Government Requires Electronic Birth Certificates to Stop Citizenship Fraud
The Thai government has mandated that over 400 private hospitals nationwide submit birth certificates electronically via the Department of Provincial Administration starting December 1, 2026, to combat fraudulent citizenship claims known as the "fake father" scheme. The measure aims to increase transparency, prevent document forgery, and ensure birth data cannot be exploited to illegally obtain Thai citizenship, while clarifying that a birth certificate alone does not confer citizenship.
The government cracks down on the "fake father" scheme exploiting Thai citizenship rights by opening a channel for private hospitals to submit birth certificates electronically starting December 1.
On November 7, 2026, Nalida Periswawathana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government is upgrading measures to prevent the misuse of birth documents to fraudulently obtain Thai citizenship. The Ministry of Public Health, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, has mandated that over 400 private hospitals nationwide submit birth certificates (Form Tor Ror 1/1) through the Department of Provincial Administration's electronic system from December 1, 2026 onward, replacing paper submissions to enhance accuracy, transparency, and retrospective data verification.
Nalida added that the Ministry of Public Health, through the Department of Health Service Support, has been tasked with verifying and registering staff at private hospitals authorized to submit birth certificates, while the Department of Provincial Administration manages the electronic system to standardize data transmission, reduce document forgery loopholes, and prevent birth data from being exploited for illicit gain.
Nalida continued that the measure aligns with the policy of Public Health Minister Phatana Promphat, who ordered investigations and legal action against private hospitals involved in fabricating documents to grant Thai citizenship to children improperly, alongside integrated cooperation among the Department of Health Service Support, Department of Provincial Administration, National Health Security Office, and relevant agencies to link data and improve verification efficiency.
Nalida emphasized that a hospital's birth certificate certifies facts about the birth — date, time, place, and delivery method — not Thai citizenship. Electronic submission does not mean birth registration is automatically complete; parents or legal guardians must still file the birth report with the district registrar per regulations.
For cases involving a foreign mother and Thai father, the Ministry of Public Health directs hospitals to certify birth facts truthfully without registering the birth on the family's behalf. If paternity is in doubt, hospitals may recommend DNA testing from a state-certified institute to assist the registrar's consideration, though this is not a blanket requirement for all Thai-foreign couples or children.
"The government prioritizes the accuracy of population data and preventing Thai citizenship fraud. The electronic system will enable more effective verification of document submitters and retrospective data tracking. However, it must be clearly separated: birth certification, birth registration, and citizenship determination are distinct steps. Thai citizenship must follow the law, not be granted automatically simply because a hospital transmitted birth data," Nalida said.
Nalida urged private hospitals to prepare their systems and register authorized personnel before December 1, 2026, and closely follow guidelines from the Department of Health Service Support and Department of Provincial Administration to ensure proper implementation. Meanwhile, the public can inquire about birth registration steps from hospitals and local district offices, with the government confirming it will seriously enforce anti-corruption measures while protecting the rights of children and families under the law.
