A house registration book, or Tabian Baan, is the official Thai record of who is registered as living at a property. Thai nationals hold a blue book and eligible foreigners a yellow book (Tor.Ror.13). Foreigners who hold land do so through a Thai limited company. It does not prove ownership — only a title deed does — but it is needed for residence, utilities and tax benefits, and is part of buying a home.
The process to register yourself in a Tabien Baan, or house registration book, is simpler than you might think and it can make your life in the Land of Smiles easier. Learn all about the types, benefits, and application process in this article by PropertySights Real Estate.
Buying a home in Thailand? Your name goes into the house registration book (tabien baan) when you complete a purchase — see our guides to Chanote title deeds and transferring property ownership, or browse condos for sale in Bangkok.
What Is a House Registration Book in Thailand?
Unlike a Chanote title deed, the Tabian Baan does not prove ownership and cannot back a home loan. It is separate from the TM30 residence notification.
A house registration book, also known as Tabien Baan, is an official government record of registered homeowners and residents associated with a property. It’s a small handbook with several pages providing details on such residents.
The front page of a Tabien Baan shows the full address and type of residence (either condominium or house).
Page two contains the details of the house holder who may or may not actually own the house. These details include full name, nationality, date of birth, and 13-digit citizen ID number.
The next pages contain the information of other occupants registered to that address.
The yellow and blue book house registrations are the most common, but there are several other types that apply to different residences and property statuses.
What Types of Tabien Baan Are There?
There are a total of five types of Tabien Baan:
- Blue book house registration (Thr. Ror. 14). For listing the names of Thai nationals and foreigners with permanent residency as a resident of a house.
- Yellow book house registration (Thr. Ror. 13). For listing the names of temporary residents (non-immigration visas) as a resident of a house.
- Temporary house registration. For temporarily registering names to a house that was constructed without permission according to the Building Control Act of Thailand or a house built in a reserved forest area. In theory, residents would apply for a regular blue or yellow book registration once a building permit is granted.
- Temporary house registration from the registry office. Used to request temporary removal from a registry when traveling abroad.
- Central house registration. Used in cases where the applicant cannot be properly registered to a house.
What Are the Benefits of a Yellow House Registration Book for Foreigners in Thailand?
The first benefit of the yellow house registration book is with regards to the Specific Business Tax (SBT) of 3.3% that normally applies to transfers of property. This charge doesn’t apply to private individuals under Thailand’s tax and property law as long as the piece of property in question has been registered as your main address for at least 1 year.
The next benefit is that a yellow Tabien Baan can be used to retrieve an official certificate of residence. This gives you the right as a foreigner to complete several legal transactions:
- Obtaining a pink alien ID card
- Obtaining a Thai driver’s license
- Purchasing automobiles
- Opening a Thai bank account
- Setting up internet or SIM card accounts
- Drawing up legal documents
- Applying for PR (permanent residence) or citizenship
What Criteria Must Foreigners Fulfill To Obtain the Yellow Book (Tor.Ror.13)?
Under Section 38 of the Civil Registration Act B.E. 1991, foreigners can obtain the yellow house registration book (Tor.Ror.13) as long as they’re in Thailand on a non-immigrant visa and are temporary residents. This also applies to the children of such people born in Thailand.
Generally there are two cases in which foreigners would be able to apply for this document. First, if they’re married to a Thai national, and second, if they’ve purchased and have ownership rights to a property in Thailand.
The less common situation for yellow book applicants is getting permission from a separate home owner. This can be more complicated, involving an interview that must be passed and a potentially longer list of documents required by the district officer.
How to Apply for Yellow Book for Foreigners – Documents and Conditions
Before putting together an application for a Tabien Baan, you should check with your Amphoe (district) or Thesaban (municipality) office as different areas sometimes require different documents. In general, you can expect the following to be required:
- Land title deed
- Construction permit
- Official sale or lease agreement
- Other documents related to the land
- Homeowners ID (original)
- Home owner’s house registration with a separate copy
- ID card of the homeowner
- Passport and visa (original)
- Official translation of passport and visa certified by Thai consulate
- Work permit (if applicable)
- 2 passport-style photos (1.5 inch size)
- Marriage certificate for those married to a Thai national
- Spouse’s ID card (original)
- Child’s birth certificate (in the case of children)
- Power of attorney in cases when not applying in person
An important condition is that there must also be 2 Thai witnesses present when submitting the application with their own Thai ID cards and Tabien Baan. In addition, several copies of documents may need to be signed, such as the marriage certificate.
What Are the Steps When Applying for the Yellow Book as a Foreigner?
When working toward obtaining a yellow house registration book, proceed in the following order:
- Visit the local Amphoe (district) or Thesaban (municipality) office that your property is located in and enquire about what documents and conditions they require for the application. Each area may differ slightly.
- Gather all documents with translations and signatures where necessary.
- Arrange for two Thai nationals over the age of 20 to accompany you to the office if required by the office you’re applying to.
- Take all necessary documents and witnesses to the office and complete application.
- Wait to receive your yellow book. It may be available the same day, but it can also take several weeks in some cases.
How Do You Add Names to the Yellow Book House Registration?
Names of dependents who are temporary visitors or on non-immigrant visas can be added to the yellow book house registration the same way the book is created in the first place. First, the dependent will need to visit the local Amphoe or Thesaban office to confirm the documents and procedures. After following the necessary steps and submitting the documents, it’s a matter of waiting for confirmation.
