Who has parental power over a child born outside marriage?

Answered by the family-law team at NYC Visa & Translation

Section 1546 provides that a child born of a woman who is not married is the legitimate child of that woman alone, so the mother holds parental power by operation of law. Under section 1547 the father becomes the legitimate father only if the parents subsequently marry, if he registers the legitimation of the child, or if a court so orders. Appearing on the birth certificate or allowing the child to use the father's surname does not by itself create legal paternity, and this frequently matters when applying for visas or passports. Ask our Thai family-law team to review your documents by phone, LINE or email before you file.