Inter-country adoption in Thailand is a carefully regulated legal process governed by Thai law and international treaty obligations. Foreign prospective adoptive parents must comply with both Thai regulations and the legal requirements of their home country. Understanding the procedures, consent rules, and government approvals involved is essential to ensuring a smooth and legally valid adoption.
Foreign prospective adoptive parents must submit their application through:
That authority will coordinate directly with Thailand’s Central Authority, the Department of Children and Youth (DCY) under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Foreign applicants cannot file an inter-country adoption application directly with Thai authorities.
A prospective foreign adoptive parent must:
Final approval remains subject to the review and discretion of Thailand’s Department of Children and Youth (DCY) and the Child Adoption Board.
Thai adoption law sets out specific consent and eligibility requirements for the child.
If the child is over 15 years of age, the child must personally give consent to the adoption.
Under the Civil and Commercial Code of Thailand, a minor is defined as a person under 20 years of age.
If the child is a minor, consent must be obtained from:
Where necessary, court approval may also be required.
The adoptive parent must obtain the consent of his or her spouse.
If the child to be adopted is married, the child’s spouse must also consent.
Spousal consent may be waived if the spouse:
Generally, inter-country adoption applications are processed for one child at a time.
Exceptions may apply in cases involving:
Each case is reviewed individually by Thailand’s Central Authority, the Department of Children and Youth (DCY) under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Due to Thailand’s domestic placement priority and Hague Convention principles, it is extremely rare for abandoned children under one year of age to be available for inter-country adoption.
Once the adoption is legally registered, it is fully recognized under Thai law.
Under the Civil and Commercial Code of Thailand, registration creates a legal parent-child relationship between the adoptive parent and the adopted child.
The adopted child becomes the lawful child of the adoptive parent, with the same rights and responsibilities as a legitimate child.
The adopted child is entitled to use the adoptive parent’s surname.
The adopted child has the right to inherit from the adoptive parent as a statutory heir.
However, the adoptive parent does not automatically inherit from the adopted child unless named in a valid will.
Upon registration, the adoptive parent obtains full parental power and authority over the child.
From the date of registration, the biological parents’ parental rights and authority over the child are terminated.
In general, both prospective adoptive parents are required to travel to Thailand as part of the inter-country adoption process.
Following approval of the pre-adoption placement, Thailand’s Central Authority, the Department of Children and Youth (DCY) under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, will schedule an appointment for the prospective adoptive parents to appear before the Child Adoption Board.
During this visit, the adoptive parents are typically required to:
Specific requirements may vary depending on ministerial regulations and the circumstances of the case.
Yes, but additional requirements may apply.
Applicants who are temporarily residing in a country other than their country of nationality must comply with the home study and eligibility requirements of the country of their habitual residence.
The competent authority in the country where the applicants currently reside must:
In general, applicants are expected to have resided in their country of habitual residence for at least six months and to remain there until the adoption process is completed. Specific requirements may vary depending on the regulations of the country concerned.
Both the country of nationality and the country of habitual residence must confirm that:
All inter-country adoption cases must be coordinated with Thailand’s Central Authority, the Department of Children and Youth (DCY) under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Inter-country adoption involves coordination between multiple government authorities, strict documentation requirements, and immigration compliance in two jurisdictions. Professional legal guidance helps minimize delays, prevent procedural errors, and ensure that your adoption is fully recognized under Thai law and in your home country.
If you are considering adopting a child from Thailand, contact our team today to schedule a confidential consultation and receive clear, step-by-step legal guidance tailored to your situation.
Legal Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Adoption procedures are subject to change based on Thai law, ministerial regulations, and administrative practice. Each case is assessed individually by the relevant authorities, including the Department of Children and Youth. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a qualified legal professional.
Licensed Attorney-At-Law | Licensed Notarial Services Attorney, The Lawyers Council of Thailand
Specialization: Civil Thai Law and Litigation for more than 30 Years
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