Condominium Ownership Document And Address Registration Tabien Baan
Foreigners buying a condominium in Thailand will receive 2 official government issued documents related to the condominium
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1 the condominium ownership title deed
2 the condominium house registration book
Each condominium unit has a unit title deed issued by the Provincial Land Department or its branch office and a Tabien Baan or House Registration Book issued by the local municipality.
The condominium unit title deed is the official ownership document and its use id proof of ownership. The apartment's house book primary use is registration of the unit and it's address and verification and registration of a Thai person's address living in the condominium.
The normal house book issued for each address in Thailand is the blue version of the Tabien Baan. Foreigners owning a property are usually not registered in the blue book as owner or resident. Opposite Thai nationals foreigners often have an empty blue house book.
There is a separate version of the Tabien Baan for foreigners, the 'yellow book'. It is possible for foreigners to exchange the blue book for a yellow book if the foreigner meets the requirements for the application. The required documents for a yellow book vary per location but usually require a non-immigrant visa and an ownership document such as the condominium unit title deed, but could also include a work permit or marriage certificate.
A yellow book is unusual in Thailand and it is not necessary for foreigners to exchange the blue book for a yellow book. The majority of foreigners have the blue book together with the ownership unit title deed.
Even though the foreigner is not registered in the house book foreigners usually proof their address through the Tabien Baan and the condominium title deed, or obtain a separate 'letter of residence' from the local immigration.
Overall compared to the ownership title deed the house book is not an important document and there is no need for foreigners to exchange a blue for a yellow book.