documentation for kids

[CAdreamer 14]

I know that in order to bring my kids with me to the US (on K1-K2 visas) I need a notarized document from their father, with whom I have joint custody, giving his consent.

I am wondering, though, whether any other sort of documentation will be needed once we are there. Has anyone come across any issues with schools or health insurance policies, etc, where, because there is legally joint custody, the US-based parent can't get something done without the other parent's signature/approval?

It would be perfectly easy to have my exhusband sign a document giving permission for the kids to move with me, but I wonder if there is anything else I should be adding to the document now, giving his consent for me to make decisions or giving up rights or... I don't know what else. Anything? Or do I just need his consent to get them there and everything else will be fine.

You know what it's like during the wait time... you have lots of time to think of potential problems that probably really aren't problems at all.

Thanks!

[hikergirl 277]

It wouldn't hurt to get something a little more all encompassing so that you don't need to run back to the father for things (US passport, travel out of the US to wherever), depending on what he would be willing to sign. I would talk to a family law lawyer here and see what they would recommend prior to you moving and then run it by their father to see how much he would be willing to sign away etc. If you are talking about him giving up his rights I think that would require a court order.

[CAdreamer 14]

Ahhh, travel out of the US -- good one! I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for your reply.

[carocaro 22]

I only ever had the single notarized letter from ex giving clear permission that our son was allowed to move to the USA to live full time with me. That was it.

Ex has never had to sign anything else and his name or information never came up again for school, doctors, insurance or anything else.

Only time it ever got complicated was when our son needed a new passport...luckily it expired right at same time he was turning 16 and he could do his own paperwork entirely without either parent :-)

Caro