Adoption of K-2

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm wondering if anyone here has looked into the process or has gone through the process already? Specifically, I'm wondering if a USC can legally adopt their K-2 stepchild before they are naturalized citizens? Does the mother need to be naturalized first?

[roseTX 0]

we are in the same boat here,, me and my husband is researching also on how to adopt a K2 child,, mostly we found in the is the adoption of kids with no parents all,,,

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Check you state laws on step parent adoption. Many states have a minimum length of marriage requirement. Years ago the California requirement was 5 years of marriage.

[Dakine 26]

I'm wondering if anyone here has looked into the process or has gone through the process already? Specifically, I'm wondering if a USC can legally adopt their K-2 stepchild before they are naturalized citizens? Does the mother need to be naturalized first?

I started the adoption process 2 weeks after my step daughters entree into the US. It took about 1 1/2 months. She was K4.

She got her USC after 2 years of my legal custody.

Edited June 2, 2010 by Dakine

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I started the adoption process 2 weeks after my step daughters entree into the US. It took about 1 1/2 months. She was K4.

She got her USC after 2 years of my legal custody.

Ah, ok. So did she become a USC before your wife was eligible? Because as I understand it, dependent children under K-2 automatically become a USC when their mother (in this case) becomes a USC.

[Dakine 26]

Ah, ok. So did she become a USC before your wife was eligible? Because as I understand it, dependent children under K-2 automatically become a USC when their mother (in this case) becomes a USC.

No my wife wasn't eligible for USC for 3 years from her getting her GC.

[sunandmoon 450]

Ah, ok. So did she become a USC before your wife was eligible? Because as I understand it, dependent children under K-2 automatically become a USC when their mother (in this case) becomes a USC.

I don't know much about the process, but believe this would be derivitive citizenship.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d4c3a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d4c3a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

the other way, as mentioned by Dakine, would be for USC spouse to adopt their step child.

[jj1028 3]

we went through the process of adoption over a year ago, my son was k2.. me and my son were both conditional permanent residence when we did that, took us 3 mos... my son became US citizen (before me) after the adoption as we received a US birth certificate and were able to file for a US passport... and i am now awaiting for my 10 yrs gc...