Biometrics and bringing kids?

[VeeNDee 44]

Are we allowed to bring kids with us to our biometrics appointment? We have a 16 month old (US citizen if that matters) that is hard to find babysitting for - I know it's not ideal (trust me, toddlers are tricky) but I could strap her in the stroller while they take fingerprints/pictures..but I am not sure if that is allowed.

Does anyone have experience?!???

[Ms Hogan 295]

I had to bring my kids since they are also immigrants. I don't know what office you are going to but you might call there specifically to be sure. They might be sticklers about some rule.

I don't see how it should be a problem though.

The photo and biometrics only take but a moment or two. It is the sitting around waiting that can take some time. Maybe if your location allows walk-ins and that is convenient for you you might try that. Then if you get turned away because you have a kid with you you'll at least know that and you'll still have your appointment time slotted and come back that day with no kid! OR, if they let you in early with your kid then you can check it off the list and be done with it.

[Umka36 781]

While my wife did her biometric, I watched our son (he was 13 month at the time) in the waiting area at the Tukwila USCIS office. We were allowed to bring his snack as well.

[VeeNDee 44]

I had to bring my kids since they are also immigrants. I don't know what office you are going to but you might call there specifically to be sure. They might be sticklers about some rule.

I don't see how it should be a problem though.

The photo and biometrics only take but a moment or two. It is the sitting around waiting that can take some time. Maybe if your location allows walk-ins and that is convenient for you you might try that. Then if you get turned away because you have a kid with you you'll at least know that and you'll still have your appointment time slotted and come back that day with no kid! OR, if they let you in early with your kid then you can check it off the list and be done with it.

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately my biometrics office does not allow walk-ins when I checked people's past experiences and it's over an hour away so I can't just drop by. It's a good idea though!!

While my wife did her biometric, I watched our son (he was 13 month at the time) in the waiting area at the Tukwila USCIS office. We were allowed to bring his snack as well.

Thanks for the specific local info! My main concern is during the fingerprinting/photo taking time. I won't have anyone to watch her, so I'd have to take her and the stroller inside and if I recall from my past experience there wasn't a lot of room back there (plus it's a separate closed area).

In the end I opted to call in a favour and get a babysitter for the day just to save myself the anxiety.

[vbtwo 54]

The support center near us has a waiting area where everyone that's not getting fingerprinted is waiting right next to the area for applicants, so spouses with children can wait there.