BRINGING STEPCHILDREN TO US

[ezzie 7]

First off- Thank you heaven for this site!

We are presently on the NVC stage, and we haven't gotten the affidavit from the father to allow 2 children to permanently reside in the US.

I am the biological mother, divorced (not annulled)from the father of my children. The stepdad has petitioned for them. The divorce papers granted joint custody, and they are presently residing with him.

My questions..

Will a notarized letter be sufficient, both for NVC and the consulate?

I spoke with the father's assistant last night, and I was told that the father would be okay to sign a letter/affidavit allowing them to go, but would not allow absolution of parental rights. It was such a relief that he will sign, I just need a draft that would be acceptable to the NVC.

Anyone has any inputs/experiences regarding this? We will truly appreciate it. Thanks so much.

Edited February 27, 2011 by ezzie

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

First off- Thank you heaven for this site!

We are presently on the NVC stage, and we haven't gotten the affidavit from the father to allow 2 children to permanently reside in the US.

I am the biological mother, divorced (not annulled)from the father of my children. The stepdad has petitioned for them. The divorce papers granted joint custody, and they are presently residing with him.

My questions..

Will a notarized letter be sufficient, both for NVC and the consulate?

I spoke with the father's assistant last night, and I was told that the father would be okay to sign a letter/affidavit allowing them to go, but would not allow absolution of parental rights. It was such a relief that he will sign, I just need a draft that would be acceptable to the NVC.

Anyone has any inputs/experiences regarding this? We will truly appreciate it. Thanks so much.

It is not necessary to post the same messages / questions.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/297580-i-130-bringing-stepchildren-to-us/page__p__4505761#entry4505761

[ezzie 7]

Figured I should have posted it here instead of the Regional forum. My very first as OP. So sorry.

Hope anyone can still answer...anyone?

[pixie77 2]

I am going through this process right now and the NVC didn't ask me for custody papers. In fact it says it's not applicable. Nevertheless, make sure that when they travel to the US they have DSWD clearance even if they're traveling with you just in case the authorities ask for it and a notarized letter from the dad that he is aware of the kids moving and living with you.

I am going home to be with my daughter for her medical and interview even if it's not necessary.

Best of luck.

Edited February 27, 2011 by pixie77

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

Figured I should have posted it here instead of the Regional forum. My very first as OP. So sorry.

Hope anyone can still answer...anyone?

i got your private message. not to worry it will be fixed for you.

[ezzie 7]

Thanks for your help, Ricardo. I got worried there.

[ezzie 7]

I am going through this process right now and the NVC didn't ask me for custody papers. In fact it says it's not applicable. Nevertheless, make sure that when they travel to the US they have DSWD clearance even if they're traveling with you just in case the authorities ask for it and a notarized letter from the dad that he is aware of the kids moving and living with you.

I am going home to be with my daughter for her medical and interview even if it's not necessary.

Best of luck.

Hi pixie.

Were you required at least by NVC to submit a letter/affidavit allowing her to go? You just mentioned custody papers.

Also planning to go home for their medical and interview.

[pixie77 2]

Once an interview is scheduled they will email [at least in our case] instructions on what you should do. Here's a link to the website for the documents you may need:

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/supplements/MNL-SUP-ENGL-0003-1012.pdf

This site will tell you what you should bring for the medical:

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/medical/MNL-MED-ENGL-0006-1012.pdf

Were you required at least by NVC to submit a letter/affidavit allowing her to go?

No, we were not. But I was told that upon departure the immigration authorities in Manila MAY ask for it, so you just want to be ready with the DSWD Clearance and a letter from the father that he knows the kids will be living with you in the US, have this document notarized.

You just mentioned custody papers.

We were not asked to submit this. In fact on the NVC checklist it says not applicable.

Edited February 28, 2011 by pixie77

[happyme'11 3]

First off- Thank you heaven for this site!

We are presently on the NVC stage, and we haven't gotten the affidavit from the father to allow 2 children to permanently reside in the US.

I am the biological mother, divorced (not annulled)from the father of my children. The stepdad has petitioned for them. The divorce papers granted joint custody, and they are presently residing with him.

My questions..

Will a notarized letter be sufficient, both for NVC and the consulate?

