Adopter eligibility
CCC §1598/19-22: (1) age ≥25 (2) ≥15 years older than child (3) if married, both spouses must join (4) singles only for relative or exceptional cases (5) sufficient income and stable family (6) no child-related criminal record.
NYC · A5 Service
Adoption — Domestic & Intercountry under Hague 1993
Attorneys prepare adoption petitions under the Adoption Act 1979 (B.E. 2522) and Hague Convention 1993 — covering domestic Thai adoption and intercountry adoption for foreign adopters.
- Min. adopter age
- 25
- Age gap
- ≥15 yrs
- Trial period
- 6 months
- Fee
- THB 45,000
Quick answer
Adoption in Thailand goes through the Department of Children and Youth (DCY). Adopters must be ≥25 years old and ≥15 years older than the child. Foreign adopters proceed via Hague 1993 through their national Central Authority. Trial custody 6 months (domestic) or 6-12 months (intercountry) before court approval finalises the adoption.
Hague 1993 intercountry adoption
Foreign adopters route through their Central Authority (USCIS US, DfE UK, DSS Australia) → coordinate with DCY Thailand → Article 17 Approval → child leaves Thailand under Article 5. Total timeline 12-24 months. Non-Hague states such as Laos and Cambodia require bilateral agreements.
Birth-parent consent
CCC §1598/21 requires written consent from birth parents before DCY. Where the child has been in institutional care ≥1 year and parents are unreachable, the court may consent in their place (§1598/22).
Legal effect
CCC §1598/28: the child becomes the adopter's legitimate child — right to inherit, right to surname, eligible for citizenship under the Nationality Act. Relationship with birth parents ends except inheritance rights from birth parents remain (§1598/29).
Termination of adoption
CCC §§1598/31-38: three routes — (1) mutual agreement registered at district office (2) court order for serious misconduct (3) court order after the adopted child reaches majority with good cause. Termination is retroactive to the registration date.
How it works
- 1. Application + Home Study
File Kor.Ror.1 with DCY (domestic) or Central Authority (foreign) with a Home Study Report by a licensed social worker.
- 2. Suitability review
Adoption Board convenes within 60-90 days — checks income (≥THB 30,000/month), criminal record, and mental health.
- 3. Matching + placement
DCY matches child with family → visits at children's home → 6-month trial custody under Adoption Act §19.
- 4. Follow-up reports
Two social-worker visits during the trial period with a fitness report to DCY.
- 5. Court + registration
Petition to the Juvenile and Family Court → court order → registered at the district office under CCC §1598/27.
FAQ
Can foreigners adopt Thai children?
Yes via Hague 1993 — 30+ contracting states including US, UK, Australia. Timeline 12-24 months.
Can same-sex couples adopt?
Since the Marriage Equality Act (22 January 2025) registered same-sex spouses can jointly adopt.
At what age does the child consent?
Age 15+ requires the child's own consent (CCC §1598/20).
Does the child gain Thai citizenship immediately?
Not immediately — apply under Nationality Act §12 after adoption and 5 years' residence in Thailand.
Total cost?
THB 45,000-120,000 domestic; THB 200,000-400,000 intercountry (including translation, MFA, Apostille, travel).
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