Child's birth certificate on DS-156K

[joe_robin66 6]

My Canadian Fiancé has a son who lives with the mother in another province. The mother has sole custody and my fiancé pays child support. I saw on the DS-156K that he has to list his son even if he isn't coming to the states, but below that section, it lists that he needs the birth certificate for any child listed. The problem is my fiance's name isn't on the birth certificate. Is there any other documentation or letter my fiancé could submit if he doesn’t have joint custody of his son? Or do they want the birth certificate regardless?

Robin

[HeatDeath 430]

Parent's names aren't listed on the "normal" birth certificates most Canadians have, but US Immigration usually wants a specific kind of birth certificate called a "long form" birth certificate - those have both parent's names listed. I would expect him to be listed on that unless the divorce/custody arrangements involved special filing to remove him. He may have to order one special from the Vital Statistics department of the province where the child was born. He may need the mother's permission and/or signature to do this.

Is he filing through Vancouver or Montreal? I filed through Vancouver, and found that for detailed questions about the consulate / visa application phase of the paperwork, emailing the consulate directly was the best way to get authoritative answers. Vancouver's email address is VancouverK@state.gov. Montreal's should be similar. Be sure to include his name as it appears on his Packet 3 paperwork, and the consulate case number.

Edited February 9, 2010 by HeatDeath

[Carlawarla 1]

That's interesting. My son, didn't come with me, and he was under 18 at the time, so his name always had to be included on everything. I didn't have to bring his BC, but at the same time, I don't know that it said I had to on my paperwork to bring. Maybe that's changed?

Anyway, if they are asking for a copy of the child's BC, I don't know that it has to be the one with the parental names anyway does it? The "long form" BC that the Canadian has to bring is for him/herself. Does it have to be the long form for the child that isn't coming anyway?

I'd email them and clarify as HeatDeath suggested.

Let us know for future reference though! Thanks!