Stand alone I-130 for stepchild(ren)

[jimnlena 8]

I sent the 130 in late Feb. got noa1 and not a word since

[kcoyclay1 98]

Hi guys,

My situation is a bit different. My former husband passed away 5 months after my GC was approved. At the time, he was unable to petition for my son, who lived with us, due to financial setbacks. He had cancer and we had to us wisdom regarding our finances. We were married over 2 years so I received a 10 year GC. I have recently remarried and my hubby petitioned for my son on January 30, 2012. His priority date is Feb 1.

Things went super fast for him and he received his EAD and social early this month -April. However, because of a USCIS error - they sent us information with someone else's case number that was one digit after ours, his case was transferred to CSC on March 9 "for faster processing" (lol) based on a call we made about the error. Instead of an interview, which I would have welcomed because it gets the job done quicker. I had plans for him to travel to Jamaica for summer vacation and to see his dad whom he has not seen in 6 years. Based on CSC's timeline, it appears as if his case may not be adjudicated before the end of summer.

Does anyone know at what age stepchildren are interviewed? My son will be 16 in June. My concern is the possibility of a long wait, after which CSC may just transfer his case to the local office which will delay the process even farther.

My joy in all this is the fact that he's here. I really hope that all you parents who are waiting to be reunited with your children or meet your stepchid(ren) will have a speedy process.

[beejay 123]

<snip>

My joy in all this is the fact that he's here. I really hope that all you parents who are waiting to be reunited with your children or meet your stepchid(ren) will have a speedy process.

Thanks for the encouraging words.

So sorry about the passing of your first husband. That must have been a very difficult time. I am glad you were able to find happiness again and that you have now been able to petition for your son.

If I understand your situation correctly it sounds like your son is in the US and your husband has filed the I-130 and I-485 to adjust his status. Regarding the faulty letter - do they have your address in the system correct? Have they disassociated that other case from your address? I'm not sure that what happened to you would qualify but USCIS error is a reason to expedite, it might be worth a try. I also think that it would be safe to assume that if your son has never been interviewed by USCIS or the embassy, no matter what his age, that he will be interviewed for his AOS. (For example non K1 married couples who file for AOS always have an interview and everyone here has children that range in age but all of them will have to be present at the embassy for an interview).

I'm not sure but I don't think looking at CSC timelines for the I-130 (if that is what you were looking at) will give you an accurate timeline for your situation. Check the timeline for I-485s for your local office and see what that says.

I hope your son is able to fly home to see his father. It's great that he has a relationship with him

Good luck!

[beejay 123]

I sent the 130 in late Feb. got noa1 and not a word since

It looks like you're at CSC. At least they seem to be moving along faster than VSC right now...sorry VSC folks

Let us know if you hear anything.

[jimnlena 8]

It looks like you're at CSC. At least they seem to be moving along faster than VSC right now...sorry VSC folks

Let us know if you hear anything.

Yes I know I also have LOC at VSC I think she will have citizenship before approval

[Kazulie 132]

Anyone else expecting DNA tests with their case? I wonder how much longer/more expensive it will make our cases.

[beejay 123]

We are planning for a DNA in our case(s). I think it can be very specific to the consulate and DNA collection centers but here is an overview of what I have found for our case (US embassy Manila)

Travel.state.gov overview of DNA testing-not country specific

US Embassy Manila's page on DNA testing - country specific but can be useful if your embassy doesn't have a page on DNA testing

List of accredited DNA collection sites in US - not county specific

I'm not sure if this is true of other embassies but for Manila we must wait until the DNA is requested. We cannot do it ahead of time, unfortunately. Once the test has been requested then (and the order of this might not be accurate) the parent will go to an accredited facility presumably in the US and pay for and have DNA collected. The price of this varies depending on the collection center but I think you can expect around $500. (There are cheaper tests out there from non-accredited facilities but I believe those results won't be accepted.) The easiest way to find out price is to locate the facility nearest you from the list and call them. I should note that there aren't facilities in every state and it probably is a good idea to check the list to see where the 'nearest' one is to you.

Then, according to the travel.state.gov website, when the embassy receives this they will contact the beneficiary/ies. I think some consulates do the testing onsite but most will have to go an embassy approved facility to get the test, similar to the medical. These tests will also vary according the facility performing them but it will be easy to figure out where to call and ask. The US embassy Manila website says the collection fee is P1,500 ($35) but think I think the actual processing of the test is again closer to $500-$600. Which we will have to pay for each test performed.

