Our story: CRBA for our child denied, entering the US with a baby transportation letter and Citizenship through the CCA

[daveycrocket9000 0]

And lastly, where do you get "certified" english translations? I could easily translate all documents myself... but this is not allowed?

I found the answer to this on the US Embassy's site while searching:

https://vn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/translators/

[Mark88 184]

It is a German certificate

Babette Schortmann

Übersetzungsbüro

+49821664713

Make sure to ask for a "Beglaubigte Übersetzung".

[Mark88 184]

does it matter where you get it translated because i can get it done in Vietnam for $5 instead of $50 in Germany. And where can I go to get it translated in Germany if you dont mind me asking ?

it doesn't matter, but you will have to find a vietnamense translator that is certfied to translate from German into English directly. Or you will have to find a translator that translates it from German into Vietnamse and then back to English. I don't know if the government agencies will go for this. Also to get a certified translation you will need to provide the original German birth certificate (so the translator can certify he saw the unaltered original of the certificate). Considering all this, just have it done in Germany or in the US to be on the safe side.

[Mark88 184]

1. While the person is under the age of 18 years --

• the person is legitimated under the law of his/her residence or domicile,
• the father acknowledges paternity of the person in writing under oath, or

You need a (official government) document stating that you are the father. Usually it is the (international) birth certificate where you as the father are listed.

I feel confident I will be able to prove I lived in the USA for over 5 years because I've been there my whole life. But how do I make "writing under oath"

At the US consulate when you submit the documents in Person during the CRBA application interview.

Also is there any issue with custody? I thought I read somewhere when doing initial research that custody must be given in writing to the US citizen but now I can't find that anywhere. Any ideas on this as well?

CRBA does not have anything to do with custody. Custody will only be an issue, if you plan on taking the child to the US without the mother.

And lastly, where do you get "certified" english translations? I could easily translate all documents myself... but this is not allowed?

It is allowed, but most likely will not be reconized. Simply because you can insert anything you want if you do it yourself. To find a certified translator, google search "Certified translation Engnglish German" (or whatever your language will be)

[linh.ng2310 0]

Babette Schortmann

Übersetzungsbüro

+49821664713

Make sure to ask for a "Beglaubigte Übersetzung".

Thank you so much

[rvvillanueva 0]

Hi, I have a somewhat similar situation. My son was born outside of wedlock, and the father is a US citizen (he was born in the US). He lived here in the Philippines his whole life because he studied here, but he went to the states every summer for two months every year until he turned 13. So he doesn't have the accumulated 2 years after the age of 14. 

 

However, there is a part that says if he's a dependent of someone who's working for the government, his stay abroad can be counted as physical presence in the states.

Quote

Time abroad counts as physical presence in the United States if the time abroad was:

•As a member of the U.S. armed forces in honorable status;

•Under the employment of the U.S. government or other qualifying organizations; or

•As a dependent unmarried son or daughter of such persons.

His father is employed at the Department of Public Works for 16 years. Will this count? What proof can we show to support this?

 

P.S. I'm not a US Citizen nor a Green Card holder. We don't have plans to get married or move to the states yet. And we are still together. 

[Khaldoun307 0]

Hi Mark,  

Thank you very much for the information you posted. It really helped me realize many things. I went through the physical presence process myself trying to acquire citizenship for my son but I didn't work out as well. Lately I applied I-130 petitions for my whole family (wife and two boys both under 18) and we are planning to travel to the US this summer. My point here, I was very disappointed when one on the lawyers told me that I have to apply for certificate of citizenship first under the CCA in order to get the passport .... and then I saw your post and it clears many things especially we are expecting a baby soon. Appertanly you don't have to wait for the physical green card, you can apply for the passport under the CCA just with the temporary green card (I-151)... Which makes things much easier for me now...  

Thank you again and I wish you and your family all the best.

[santoki 2]

My wife received her US citizenship through Naturalization in January 2012 after being a green card holder and living in the US for 20 years. She then moved to Canada to live with me in December 2012. Now, we are expecting our first child in September and we want to immediately apply for their citizenship and passport.

I see the requirements are that the US citizen parent must have spent at least 5 years in the US after the age of 14. However, does this mean that they need to be a citizen during those 5 years? Or does it also apply to those who were green card holders at the time.

