Home / Marriage & Family / Q1014
Can a foreigner adopt a Thai child?
Answered by the family-law team at NYC Visa & Translation
Yes, through the intercountry adoption procedure. Thailand is a party to the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, and the Department of Children and Youth of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security acts as the Central Authority. Applicants living abroad apply through their own Central Authority or an accredited body, submit a home study report, and complete the probationary placement period required by Thai law before the Child Adoption Board approves the case. Step-parent and blood-relative adoptions follow a modified route. Ask our Thai family-law team to review your documents by phone, LINE or email before you file.
Based on Book V of the Civil and Commercial Code as amended by the Civil and Commercial Code Amendment Act (No. 24) B.E. 2567 (in force 22 January 2025), the Family Registration Act B.E. 2478, the Child Adoption Act B.E. 2522 and the Immigration Act B.E. 2522, as at August 2026. General information only, not advice on a specific matter — verify current practice with bora.dopa.go.th, consular.mfa.go.th and immigration.go.th.
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Related questions
Official sources — marriage & family registration
The information on this page follows the official sources below. Always check the latest version before you file.
- Department of Provincial Administration — civil & family registration— Department of Provincial Administration
- Department of Consular Affairs — document legalisation— Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Office of the Council of State — Thai law database— Office of the Council of State
- Office of the Judiciary— Office of the Judiciary
- HCCH — Apostille Convention (5 October 1961) full text & status table— Hague Conference on Private International Law
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