Thailand Adoption Application Procedures

A Thailand adoption application from the Child Adoption Center in Bangkok is available here. The CAC works under the Thai Dept of Social Development & Welfare (DSDW).

The Thailand adoption application is fairly simple, but there is a long list of documents which need to be submitted with the application. Here is a detailed list of documents listed with the sample document. There are additional Thailand adoption documents required which are not listed on the sample application.

(1) copy of your passport(s)

(2) copy of marriage license and divorce decree if previously married

(3) medical certificate - this can be done at any hospital or clinic

(4) document certifying occupation and income - click here for a sample document

(5) financial statement showing assets and liabilities -click here for sample document

(6) document showing list of assets - the same as the previous financial statement

(7) four photographs of each applicant

(8) document showing eligibility of applicant(s) to adopt a child

(9) document verifying the adopted child will be able to enter the home country of the applicant(s)click here for sample letter

For US citizens, documents (8) & (9) can be taken care of with a letter issued by the Immigrant Visa Unit in the Consular Section at the US embassy in Bangkok.

The U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai is not able to issue this letter. You must contact the U.S. embassy! In order for the embassy to issue the letter, you will need to sign a statement declaring that you are aware that if you adopt a non-orphan child you cannot take the child to the U.S. until you have legally adopted the child for two years and the child has resided with you for two years.

UPDATE: I recently learned that it maybe possible for the Chiang Mai consulate to issue the necessary letter to verify the eligibility of the applicant(s) to adopt a child. Print out the sample letter, take it to the consulate and show it to the staff. Ask them to please issue a similar document so you do not have to go the whole way to Bangkok. Unless you have a sample letter with you, they will probably tell you they are not able to issue the correct document. Good Luck!

The Consular Section can be contacted at visasbkk@state.gov or call 02-205-4287. When visiting the US embassy, go to window 5 in the visa section to make your request for the letter of eligibility for adoption.

The U.S. embassy in Thailand is located at 120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok.

NOTE: When you contact the Consular Section via email, you will receive an automatic reply that says they are not able to answer individual emails. Send a second email and put "2nd IV Inquiry" in the subject line. It is possible to receive the letter via snail mail, but it is much faster to stop in at US embassy to make you request.

(10) This document is only necessary if the applicants spouse is not listed as a co-applicant on the application.

(11) Copy of applicants work permit - if you are living in Thailand and submitting an application without assistance from an agency, you need to have a work permit.

NOTE: The CAC would not process our application until we had a valid work permit!

(12) References are listed on the application. Your social worker will contact your references.

NOTE: We did not need to have any of our documents certified by the US embassy as stated on the application.

If this information has been useful, please

Return to the Adoption Home Page