CRBA or K2 (split topic)

[Jaime & Aisha 46]

congratulations on the ease of getting through the system, this makes you guys a subject matter expert. can you explain the time requirement, as defined by the consulate in Ethiopia?

I'm the US citizen parent, and I have not been physically present in the USA for 5 years prior to my daughter's birth in Ethiopia. If all added up, it would be about 2.5 years out of the last 5. And she is 5.

I am debating on filing a CRBA for her, or to just go with the K1/K2 (mom/her).

Her Ethiopian birth certificate lists me as her father, and she carries my last name as family name. Her passport reflects my name as well. I just don't want to complicate anything.

By the way, I learned of her birth 3 years after--long story. Mom and I are getting married, as soon as they arrive. I've been back to see them several times over the last 2 years.

What are your thoughts?

[iamwhatiam80 92]

congratulations on the ease of getting through the system, this makes you guys a subject matter expert. can you explain the time requirement, as defined by the consulate in Ethiopia?

I'm the US citizen parent, and I have not been physically present in the USA for 5 years prior to my daughter's birth in Ethiopia. If all added up, it would be about 2.5 years out of the last 5. And she is 5.

I am debating on filing a CRBA for her, or to just go with the K1/K2 (mom/her).

Her Ethiopian birth certificate lists me as her father, and she carries my last name as family name. Her passport reflects my name as well. I just don't want to complicate anything.

By the way, I learned of her birth 3 years after--long story. Mom and I are getting married, as soon as they arrive. I've been back to see them several times over the last 2 years.

What are your thoughts?

As far as I know, its not like 5 years prior to the childs birth. It could be 5 years anytime in your life, 2 of which should be after age 14.

Anyone esle, please correct me if I am wrong.

[JimmyHou 611]

congratulations on the ease of getting through the system, this makes you guys a subject matter expert. can you explain the time requirement, as defined by the consulate in Ethiopia?

I'm the US citizen parent, and I have not been physically present in the USA for 5 years prior to my daughter's birth in Ethiopia. If all added up, it would be about 2.5 years out of the last 5. And she is 5.

I am debating on filing a CRBA for her, or to just go with the K1/K2 (mom/her).

Her Ethiopian birth certificate lists me as her father, and she carries my last name as family name. Her passport reflects my name as well. I just don't want to complicate anything.

By the way, I learned of her birth 3 years after--long story. Mom and I are getting married, as soon as they arrive. I've been back to see them several times over the last 2 years.

What are your thoughts?

As far as I know, its not like 5 years prior to the childs birth. It could be 5 years anytime in your life, 2 of which should be after age 14.

Anyone esle, please correct me if I am wrong.

This is correct... the parent needs to have lived in the US for a total of 5 years at any time in his/her life including 2 years after the age of 14.

So if you lived in the US only from ages 0-4 and then again from 14-17, you meet the requirement, even if your child was born when you were in your thirties.

[Aleks&Hajji 1]

Yes, that's right. 5 years total, 2 after 14. The thing is, if your passport doesn't show it then you have to find documents that prove you were residing in the US like utility bills and such.

But that's the easy part. Its good your name is on her birth certificate, etc. I wonder, though, if they will question you not knowing about/being present for the birth and first three years. Its possible they may require a paternity test.

I think if you go the K1/K2 route your daughter can acquire citizenship when she becomes a LPR. You can check the USCIS Policy manual - its online.

You might want to post your question to the K1 forum. Maybe someone knows for sure.

Another thing - if you email the embassy asking about it they are very responsive and helpful. They can send you the checklist for crba. And the forms say *certified* copies of documents are required, but they do take notarized copies.

[Jaime & Aisha 46]

thank you!

[Ryan H 3,812]

Posts split into separate thread as poster is posting their own question and not replying to the OP of the other thread.

Edited May 15, 2015 by Ryan H

[jan22 3,056]

It's important to understand that it's not really your choice. If you meet the citizenship transmission requirements, your daughter, by law, must enter the US on a US travel document (i.e., a US passport). The CRBA is the first step to documenting her citizenship. If you try to go the K2 route because it appears easier, you may only delay the process, since the visa officer will require you to file the documents for the CRBA is it appears she has citizenship from birth.