Crossing with a baby at POE on a K1

[Mrsjackson 300]

Hello all,

 

k1 visa approved yesterday at the Montréal consulate!!! First of all, thank you so much to everyone who answered a question on here and provided insight. This was such a smooth process because of the helpful people on this site. I encountered someone yesterday at the embassy in tears because of receiving some false information from a so called immigration lawyer and told her to ditch him and get on this site. Anyhow on to my question.

 

I have a baby with my fiancé. We already have her CRBA and I’m just wondering what exactly I’ll need to cross the border with her when I enter on my K1. So far I’m thinking that her birth certificate and CRBA will suffice? She doesn’t have a passport yet (entering by car from Canada). Will I need a letter from her dad if he’s not with us when I enter? They will see the petitioner’s name on her birth certificate so I’m not anticipating any problems but you never know. Thanks for any info! 

[JFH 12,191]

 

You won't need authority from the other parent, assuming the other parent is a USC in the USA. You would only need this if you were taking the child away from the country where the other parent lives. In your case you would only need this if the other parent was remaining in Canada. 

[Mara Liceth 134]

11 minutes ago, Mrsjackson said:

Hello all,

 

k1 visa approved yesterday at the Montréal consulate!!! First of all, thank you so much to everyone who answered a question on here and provided insight. This was such a smooth process because of the helpful people on this site. I encountered someone yesterday at the embassy in tears because of receiving some false information from a so called immigration lawyer and told her to ditch him and get on this site. Anyhow on to my question.

 

I have a baby with my fiancé. We already have her CRBA and I’m just wondering what exactly I’ll need to cross the border with her when I enter on my K1. So far I’m thinking that her birth certificate and CRBA will suffice? She doesn’t have a passport yet (entering by car from Canada). Will I need a letter from her dad if he’s not with us when I enter? They will see the petitioner’s name on her birth certificate so I’m not anticipating any problems but you never know. Thanks for any info! 

For my understanding you do have to have a letter of permission to go across the Border. I travel with my kid all the time and I will encourage You to call to the immigration Border and find out what you need to bring with you. They are very strict when it comes down to children’s safety. And you want to avoid any problems. Remember K1 visa is a one time entering and you don’t want to have any problems at the boarder.  Good luck 

[Ontarkie 14,487]

Get the letter from dad better safe then sorry. We actually got questioned more then once even going both ways.

[Boiler 46,108]

Passport is the obvious thing.

[Lemonslice 4,968]

26 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Passport is the obvious thing.

Canadian and American children under 16 can cross the land and sea border with their birth certificate or proof of citizenship. 

 

 

[geowrian 22,338]

31 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

Canadian and American children under 16 can cross the land and sea border with their birth certificate or proof of citizenship.

Don't they also need a valid photo ID? Just a BC doesn't verify that the individual in possession of it is the person mentioned on it.

[Lemonslice 4,968]

21 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Don't they also need a valid photo ID? Just a BC doesn't verify that the individual in possession of it is the person mentioned on it.

From CBP:https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/3618/kw/documents children

 

Quote

Children: U.S. citizen children ages 15 and under arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory (Canada or Mexico) may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born), a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate. If the child is a newborn and the actual birth certificate has not arrived from the Vital Records Department, we will accept a Hospital issued birth certificate.

 

Edited May 26, 2018 by Lemonslice

[Mrsjackson 300]

2 hours ago, Boiler said:

Passport is the obvious thing.

It’s not that obvious to me. My fiancé has a child from a previous relationship that he brings up to Canada from the USA with only a birth certificate and letter (unnotarized) from her mother. 

 

However I am entering with the intent to stay so I am considering the possibility it might be a little more scrutinized. 

Edited May 26, 2018 by Mrsjackson

[Mrsjackson 300]

2 hours ago, Mara Liceth said:

For my understanding you do have to have a letter of permission to go across the Border. I travel with my kid all the time and I will encourage You to call to the immigration Border and find out what you need to bring with you. They are very strict when it comes down to children’s safety. And you want to avoid any problems. Remember K1 visa is a one time entering and you don’t want to have any problems at the boarder.  Good luck 

So true. I wonder if I shouldn’t even chance it and just make her dad come through with me. 

[Mara Liceth 134]

6 minutes ago, Mrsjackson said:

So true. I wonder if I shouldn’t even chance it and just make her dad come through with me. 

I think if he can. That will be the best thing to do. If not with the notarized letter from him you will be alright 

[JFH 12,191]

3 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

Get the letter from dad better safe then sorry. We actually got questioned more then once even going both ways.

They questioned you when you were bringing American children into the USA to their father? That seems harsh!

[Ontarkie 14,487]

4 minutes ago, JFH said:

They questioned you when you were bringing American children into the USA to their father? That seems harsh!

Yes and Canada questioned me bringing my Canadian kids back to Canada too. A bit weird but not anything new. 

[Bethany123 56]

Children under 16 do not need a passport to drive across USA/Canada boarders. And since you're traveling *to* her father, you don't need any kind of waiver. If you were to travel away from him, then you would need him to sign a waiver. Best of luck! 

[Boiler 46,108]

Is there some issue with a Passport?