degree of relationship

[immi2006 0]

Hi,

I am not sure whether or not to list degree of relationship on question #17 since we are not that closely related. After some research it does appear that are both 3rd cousins(we have a common great great grandfather). Originally I thought we were 5th cousins and was not going to list it. The only worry I have of not listing is because she visited me in the past on a visa waiver and listed she was staying with me and she listed me as a cousin. Also, she listed me as a cousin on a visa application. I am worried if we say we are not related it might cause some problems. Also if I do say we are related, do you think it will have any bearing whatsoever on the decision of the petition. I figure it might have some bearing since they ask it in the first place. Thanks for any input you might have. I am starting the process of gathering all the information for the petition and just want to make sure I do everything correctly. Any info will be greatly appreciated. thanks

[Ban Hammer 13,654]

Hi,

I am not sure whether or not to list degree of relationship on question #17 since we are not that closely related. After some research it does appear that are both 3rd cousins(we have a common great great grandfather). Originally I thought we were 5th cousins and was not going to list it. The only worry I have of not listing is because she visited me in the past on a visa waiver and listed she was staying with me and she listed me as a cousin. Also, she listed me as a cousin on a visa application. I am worried if we say we are not related it might cause some problems. Also if I do say we are related, do you think it will have any bearing whatsoever on the decision of the petition. I figure it might have some bearing since they ask it in the first place. Thanks for any input you might have. I am starting the process of gathering all the information for the petition and just want to make sure I do everything correctly. Any info will be greatly appreciated. thanks

i just asked the expert here where i work, she said great great grandfather as the common relative is 4th cousin.

regarding why that question is there, i suppose it is so they can make sure someone is not marrying their first cousin. i don't think being 4th cousin falls under the heading of close relative. hopefully aussiewench will spot this thread and weigh in, she's a gold mine of information.

[zyggy 9]

Hi,

I am not sure whether or not to list degree of relationship on question #17 since we are not that closely related. After some research it does appear that are both 3rd cousins(we have a common great great grandfather). Originally I thought we were 5th cousins and was not going to list it. The only worry I have of not listing is because she visited me in the past on a visa waiver and listed she was staying with me and she listed me as a cousin. Also, she listed me as a cousin on a visa application. I am worried if we say we are not related it might cause some problems. Also if I do say we are related, do you think it will have any bearing whatsoever on the decision of the petition. I figure it might have some bearing since they ask it in the first place. Thanks for any input you might have. I am starting the process of gathering all the information for the petition and just want to make sure I do everything correctly. Any info will be greatly appreciated. thanks

i just asked the expert here where i work, she said great great grandfather as the common relative is 4th cousin.

regarding why that question is there, i suppose it is so they can make sure someone is not marrying their first cousin. i don't think being 4th cousin falls under the heading of close relative. hopefully aussiewench will spot this thread and weigh in, she's a gold mine of information.

Actually the OP was correct, it is a 3rd cousin relationship

Common Grandparents = 1st Cousin

Common Great-Grandparents = 2nd Cousin

Common Great-Great- Grandparents = 3rd Cousin

I don't think a 3rd Cousin relationship would raise many eyebrows at the CO in terms of illegality. However, it may bring greater scrutiny on the validity of your relationship due to the problem that people have been using sham marriages to their relatives to get them into the US. In any case, you should disclose it, it could come back to bite you if you did not...

[Karen_L 1]

Hi,

I am not sure whether or not to list degree of relationship on question #17 since we are not that closely related. After some research it does appear that are both 3rd cousins(we have a common great great grandfather). Originally I thought we were 5th cousins and was not going to list it. The only worry I have of not listing is because she visited me in the past on a visa waiver and listed she was staying with me and she listed me as a cousin. Also, she listed me as a cousin on a visa application. I am worried if we say we are not related it might cause some problems. Also if I do say we are related, do you think it will have any bearing whatsoever on the decision of the petition. I figure it might have some bearing since they ask it in the first place. Thanks for any input you might have. I am starting the process of gathering all the information for the petition and just want to make sure I do everything correctly. Any info will be greatly appreciated. thanks

Well, this is solely my opinion -- but if I were you, I'd write down 4th cousins. You have to write it since she listed you as her cousin a bunch of places, but 4th cousin is a distant blood relationship and I doubt anyone will pursue it and make sure you aren't actually 3rd cousins or Fourth Cousins once Removed.

Good luck!

[zyggy 9]

Hi,

I am not sure whether or not to list degree of relationship on question #17 since we are not that closely related. After some research it does appear that are both 3rd cousins(we have a common great great grandfather). Originally I thought we were 5th cousins and was not going to list it. The only worry I have of not listing is because she visited me in the past on a visa waiver and listed she was staying with me and she listed me as a cousin. Also, she listed me as a cousin on a visa application. I am worried if we say we are not related it might cause some problems. Also if I do say we are related, do you think it will have any bearing whatsoever on the decision of the petition. I figure it might have some bearing since they ask it in the first place. Thanks for any input you might have. I am starting the process of gathering all the information for the petition and just want to make sure I do everything correctly. Any info will be greatly appreciated. thanks

Well, this is solely my opinion -- but if I were you, I'd write down 4th cousins. You have to write it since she listed you as her cousin a bunch of places, but 4th cousin is a distant blood relationship and I doubt anyone will pursue it and make sure you aren't actually 3rd cousins or Fourth Cousins once Removed.

Good luck!

A 3rd Cousin Once Removed would be your relationship with your parent's 3rd Cousin. 3rd Cousin Twice Removed with your Grandparent's 3rd Cousin, etc.

Edited May 24, 2006 by zyggy

[Joey559 1]

I have to agree with Karen. In the long run, after maybe a second glance, I don't think it will cause a problem but since she's used 'visiting cousin' to come into the country you'd probably better fess up. Good luck on the rest of your journey.

Joey

[Kajikit 65]

It's a very distant relationship... you have to put it on the form but I really wouldn't worry about it. They ask to make sure that people aren't trying to sneak their cousins/nieces/nephews etc into the country by 'marrying' them. It may be legal in some parts of the world but it has to be legal in the US or they won't give you the visa.

[immi2006 0]

Thanks again for all your input. I really appreciate the help.

[Taye500 0]

Third and remove don't count. Go ahead and get the doggy. you snoop doggy dog.