Children at the Embassy

[qwerty1974 11]

Has anybody gracing this forum ever had the pleasure of attending an interview accompanied by ones children?? My daughter is fifteen and my son is twelve and they're as anxious as I am about our December 2nd date. I'd love to be able to tell them what to expect, for example...will THEY be interviewed themselves too?!

I've had a scan on the London Embassys write ups but not found anything.

Huge thanks in advance...this is far more nerve wracking than any of us imagined, especially with there being little available to read, or at least little agreement anyway, on custody/release from country issues in complicated ex-relationships.

Edited November 22, 2011 by qwerty1974

[qwerty1974 11]

LOL I swear I can hear them 'testing each other' Lord knows what on, but I heard some mention of 'so what's your favourite American TV show?!!!!) and some slight arguments over who gets to be the immigration officer and who gets to be the immigrant.....Jeez, this is going to be a long two weeks!!! Edited November 22, 2011 by qwerty1974

[geordieluvr 1]

I (the US Citizen) was fortunate enough to be able to attend the interview with my then fiance and one of his children. At the time (August, 2005)if the child is younger than 14 the child is not required to attened. So the 16 year old went with us. Yes they will be interviewed, but it is very generic questions like, have you been to the US before, is this your parent, very "kid friendly".Honestly there is nothing to worry about at all. We also had a custody issue/release. But since my finance had custody of his kids all we needed was a letter from the ex-wife stating she knew about the move to the US and approved it. It also had to be notarized (the UK version of that, I can't remember the proper term). Hope this helps. Also, if you are flying to London make sure and ask the person doing the interview for a certified copy of your passport, since you will have to surrender them for the visa. We completely forgot about this and nearly didn't have a way back to Newcastle!

Has anybody gracing this forum ever had the pleasure of attending an interview accompanied by ones children?? My daughter is fifteen and my son is twelve and they're as anxious as I am about our December 2nd date. I'd love to be able to tell them what to expect, for example...will THEY be interviewed themselves too?!

I've had a scan on the London Embassys write ups but not found anything.

Huge thanks in advance...this is far more nerve wracking than any of us imagined, especially with there being little available to read, or at least little agreement anyway, on custody/release from country issues in complicated ex-relationships.

Edited November 22, 2011 by geordieluvr

[qwerty1974 11]

Thanks for that! I think the children will be disappointed, they're preparing themselves for a flashlight in the face interrogation lol I don't have a notarised letter from their father ('difficult' past relationship, hasn't seen them for twelve years nor supports them). He WAS however kind enough to whack his signature on the bottom of the letter a solicitor sent him informing him of our intentions. Naturally I figured that'd likely not be enough so had a public notary sign an affidavit to the effect there are no custody cases and that his signature there took seven months and that its the best we'll ever get from him. Fingers crossed it'll be enough- it has to be really or else its bye bye visa, he wouldn't ever be accommodating enough to get a notary sign anything, he simply does not care enough, nor would I contact him directly...not safe to. Do you think this might be okay? Granted I know you can only give an opinion but right now I ll take what I can get

p.s thanks for the flight tip...I m not flying myself, but I ll remember that for anyone else I hear of who is....you just don't think about things like that, i know I wouldn't!

Edited November 22, 2011 by qwerty1974

[geordieluvr 1]

I think what you have is perfect. They just want to know that you aren't trying to kidnap the kids. I am sure it will be enough. We also had the same concern we wouldn't have enough but we did! YAY! Best Wishes!

Well I guess you could always do a "mock" interogation afterwards with a flashlight! LOL

Thanks for that! I think the children will be disappointed, they're preparing themselves for a flashlight in the face interrogation lol I don't have a notarised letter from their father ('difficult' past relationship, hasn't seen them for twelve years nor supports them). He WAS however kind enough to whack his signature on the bottom of the letter a solicitor sent him informing him of our intentions. Naturally I figured that'd likely not be enough so had a public notary sign an affidavit to the effect there are no custody cases and that his signature there took seven months and that its the best we'll ever get from him. Fingers crossed it'll be enough- it has to be really or else its bye bye visa, he wouldn't ever be accommodating enough to get a notary sign anything, he simply does not care enough, nor would I contact him directly...not safe to. Do you think this might be okay? Granted I know you can only give an opinion but right now I ll take what I can get

p.s thanks for the flight tip...I m not flying myself, but I ll remember that for anyone else I hear of who is....you just don't think about things like that, i know I wouldn't!

[EmmaGrayshon 3]

I'd love to be able to tell them what to expect

Tell them depending on what time of day, they can expect me as that's my date, too

[qwerty1974 11]

@Emma...I will do, we're at 9.30 am!! lols Thanks guys, massively helpful....as always