Birth certificate and birth records
A birth certificate is issued by the registrar after a birth is notified under the Civil Registration Act B.E. 2534. It proves identity, nationality and parentage for dependant visas, school admission and civil-status filings abroad.
A birth in Thailand is notified at the registration office covering the place of birth, supported by the hospital's certificate of birth (Thor Ror 1/1). The registrar records the entry in the birth register and issues the birth certificate, which is the state document foreign authorities accept. A hospital certificate alone is usually not sufficient for visa or civil-status filings.
If the original is lost or damaged, request a registrar-certified extract of the birth register from the office where the birth was notified. A copy signed by the registrar can be used in place of the original for legalisation; a self-made photocopy without the registrar's signature will not pass consular legalisation.
For use abroad, the translation must carry every field, including the national identification number, the place of birth and the parents' particulars. Personal names must be spelled exactly as in the passport that will be filed, because receiving authorities match spellings against the passport first.
A child born abroad to a Thai parent is registered at the Thai embassy or consulate-general, which issues a Thai birth certificate. That document supports adding the child to a Thai house registration and applying for a Thai passport. Confirm the supporting documents with the Thai mission in that country first, as they vary with local law.
Documents to prepare
- The original birth certificate, or a copy signed and certified by the registrar
- National ID card or passport of the document holder
- Parents' ID cards where the holder is a minor
- The passport that will be filed, to fix the spelling of names in the translation
- A power of attorney if a representative will handle the legalisation steps
Step order
- Obtain the original or a registrar-certified copy from the office where the birth was notified
- Translate into the language the receiver requires, carrying over every field
- Have the copy or signature certified by a Notarial Services Attorney where required
- File the translation for legalisation at the Department of Consular Affairs
- Present the legalised set to the destination country's embassy where that country requires it
Pre-filing checklist
- Name spellings in the translation match the passport that will be filed
- The 13-digit national ID number is reproduced digit for digit
- Parents' particulars are complete, including titles and any former surname
- The copy bears the registrar's signature and seal, not a self-made photocopy
- Check how recent the receiver requires the copy to be before ordering a fresh extract
Practical tips
- Order more than one certified copy — some steps keep a copy on file
- Photograph every page of the original before it enters the legalisation chain
- If a name has ever been changed, always attach the change-of-name certificate as well
- Ask the receiver whether it wants an English translation or the local official language before translating
Common pitfalls
- Submitting the hospital's certificate of birth instead of the registrar's birth certificate
- Name spelling in the translation differing from the passport, forcing a refiling
- A self-made photocopy without a registrar's signature failing at legalisation
- Omitting the change-of-name certificate so the birth record and current documents disagree
Frequently asked questions
What if the birth certificate is lost?
Contact the registration office where the birth was notified and request a certified extract of the birth register. A copy signed by the registrar works for translation and legalisation exactly like the original.
Can the hospital's certificate of birth replace the birth certificate?
Generally no. It is a healthcare-facility document used only to notify the birth. Foreign authorities want the registrar's birth certificate issued under the Civil Registration Act B.E. 2534.
Does it always have to be translated into English?
It depends on the receiver. Some countries accept English; others require their own official language. Confirm with the embassy or receiving authority before translation starts.
Does a birth certificate expire?
The document itself does not expire, but many receivers require a certified copy issued within a set recent period, so check the receiver's rule before filing.
Where can a child born abroad obtain a Thai birth certificate?
The birth is registered at the Thai embassy or consulate-general in the country of birth. Supporting documents vary with local law, so ask that mission first.
Can you obtain the certificate from the registrar on our behalf?
Extracting civil-registration records is the registrar's authority and is limited to eligible applicants. We assist with everything after that: translation, attorney certification and legalisation. Contact LINE @nycli, +66-83-249-4999 or nycli@ilc.ltd.
For a document review before you file, contact us on LINE @nycli, call +66-83-249-4999 or email nycli@ilc.ltd. Our team will confirm the steps, any missing documents and a realistic timeline for your case.