Time estimates seem to say between 10 days and a few months depending on case load. I think 10 days is pretty optimistic considering they need time to process and send results across the globe and then get everything linked up. We are planning on a minimum of 1 month with a worst case scenario being 3 months but this is just speculation at this point.

Short answer based on my research - a few weeks to a couple months time frame and a min. of $500 per test.

Hope that's helpful! I would love to hear if anybody else has any other information or has been through it and would like to add or correct something I said. I don't know if it's possible but I would prefer an RFE for a DNA test at CSC of NVC stage.

[DEBANDPHIL 0]

just need to check something, husband filed i-130 for his stepdaughter ( my daughter ) was he supposed to also send Form G-325 A or is that when filing for spouce only any help would be great thanks..

[Kazulie 132]

We are planning for a DNA in our case(s). I think it can be very specific to the consulate and DNA collection centers but here is an overview of what I have found for our case (US embassy Manila)

Travel.state.gov overview of DNA testing-not country specific

US Embassy Manila's page on DNA testing - country specific but can be useful if your embassy doesn't have a page on DNA testing

List of accredited DNA collection sites in US - not county specific

I'm not sure if this is true of other embassies but for Manila we must wait until the DNA is requested. We cannot do it ahead of time, unfortunately. Once the test has been requested then (and the order of this might not be accurate) the parent will go to an accredited facility presumably in the US and pay for and have DNA collected. The price of this varies depending on the collection center but I think you can expect around $500. (There are cheaper tests out there from non-accredited facilities but I believe those results won't be accepted.) The easiest way to find out price is to locate the facility nearest you from the list and call them. I should note that there aren't facilities in every state and it probably is a good idea to check the list to see where the 'nearest' one is to you.

Then, according to the travel.state.gov website, when the embassy receives this they will contact the beneficiary/ies. I think some consulates do the testing onsite but most will have to go an embassy approved facility to get the test, similar to the medical. These tests will also vary according the facility performing them but it will be easy to figure out where to call and ask. The US embassy Manila website says the collection fee is P1,500 ($35) but think I think the actual processing of the test is again closer to $500-$600. Which we will have to pay for each test performed.

Time estimates seem to say between 10 days and a few months depending on case load. I think 10 days is pretty optimistic considering they need time to process and send results across the globe and then get everything linked up. We are planning on a minimum of 1 month with a worst case scenario being 3 months but this is just speculation at this point.

Short answer based on my research - a few weeks to a couple months time frame and a min. of $500 per test.

Hope that's helpful! I would love to hear if anybody else has any other information or has been through it and would like to add or correct something I said. I don't know if it's possible but I would prefer an RFE for a DNA test at CSC of NVC stage.

Thanks beejay! Will be interesting to see the actual outcome. I will be following your case!

[dancehallquana 5]

wishing a speedy processing to everyone that has joined!!!

we will be going thru DNA testing as well due to the fact that Jamaica requires it normally if the parents were never married.. so although my husbands name is on the bc, we are preparing for this..and i understand the process in jamaica to go the exact way you described beejay.. we also will not know if we even have to do it until the interview..

Edited May 1, 2012 by dancehallquana

[Gigli2008 70]

just need to check something, husband filed i-130 for his stepdaughter ( my daughter ) was he supposed to also send Form G-325 A or is that when filing for spouce only any help would be great thanks..

G-325 is for spouses only.

[craig2011 0]

i ALSO AM WORKING ON MY STEP CHILDREN I-130 AND AM A LITTLE CONFUSED. In the I-130, section C the number 17, INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR ALIEN RELATIVE, IF THE i-130 IS FOR A STEP child, does anything go in the area? Or do I list the mother and the two step children?

[DEBANDPHIL 0]

thanks gigli

craig- my husband the stepdad, still put his stepdaughter down and myself ( wife ) he didnt put my eldest son as he is 24 years old and would never come to states anyway,, so yes i would list wife and all step kids you intend to now or in the future petition for, hope this helps ....debbie

[Kazulie 132]

Has anyone looked at or started this yet?

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/LingChe_NVC_ShortCut

I think this will be my job for this weekend! I want to break the record and fly through NVC in 10 days!!! (long shot since I'm expecting a DNA test, but as quickly as possible is the name of the game!

[simone24 0]

Hi VJ community,

I have a quick question I am filling out the AOS I 864 for myself and my husband, who is co-sponsoring, should we fill out an I864 or I864a for him. We are sponsoring his 9 y/o daughter from Jamaica.