Manual on Legal Status Development and Access to Identification Documents to Prevent Statelessness (Thailand, 2026)

This manual, “Legal Status Development and Access to identification Documents to Prevent Statelessness,” was developed under the Breaking Barriers Project: Enabling Migrant Children to Access Education in Thailand, implemented by Save the Children Thailand and partners. The manual aims to provide practical guidance for practitioners, civil society organizations, educators, and community workers supporting migrant children and individuals at risk of statelessness in Thailand.

The document explains the legal frameworks, administrative procedures, and documentation processes related to birth registration, civil registration, and the development of legal status for individuals without Thai nationality. It outlines different types of identification documents, including birth certificates and identification cards issued to non-Thai nationals, as well as the process required to obtain or correct civil registration records.

Through practical explanations, examples of official documents, and step-by-step procedures, the manual support stakeholders in understanding how to navigate Thailand’s legal and administrative systems to ensure that migrant and stateless children can access identity documentation and essential rights. By improving access to legal identity and civil registration, the manual contributes to preventing statelessness and enabling children especially those from migrant and marginalized communities to exercise their rights to education and other fundamental services.