Thai House Registration Book (Yellow Tabien Baan) For Foreigners Residing in Thailand

What Yellow Tabien Baan Is

Yellow Tabien Baan is a government-issued certificate (‘House Registration’ in English) which  lists all foreign individuals holding a ‘Temporary Stay’ or a ‘Long Stay’ visa/visa exemption who live at the condo or house address specified in the house registration book. Instantly recognisable, the Tabien Baanf or non-resident foreigners is a little booklet with a bright yellow cover and emblazoned on the front with Thailand’s emblematic Garuda and, in the upper right-hand corner, the initials ’ท.ร.13’ (short for ‘Thor Ror 13’ which is the Thai designation for the yellow house book).

What Yellow Tabien Baan Is Not

Contrary to popular belief that Yellow Tabien Bann is proof of ownership of the property, it does not even record the personal details of foreigners, unless they’re residing in the property as their main residence in Thailand.

How to get a Yellow Tabien Baan

When purchasing a property in Thailand the new owner will normally get the Tabien Baan for their new property during the transfer process at the Land Department. It’s a blue house registration book (‘Thor Ror 14’ in Thai) listing names of Thai owners and foreign owners who have permanent residency in Thailand. A non-resident foreign owner who reside in their own condo or house can exchange blue Tabien Baan to a yellow hone and add their own names. To do that, they need to apply for a yellow house book at the amphoe office which is responsible for administering civil registrations for the municipality or district in which the condo or house is located.

How to get a Yellow Tabien Baan

It's highly recommended to check with the local registration authority what precisely paperwork needs to be done, since it may differ for different locations. In any case, you will need to submit the original alongside signed photocopies of the following documents:

• current passport (containing a valid Thai entry permit)
• work permit (if any)
• marriage certificate together with your Thai spouse’s national ID card and own blue house book (if any)
• lease agreement along with your landlord’s ID and own blue Tabien Baan (if renting the property)
• existing blue house book (if exchanging)

You can also be asked to submit a notarised copy of the personal information summary of your passport translated into Thai in addition to a number of passport style photographs. It usually required to be accompanied by one or two Thai witnesses with their own blue house book and national ID card. They will be requested to certify your identity and residential status. Even having been provided by Thailand’s Interior Ministry with a Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) instruction manual that explains the ins and outs of issuing a Yellow Tabien Baan, officials at some district and local registration offices are unwilling or refuse to issue a yellow house book. Be sure, that not only are non-resident foreign nationals legally permitted to have a yellow house book but that every thesaban and amphoe office in the country is actually obliged by law to register all foreigners residing in their residence area. (based on Prefecthomes)