Is DCF United Kingdom possible/right for us?

[FoxandMonkey 0]

Hello all,

Very new here and having to learn lots in a very short period of time! Will try to explain our scenario in as much detail as possible. Any help/advice is greatly welcomed!

We are a couple comprised of male US/UK dual citizen (Monkey) and female UK national (Fox). I was born in the UK to a Scottish mother and American father and emigrated to the US when I was a year old where I spent the next 16 years. After 2 years of high school. I returned to the UK to study A Levels and spent a few more years before returning to the US again for a further 14 years. 4 years ago I came back to the UK following the death of my mum and 2 years ago I met my current partner who is a UK national. We have lived together for approx 18 months.

My partner and I had begun discussing emigrating back to the States eventually but 2 weeks ago that idea was made rather more critical. I have 2 boys (aged 6 and 8) back in the US who live with their mother (US citizen). Their mother was admitted to hospital and will need 3-6 months of treatment and is, therefore, unable to look after the boys. They are currently being looked after by her mother and her sister but her sister has 3 children and works full time and her mother has cancer. Time is a luxury we really don't have right now!

Currently we are not married but we are living in civil union. Based on what we have read it seems to me like getting married and then applying for DCF through Consular Services at American Embassy in London would be the quickest way to expedite a return to the US for me and for my partner to be able to join me. We can verify that we have been living together and the situation with my boys' mother can also be verified. My chief concern is whether the fact we have just married is likely to throw up red flags with the DCF process? Alternatively, if there is another possibility that we don't know about then am open to suggestions.

Thank you in advance for your help in this matter!

[bunnygirl 86]

Alternatively, if there is another possibility that we don't know about then am open to suggestions.

DCF is absolutely possible for you and normally takes 4-6 months. However, I'm not sure on your chances of an expedite. You can of course try.

Other possibilities? If the situation is as urgent as it seems then there's nothing to stop you, as a USC, moving back to the US now to look after your children. Have a quick civil wedding, file the I130 to London and then jump on a plane. You don't need to stay in the UK for the rest of the process, as long as your wife will be here to open your post from the Embassy etc.

There are no red flags in getting married and filing straight away for DCF. Maybe be prepared for your then wife to discuss it at interview but it shouldn't cause any problems.

Good luck

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Get married. File DCF. If you are concerned about the children, then go take care of them and have your new wife join you once she has a visa. You do not have to remain in the UK once you have filed the petition. You will likely need a joint sponsor for the affidavit of support since you will not have an income in the US. Read the instructions for the I-864 Affidavit of Support.

You can always go take care of the children now and do the visa later. The mom could be well before you get the visa sorted.

[FoxandMonkey 0]

Hey bunnygirl, hey Nich-Nick - this is the Fox here. Just wanted to say thank you so much for your help with this - really useful and much appreciated.

The thought of being separated for so long is pretty unpleasant; from a child care point of view, two of us would do a far better job than one, but I guess we'll just have to be patient and put out for a miraculously speedy processing time.

Thank you again

[bunnygirl 86]

Hey bunnygirl, hey Nich-Nick - this is the Fox here. Just wanted to say thank you so much for your help with this - really useful and much appreciated.

The thought of being separated for so long is pretty unpleasant; from a child care point of view, two of us would do a far better job than one, but I guess we'll just have to be patient and put out for a miraculously speedy processing time.

Thank you again

Really hope everything works out for you.

You're actually really lucky that you can file DCF, it's one of the quickest ways of filing! It usually takes between 4-6 months which I know sounds like a long time but it's really not, you'll get through this

Just some advice - once you get your interview date through, if it's a long way off, try contacting the Embassy to see if there are any cancellations that you can take. It's worth a shot

[NYPeach 13]

Hey bunnygirl, hey Nich-Nick - this is the Fox here. Just wanted to say thank you so much for your help with this - really useful and much appreciated.

The thought of being separated for so long is pretty unpleasant; from a child care point of view, two of us would do a far better job than one, but I guess we'll just have to be patient and put out for a miraculously speedy processing time.

Thank you again

The non-US citizen could always come over and stay for 90 days on the Visa Waiver so you'd cut the amount of time you'd be separated in half, if you do indeed need to be there for 6 months.