A Citizen Abroad

I went to the US Consulate General in Chiang Mai today to apply for Rayluk's Documentation of a U.S. Citizen Born Abroad. Doesn't really seem that bad.

(1) an official record of the child’s foreign birth.

Check!

(2) evidence of the parent(s)’ U.S. citizenship (e.g., a certified birth certificate, current U.S. passport)

Check!

(3) evidence of the parents’ marriage, if applicable.

Check!

(4) affidavits of parent(s)’ residence and physical presence in the United States.

Check!

Wow, looks like I'm ready to go! I got all my documents. All I gotta do is wait thru about 45 minutes of overly loud ex-pats asking benign questions thru the 2 inch thick safety glass. Yeah, but where can I get...? Didn't I already fill that out? ... ... ...

Finally, ticket number 008, window number 1. My turn! I tell the guy I'm there to register my son's birth abroad. He looks at me and blinks. Blinks again. It registers, and he starts grabbing at some forms. He tells me I'll need the documents I mentioned before. Cool. Got 'em all right here. Then he says I'll need multiple copies...? ohhh... And no they don't have a xerox. I'll have to come back. They're only open tuesdays and thursdays, 8:30am-11:00 for this type of services, so I guess it's thursday then. Joking, I say, well, at least I didn't have to drag everyone down here or take a passport photo. He looks back at me, blinks, and says, Oh yes, you'll need to bring your wife and baby here for an interview. Oh, and yes, we'll need a passport photo for the baby. And handed me a couple more pages of forms and directions.

Ever try taking a passport photo for a baby? Ever try wresting a bear? Boxing a Kangaroo? Well here are a few out-takes from our afternoon long adventure.

Oh, now my kid's head is much rounder than that!?