Adopting Filipino Wife's girls

[DgoDrummer 0]

Hi Everyone - thanks for any advice/help in advance. 

        I married my Filipina wife in October of 2016. She is a GC holder. She moved to USA in 2008, followed by both her daughters in 2011. Her daughters are living with us now. My wife and her daughter are eligible to apply for US citizenship, though have not started that process. 

 

The bio father never married the girls mother (my wife), and has never paid child support; the daughters lived with him for one year after their mother moved to US in 2008. In 2009, at her request, her daughters moved in with her parents until the girls moved to USA in 2011. He was and still may be a methamphetamine /substance addict and  alcoholic, and is quite spiteful and malicious towards my wife; saying nasty things to the girls about her. Via oldest daughter's Facebook page, he has communicated that their mother is a "blank and blank,"; calling her names to her daughters. Mother decided to cut him off of any direct one-on-one communications with the daughter, other than through her FB page. Father has given out mothers FB page to his former girlfriends who have harassed my wife (before I knew her). My wife now regulates any contact with their father due to his malicious behavior and never through FB. We are not in contact currently with bio father, though my wife thinks she can track him down. I highly doubt he would consent to the adoption, as he stated once to my wife, after the daughters moved to USA, that his youngest (the daughter with his last name) was his "ticket" to get to the US. He's full of drama and will likely make this process as difficult as he can for us out of spite. I say this only to give insight into the person her and I will have to try to get consent from for adoption. And to get better advice on in these matters. 

     Oldest daughter's BC doesn't mention the father, and the younger daughter's BC does; she has his last name. 

 

I would like to adopt both the girls. Where do I start? Will it be a different process for each girI?

I've read in the US adoption papers, that the father must give consent. Does this apply to a father in the Philippines? 

I've read post on this matter on this site but all felt with a mother that was NOT holding GC or eligible to file for citizenship. 

 

I have looked into local court filings and have access to the paper work, though I do not know how the girls bio father comes into play as far as adopting the girls in the US. My plan is to call the local court house this week to discuss this, though I realize this is complicated case; likely requiring a lawyer (?). My wife's brother is a lawyer in Manila (real estate) and I have emailed him on helping us file papers in Manila if need be, and/or contacting a lawyer in Manila, specializing in these matters.

 

Any advice or help in where to start this process and how to deal with a bio father like this would be greatly appreciated. 

 

 

Thank you!

 

- Steve in Durango, CO

Edited February 12, 2017 by DgoDrummer

[Boiler 45,314]

You need a Lawyer in Colorado.

[Sagot 1,548]

Boiler said it ALL!!

 

You complete the adoption in the USA, within the state you  reside.  

Edited February 12, 2017 by Sagot

[Brassballs 47]

Requirements vary from state to state and county to county. Start your research at the county clerk of courts.

 

Everything will be MUCH easier if bio-father is not listed on either birth certificates.