial part of this in the US (we are in NYC). Any help that can be given is appreciated.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster is seeking advice on the process of changing his Thai wife's surname now that she has received her US Permanent Resident card via K1 visa. They are encountering challenges due to their limited time in Thailand and the bureaucratic steps required, including an embassy visit for marriage certificate certification, document translation, and filing at the local amphur. Several commenters suggest ways to efficiently navigate these processes and offer insights based on their experiences.
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Gray ******
A name change in Thai is quick and easy.
John **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gray *****
unless it’s based on marriage in a foreign country apparently. It’s probably easier for her to just choose new surname that happens to be the same as mine, but that probably doesn’t help with the marriage registrationReply to
John **********
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Kool *******
@John *********
I would say change your travel plans so it fits your requirements in meeting her name change, as that seems to be pretty important in getting her official ID. What I would do now is find out when her appointment at the US embassy can be made. All the rest of it should take less than a week, if you make it the main priority of your trip, and concentrate on getting that doneJohn **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
unfortunately my job doesn’t give me much flexibility in that regard, we are going to do what we can, I think our biggest obstacle is the possibility of it taking 4 days to get a translation done that they will accept. If we can get that done same day, we stand a better chanceKool *******
@John *********
I assume this is translated into Thai. There are translation services open on Saturday, the day you arrive, and it should only take a few hours for them to translate it, as it is just a marriage certificate, not some long multipage document. Make a copy of the document, and use that for the translation as soon as you get here. It should be done by Monday, then you take this translation to the ministry of foreign affairs at Chaeng Wattana on Pak Kret road building A to get it certified and stamped as being accurate. This takes a short time based on the queue, with enough time to go back to the translator for any corrections. This gets you to Tuesday for your embassy appointment, and notary service. Now you're ready to head to her Amphur on Wednesday. This should involve registering the marriage with the Amphur, and why you need the certified marriage certificate, and the certified translation, then the processing of the name change, that should be done fairly quickly. Make sure you get a color copy of your marriage certificate to get certified at the embassy, as you do not want to be giving the Amphur your original marriage certificate, as they keep it.John **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
I have dealt with a translation service for all the Thai to English documents for USCIS and DHS, I’m wondering if they would be acceptable for the English to Thai translation as wellKool *******
@John *********
when you get to Thailand the translations have to be certified as accurate by the ministry of foreign affairs, and given their stamp. If something is not to their liking and has to be changed you must be able to immediately go to the same local translator to make the needed changes. If your service can do that then use them.John **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
probably a risk, since all interaction is online. Will have to work with the local ones. Thank you for all your help and advice.John **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
thank you! I will run through all that with the wife 🙂Reply to
John **********
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Dennis *******
Little off topic but how long did she have to wait for her interview in bangkok? My wife and I waiting for hers now and just wondering.
Kathalyn *******
Don't bother doing it
John **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kathalyn ******
I didn’t feel it was necessary, but that is what she wants, so I don’t have a choice 😉Kathalyn *******
@John *********
Let her do the work then!!!John **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kathalyn ******
On the Thai side, she is. But I have to plan the travel to do it. Teamwork 😉Reply to
John **********
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Terary **********
@John *********
My wife also wanted her name changed. I am just telling her US is off limits. Visas are difficult, its expensive, and ALWAYS cold.Reply to
Terary **********
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Greg *****
That’s why my wife isn’t changing her name. No need to change and too much government paperwork trouble.
Michael ********
@Greg ****
same same here she never did it wasnt worth the hassleReply to
Michael ********
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