Parental Responsibility Info

[JaEnglishGirl 34]

I will do thank you!

I called the embassy yesterday just to double check, they DEFINTELY want a notorized letter....getting it done for £50 by a notary in Stoke Newington...

[Nikki71 0]

I phoned the State Department regarding this, (I was never married to my son's father) and they said he could just write a letter, didn't have to be witnessed by a lawyer.....Would love to hear other people's experiences...

You're probably not going to want to hear this, but I was never married to my son's father and the written letter from him wasn't enough. They wanted a notarised letter from him instead.

Additionally, I was told everything was okay during the interview and that the visa was being issued. Two days later I got a letter from them requesting the notarised letter.

I'd say this to anyone, if you still have contact with your child's biological father (and he is approachable to the idea), for the sake of 70 quid...just get a notarised letter done.

Can I ask if your Son is in contact with his father and how old he is? My Daughters 15 and she's has had sporadic contact with her biological father over the years for example once or twice a year, she hasn't seen him for a few years now and no-one knows his wearabouts, both his parents have passed away so there is no-way of me finding him through them. He has never paid a single penny towards her up keep. I have a sworn afidavit and I am hoping this will be sufficient for my visa interview.

[Nikki71 0]

Oh and I was never married to him either.

[JaEnglishGirl 34]

Does anyone have an idea as to what the Embassy want written in the letter?

[Dawny&Tommy 0]

I'm quite worried about this myself now. My daughter hasn't had any contact with her dad for over 5 and a half years, she will be 15 in July. I managed to get his phone number at the end of last year, and called him to see if he'd like to know how she was. He didn't even let me speak, didnt ask how she was. I do have an old letter from my solicitor from 1994, stating, that because we were never married, I had sole parental responsibilty, his name isn't on her BC or anything either. I decided last weekend to call him and ask him if he would give me written consent, he said he would "when he had time" but i KNOW for a fact he will NOT get it notarised because it will cost him money. Im so worried now and don't know what to do.

Dawn.

Edited May 4, 2007 by Dawny&Tommy

[Mags 112]

Dawny ~ From what you have said I think your solicitors letter will suffice. Take it with you to your interview. When they ask you about it at the interview make sure you tell them he hasn't seen her for years and he is not on the BC.

Personally, I suggest that you contact the Embassy and ask them what they exactly require for you and your particular circumstances. It is the ONLY way to be sure and may just ease your mind a little. Good luck!

[Dawny&Tommy 0]

Yeah, I think I will do that on Monday. Thanks mags

Dawn.

[JaEnglishGirl 34]

Yeah, I think I will do that on Monday. Thanks mags

Dawn.

Dawny, if you know he won't do it because of the money, call a notary public in his area and see if they take credit card or cheques and send the notary the money yourself.

Then call your ex and tell them that the notary needs a firm appointment date and he very well may go.

Well that's how I'm doing it with my son's dad!!

Calling the Embassy/State Department is a bit of hit and miss, called the State Department yesterday to see what the wording of the letter should be, they said I didn't need one!!

BTW Monday is a bank holiday!!

If they say you need a letter when you call the Emabassy, could you possibly ask them how they want it worded?

Edited May 5, 2007 by AlienUKGirl

[Dawny&Tommy 0]

Oh yeah, I forgot it's a Bank holiday on Monday!

Will definately give them a call on Tuesday and find out about my situation and will ask how they would want a letter worded.

Dawn.

[Mags 112]

If they say you need a letter when you call the Emabassy, could you possibly ask them how they want it worded?

My letter, which was requested from the Embassy, said:

I, xxxx, biological father of xxxx, hereby give my permission for him to emigrate to and live permanently in the United States of America.

When the Embassy requested my letter, they specified that it must be clear that he gives permission for my son to emigrate and reside permanently in the USA.

When the letter was signed by my son's father, I gave him two copies to get signed, one for my records and one for the Embassy. I paid for the notary aswell, my son's father did not. In fact, I made the appointment aswell!

Edited May 5, 2007 by mags

[Dawny&Tommy 0]

I tried calling the Embassy this morning, one number is an un-used number (recorded message tells you so) The other number, which is for the switchboard, rings for ages, then beeps a few times and that's it, nothing, nada!

I tried quite a few times, still nothing, so I just keep trying I guess =/

Dawn.

[JaEnglishGirl 34]

I tried calling the Embassy this morning, one number is an un-used number (recorded message tells you so) The other number, which is for the switchboard, rings for ages, then beeps a few times and that's it, nothing, nada!

I tried quite a few times, still nothing, so I just keep trying I guess =/

Dawn.

Sorry to hear

Is this the premium rate number???

[Dawny&Tommy 0]

Was £1.20 per minute! (I used a calling card though)

[JaEnglishGirl 34]

Was £1.20 per minute! (I used a calling card though)

My son's dad is getting the letter done today this is what I wrote...

This is formal notification that I give permission for my son xxxxx xxxxx xxxx, date of birth xxxxx to leave the UK with his mother xxxx xxxxx xxxxxx to permanently reside in the United States. Should you require any further information, please contact me at the above address.

[JaEnglishGirl 34]

I am now foaming at the mouth.

After speaking to the notary, making an appointment with him, my son's dad turns up for him to notarize the letter.

Now, as some of you may know, all notaries here are also lawyers.

Anyway, when my son's dad passes over the letter I typed, the guy reads through it and tells him in his opinion, he advises him NOT TO SIGN IT because if I 'were to disappear' he had 'signed his rights away'!!

He then gives my son's dad a name and number of someone who can 'draft up a proper agreement with all neccessary terms and conditions'....

I'm like #######???????????? What TERMS AND CONDITIONS???

Number ONE, we were NOT married, so as per UK LAW I don't even NEED a damn letter!!

Number TWO, all he has agreed to is that my son can live in the States permanently!!

Number THREE, this appointment was NOT a legal consultation, the CONTENT of the letter was NONE of his damn business and NEITHER was his advice SOUGHT!!

LUCKILY my son's dad still went ahead and signed it.

Called the notary society to make an official complaint, have to call someone back on Tuesday.

Edited May 12, 2007 by AlienUKGirl