[Mark88 184]

On 28.2.2017 at 10:25 PM, Khaldoun307 said:

Hi Mark,  

Thank you very much for the information you posted. It really helped me realize many things. I went through the physical presence process myself trying to acquire citizenship for my son but I didn't work out as well. Lately I applied I-130 petitions for my whole family (wife and two boys both under 18) and we are planning to travel to the US this summer. My point here, I was very disappointed when one on the lawyers told me that I have to apply for certificate of citizenship first under the CCA in order to get the passport .... and then I saw your post and it clears many things especially we are expecting a baby soon. Appertanly you don't have to wait for the physical green card, you can apply for the passport under the CCA just with the temporary green card (I-151)... Which makes things much easier for me now...  

Thank you again and I wish you and your family all the best.

 

Very glad the information could help you. It was really bad advice what your lawyer gave you. Sadly there are only very few cases that require an immigration attorney for processes and you usually can do a lot yourself. When you go apply for the passport(s), make sure to go to a passport agency you can find in major cities like Los Angeles or New York. You will be able to receive the passport(s) back within just a day or two instead of weeks. And make sure CBP issues a I-181 when you enter the US! That is your proof that the green card was entered into the system...

[Mark88 184]

On 3.3.2017 at 7:46 AM, santoki said:

My wife received her US citizenship through Naturalization in January 2012 after being a green card holder and living in the US for 20 years. She then moved to Canada to live with me in December 2012. Now, we are expecting our first child in September and we want to immediately apply for their citizenship and passport.

I see the requirements are that the US citizen parent must have spent at least 5 years in the US after the age of 14. However, does this mean that they need to be a citizen during those 5 years? Or does it also apply to those who were green card holders at the time.

 

Doesn't matter if as a GC holder or USC. If she lived there 20 years (legally) you have more than enough.

[Mark88 184]

On 27.2.2017 at 7:30 AM, rvvillanueva said:

His father is employed at the Department of Public Works for 16 years. Will this count? What proof can we show to support this?

Pay stubs, other employment verfication, confirmation letter of DPW...

[santoki 2]

9 minutes ago, Mark88 said:

 

Doesn't matter if as a GC holder or USC. If she lived there 20 years (legally) you have more than enough.

Thanks for the reply.

 

If we're using employment records as supporting documentation, is there a way to get W2s (I believe they're called that) as far back as 2004? If not, would we then have to reach out to past employers and ask for letters of past employment?

 

Would a copy of an old driver's license count? 

 

Ideally we're trying to use documentation from 2004 and on that does not include any education transcripts, so are looking for other documentation we could include and want to know much is generally sufficient.

Edited March 7, 2017 by santoki
spelling

[Mark88 184]

Just now, santoki said:

Thanks for the reply.

 

If we're using employment records as supporting documentation, is there a way to get W2s (I believe they're called that) as far back as 2004? If not, would we then have to reach out to past employers and ask for letters of past employment?

 

Would a copy of an old driver's licenses count? 

 

Ideally we're trying to use documentation from 2004 and on that does not include any education transcripts, so are looking for other documentation we could include and want to know much is generally sufficient.

You are overthinking this: your wife is a naturlized USC. This means she already had to proof a certain amount of time spent in the US to become a USC. In theory you only have to show the N-400 and that should be proof enough (throw in the expired green cards and you should be good).

A good consular officer will accept that as sole proof and issue the CRBA for your child. But there are no gurantees that you will have a good conuslar officer handling your case, so go ahead and get together whatever you have just in case.

[santoki 2]

2 minutes ago, Mark88 said:

You are overthinking this: your wife is a naturlized USC. This means she already had to proof a certain amount of time spent in the US to become a USC. In theory you only have to show the N-400 and that should be proof enough (throw in the expired green cards and you should be good).

A good consular officer will accept that as sole proof and issue the CRBA for your child. But there are no gurantees that you will have a good conuslar officer handling your case, so go ahead and get together whatever you have just in case.

Sometimes you get so concerned about making any kind of wrong step and get caught up in the bad stories that you forget it can be fairly straightforward.

We of course have her passport, N-400 and expired green cards and if they need more than that we can deal with it at that time. Thanks again.

[Tomcruze 0]

Have good day to all my wife and my daughter US born only one month. My wife go to apply her passport but they told baby father written statement. Which form I fill and where I fill it. I mean I go to embassy for DS 3053 apply. I'm from Pakistan