U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand

The United States is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, an international treaty which seeks to ensure that intercountry adoptions are made in the best interests of the child and that safeguards are in place for their protection. All adoptions in another country must take place according to both U.S. and local laws for the adopted child to be eligible to immigrate to the United States. You should work with a U.S. adoption service provider specifically authorized to facilitate intercountry adoption. You can find more information about authorized adoption service providers and the intercountry adoption process at travel.state.gov and are invited to direct questions to Adoption@state.gov.

U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages. Depending on the local law, civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. If your marriage overseas was performed in accordance with local law, it is valid in the country where it took place. Whether your marriage is recognized elsewhere depends on the laws of that place.

If you get married abroad and need to know if your marriage will be recognized in the United States and what documentation may be needed, contact the office of the Attorney General of your state of residence in the United States.

Applicants 18 years old and over, born outside the United States, may claim U.S. citizenship through his/her biological parent who was a United States citizen at the time of the applicant’s birth. Please carefully review this link Obtaining U.S. Citizenship for a child born abroad requirements to find out if you may qualify for U.S. citizenship. Once the citizenship claim is established, the applicant qualifies for a first-time U.S. passport. Please note that applicants 18 years and older are not eligible for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).

Replacement copies of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) must be obtained through the Department of State Passport Vital Records Section in the United States. Embassies and Consulates cannot issue replacements. Please click on the link below for detailed instructions on how to replace a lost or stolen Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

Generally, immediate family members may accompany passport or CRBA applicants to their appointment interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and all minor children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Passport or CRBA applicants also have the option of being accompanied by an attorney at their appointment interview.

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and the Consulate in Chiang Mai cannot answer tax-related questions. Please visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website (https://www.irs.gov/) for more information on how to file U.S. federal income tax returns.

If you are a U.S. dual citizen or U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you can register with the Selective Service System.

If you reside in Thailand and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Manila, Philippines.

U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website.

The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Manila, Philippines may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services. To contact the FBU, please e-mail at FBU.Manila@ssa.gov.

The Joint United States Military Advisory Group, Thailand (JUSMAGTHAI) Retiree Activities Office (RAO) offers general assistance with Department of Defense (DoD) military benefits to U.S. military retirees, active duty U.S. military personnel about to retire, and eligible family members of the above.

• LEARN MORE: JUSMAGTHAI Retiree Activities Office
• IMPORTANT: DoD military benefits are not federal benefits. The U.S. Embassy is only able to provide limited assistance with federal benefits.

U.S. citizens can exercise right to vote even when you are overseas. The primary resource for U.S. citizens who wish to vote is the Federal Voting Assistance Program: https://www.fvap.gov/.

The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate General are here to help you exercise your right to vote and answer your voting questions. Voting from abroad is an easy three-step process that needs to be started early. Click on the link below to learn more.