PlatyPius and Mags (Larry and Sian)

[PlatyPius 5]

Well, if you've read the updated London topic, you've seen that Sian was approved at her interview today. She mentioned something that she did, that wasn't mentioned in any of the paperwork that she saw, that might be helpful to others, so I'm posting it here.

Sian has never been married. She has a 12 year old son from a past LTR. The father has no parental obligations, legally. He does, voluntarily, provide a small amount of support. Sian agreed to the small amount considering his financial situation (married now with a few kids), and just generally being a kind and non-greedy person. Visits between the father and Jordan are relatively few. This seems to be at least partially due to money as well; the father lives reasonably far away.

She typed up a letter essentially saying that the father was aware that Sian and Jordan would be moving to the US, and that he had no complaints about it. She then had him sign it, which he did with no problem at all. This, of course, shouldn't be required since he is not legally considered a supporting parent with custody rights. Sian wanted to cover all of the bases though.

It's a good thing that she did. During her interview, the subject came up. She stated that she had a signed letter from the father, and presented it to the interviewer. She was told that, had she not had the letter, it could have slowed things down.

So, if anyone from the UK has a child with someone they weren't married to, I think this would be a good thing to consider. It possibly saved us a lot of time.

If any of my facts here are wrong, and they may be since this was based on a short phone conversation this morning, I'm sure Mags will correct me. lol

[rebeccajo 14]

Congratulations Larry. I knew the interview was today but I hadn't seen the post of the results. Feels good doesn't it?

This makes perfect legal sense. Even though he's not 'the supporting parent with custody rights' I'm sure that in the UK, just as in the US, as the biological father he still has 'parental rights'.

Hence why adoptions can't occur without the signature of the birth father. In the US, even when there is no father listed on a birth certificate, there must be documented evidence of using every method possible to contact him (the mother usually knows who he is), plus published legal notices, before an adoption can be granted.

I realize taking a child to another country isn't the same as an adoption, but there's probably something in those CO manuals (as well as UK law) that protects the rights of birth parents. Even if they don't care, or don't deserve it.

Edited October 4, 2006 by rebeccajo

[raymaga 25]

Congrats on the successful interview.

Best wishes to your whole family.

[LaL 418]

congrats on your interview!!!

[ceriserose 1]

Congrats on the interview!

[Mags 112]

Well, everybody it has all gone a bit pear shaped to be honest.

I got a letter from the consulate today saying that they needed further evidence from my son's father before they could issue the visa.

They need a letter with him stating he has no objection to my son immigrating to the USA to live permanantly. It also has to be notarised. Now getting something notarised in Britain means you have to see a special solicitor and pay a nice fee. Anybody have any experience with British notaries?

I know there will be no problems getting his Dad to sign this...just him finding the time to do it. He works very long hours and him being able to get to the notary in the first place is just going to be a pain. He'll probably moan at me a bit and make a fuss. All stress that I can REALLY do without. Plus it is just more of a delay. I am probably looking at another week to ten days at least before it is all sorted.

What gets me more is that I actually took a letter with me saying something similar...but it wasn't notarised. It said in packet four that if you are divorced and the child is subject to a custody agreement THEN you need a letter...but we were never married and there is no custody agreement. I'm all for parental rights but this seems a little OTT.

Damn...why does everything have to be so frickin' complicated? I have to admit, after the initial feelings of euphoria I'm now RIGHT back down in the dumps.

Ho bloody hum!

Edited October 5, 2006 by mags

[rebeccajo 14]

Aw mags! That's a bummer!

I remember the first time I mentioned to Wes that something might need notarized and he acted like I had asked him to jump off the bridge! The processes are SO DIFFERENT between the UK and US. It all seems needless to me - over here all the notary is attesting to is that the signature is authentic and signed by the true person. I guess over there it means something entirely different, although I forget what it is!!!