I spoke with the father's assistant last night, and I was told that the father would be okay to sign a letter/affidavit allowing them to go, but would not allow absolution of parental rights. It was such a relief that he will sign, I just need a draft that would be acceptable to the NVC.

Anyone has any inputs/experiences regarding this? We will truly appreciate it. Thanks so much.

If u are travelling with ur kids then you DO NOT need the DSWD clearance. DSWD clearance is only needed if the minor kids are travelling with somebody else beside the biological parents.

My kids just got here last NOv 2010 and no DSWD clearance was asked from me. Am not sure about the father's affidavit since my kid's biological father already passed away and even before we filed the petition for them my kid's dad was already out of the picture and i had the full custudy of my kids.

[happyme'11 3]

I am going through this process right now and the NVC didn't ask me for custody papers. In fact it says it's not applicable. Nevertheless, make sure that when they travel to the US they have DSWD clearance even if they're traveling with you just in case the authorities ask for it and a notarized letter from the dad that he is aware of the kids moving and living with you.

I am going home to be with my daughter for her medical and interview even if it's not necessary.

Best of luck.

The father's authorization is necessary. YOU DO NOT need the DSWD clearance if ur kids are travelling with u. The clearance is ONLY needed if neither one of the parent is travelling with the kids.

You may not realize it but it is important (which is better) if u are with her after she has her visa on hand as u will never know what's gonna happen during her medical exam.

ALso if u get a CFO sticker for her it is best u are there that way CFO office won't ask a bunch of documents if it's only the guardian who will accompany her.

My kids just got here on IR2 visa last November 2010.I went home as soon as they had their visa on hand. My daughter had a slight issue on her medical exam which made them stay a week more at the hotel in Manila. I would be more than willing to answer any questions u may have regarding this.

Good luck!

Edited February 28, 2011 by happyme'11

[ezzie 7]

Wow, thank you so much for all the info. Truly appreciate it.

Hope some will still share their experiences about taking the children over here, more so on the experience with NVC, the consulate, and the POE.

ezzie

[happyme'11 3]

Wow, thank you so much for all the info. Truly appreciate it.

Hope some will still share their experiences about taking the children over here, more so on the experience with NVC, the consulate, and the POE.

ezzie

Just make sure u have the custudy papers or document that ur x gives u the authorization for ur kids to live with u.

[pixie77 2]

The father's authorization is necessary. YOU DO NOT need the DSWD clearance if ur kids are travelling with u. The clearance is ONLY needed if neither one of the parent is travelling with the kids.

Hi...

I understand that you do not need a DSWD Clearance when a child is travelling with one parent, however, a recent incident in NAIA made me mention this, where a mother was quizzed about the clearance.It may be ignorance on the immigration officer's part at NAIA but this got me really wary, that's why I mentioned the words

MAY ask for it

.

[happyme'11 3]

Hi...

I understand that you do not need a DSWD Clearance when a child is travelling with one parent, however, a recent incident in NAIA made me mention this, where a mother was quizzed about the clearance.It may be ignorance on the immigration officer's part at NAIA but this got me really wary, that's why I mentioned the words .

It could be the CFO personnel forgot to put the mother's name on her child's passport stating that she is accompanying her child.

My kid's passport has annotation that me the mother is travelling with my kids and i had no problem at all even in our POE.

[Rick_ES_USA 13]

First off- Thank you heaven for this site!

We are presently on the NVC stage, and we haven't gotten the affidavit from the father to allow 2 children to permanently reside in the US.

I am the biological mother, divorced (not annulled)from the father of my children. The stepdad has petitioned for them. The divorce papers granted joint custody, and they are presently residing with him.

My questions..

Will a notarized letter be sufficient, both for NVC and the consulate?

I spoke with the father's assistant last night, and I was told that the father would be okay to sign a letter/affidavit allowing them to go, but would not allow absolution of parental rights. It was such a relief that he will sign, I just need a draft that would be acceptable to the NVC.

Anyone has any inputs/experiences regarding this? We will truly appreciate it. Thanks so much.

Please try the following link. There you will find a sample of a letter of consent for a minor child to be able to immigrate to US:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/258477-stepchildren-some-questions-answers/