Thread: American Embassy in Vientiane

This is all very interesting since I would like to do the same. Do you have a detailed account somewhere else that I can look at? I live only 45km from the border of Laos and do not want to go through the BS of the embassy in Bangkok.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

This is all very interesting since I would like to do the same. Do you have a detailed account somewhere else that I can look at? I live only 45km from the border of Laos and do not want to go through the BS of the embassy in Bangkok.

Okay...I can give you the link now. CLICK HERE

Read most of the thread and appreciate the help. I always thought I would have to go to Bangkok to get things done, but am glad to hear it can be done in Laos too. I already have a Thai passport for my son and want to register his birth so that I can also get a US passport and SS card for him. This would entitle him to SS survivor benefits if I were to kick the bucket. Was there any problem at all since your child and wife were both from Thailand?

We had no problems at all. It was fairly simple because my son's birth certificate has my name on it. Is your name on your child's Thai birth certificate? If so, it will make things easier. Also, we needed to have the Thai birth certificate translated into English.

Although I was legally married in Thailand at the time, it's not necessary to acquire your child's official US citizenship. If you are legally married, bring your marriage certificate & an English translation.

Contact me personally if you run into any snags, or have any personal questions.

In the mean time, I'll try to be as helpful as possible on this thread. Good luck.

Thanks again and yes, my name is on my son's birth certificate and it has been translated into English. Did you fill out the required forms ahead of time or did you wait until you got to the embassy? Looks like I will be taking a trip up to Laos soon.

I remember downloading some forms off the US Embassy website, but there was a form we needed & didn't have. The staff provided it & it took a few minutes to complete...no big deal.

Spend some time seeing what you need on the US Embassy Vientiane website. Also, if you call the # with questions, they are very helpful & easy to understand.

Keep in mind, registering your child's birth is the first step. You will have to return, I think, to acquire his US passport. Unfortunately, I don't think you can register the birth, acquire the passport and apply for soc. sec. card in one shot-hopefully I'm wrong!

Originally Posted by skyywalker

Keep in mind, registering your child's birth is the first step. You will have to return, I think, to acquire his US passport. Unfortunately, I don't think you can register the birth, acquire the passport and apply for soc. sec. card in one shot-hopefully I'm wrong!

I wish you luck, but I dont think you are going to be able to register the birth of a child born in Thailand to a Thai wife at the US embassy in Lao. Not the same as a visa, which I also think was lucky to get there. But with both people residing there it is possible. But to cross a border to go to a different US embassy to register a birth of a child and get a passport in a 3rd country is bonkers.

My kids both had US passports and Thai passports before they were 5 months old. As the US passport identifies citizenship immediately. Done here where they were born. If done in Laos they will need the Thai translation the US and and Lao translation as well. Dont you think you will be asked why you are in a 3rd country? Its closer is not really happening.

Why not just do it here?

You definitely can register the birth in Laos-as we did-but the only thing is that they have to send documents to be verified in Thailand. This process takes 2-3 weeks and does require a return to Vientiane, but if you live close to the Laos border & despise Bangkok (like me) it's a much better option. You would have to return to any US Embassy to pick up the Passport as they are not issued the same day as you apply for it. If you live in Bangkok, then the US Embassy there is more convenient. Also, as I mentioned, the staff at the Laos US Embassy are great to deal with.

I will plan to give it a try Skywalker and let you know how things go. Since I am outside Udon Thani, it is much closer and less expensive than taking a trip to Bangkok. I, like you, am not fond of the idea of dealing with the Bangkok Embassy if I can do it closer and cheaper. Maybe it depends on their mood, but I figure if you have done it, you have laid the groundwork for me. I don't mind taking additional trips either. Is there a reason you took the bus and just didn't drive? Car insurance? Not knowing the area? I have always wanted to visit Vientienne and this would be a good reason to go.

Originally Posted by BobR

The entire US Government is rude and indifferent to all but the most elite Americans.

Ain't that the truth and the US Embassy in Bangkok more especially. There, they have even taught the Thai employees to be downright rude to the hapless 'Merkin who, unfortunately, requires their assistance. I dread the day I have to renew my passport...

Although you can drive into Laos, there are a bunch of hoops you have to jump through to do it. There's a lot of paperwork apparently and then there is the issue of insurance. At the time we started this process, it was easier to just take the Khon Kaen to Vientiane direct bus. Here in KK, there is a Laos Consulate, so you can get the visa before leaving town. Also, many government buildings were still shut down (or burned down!), so acquiring paperwork for the car may been difficult or impossible.

If you do figure out how to drive over the border, please let us know what the process entails.

Originally Posted by skyywalker

My wife has applied for a visa to the US twice & both times she was successful. The first time was when we were not legally married & she came to States on a student visa. She got that in Bangkok. More recently, she received a tourist visa to the US-the 10 year maximum length-which she acquired at the US embassy in Vientiane, Laos.

The employees at the US embassy in Laos were fantastic. Actually, we got to know them a bit as we also made numerous trips there to register the birth of our son, get his US passport, social security # etc. The politeness, efficiency and fluency in English really set the US Laos embassy apart from any government office I've gone to in Thailand or the US!!!

A detailed account of this whole experience can be found by clicking here.

OOPS! I can't post a link yet...sorry will do soon.

skysquaker: A detailed account sounds fascinating!

Originally Posted by spliff

Originally Posted by skyywalker

My wife has applied for a visa to the US twice & both times she was successful. The first time was when we were not legally married & she came to States on a student visa. She got that in Bangkok. More recently, she received a tourist visa to the US-the 10 year maximum length-which she acquired at the US embassy in Vientiane, Laos.

The employees at the US embassy in Laos were fantastic. Actually, we got to know them a bit as we also made numerous trips there to register the birth of our son, get his US passport, social security # etc. The politeness, efficiency and fluency in English really set the US Laos embassy apart from any government office I've gone to in Thailand or the US!!!

A detailed account of this whole experience can be found by clicking here.

OOPS! I can't post a link yet...sorry will do soon.

skysquaker: A detailed account sounds fascinating!

Enough is enough, Spliff aka dogeater from kk forum.