Travelling on ESTA (Exemption)

[jimmyd123 7]

Hello

 

i have posted many topics around this but I have finally booked my flight direct to the US from London next week. My fiancé gave birth to our daughter (both USC) on the 6th and will be hoping to finally see them. I have a copy of the presidential proclamation and a copy of an email from the US embassy stating that I should bring birth certificate, birth certificate, a letter of support from my fiancé stating I’m the father, joint bank records, her medical records stating my the father, FaceTime photos of the 3 of us, copy of her passport, a letter from our local MP and minister of aviation stating I can leave the house to travel for a parent to see their child (UK lockdown rules) and waiting back for my COVID test. 
 

is there anything else which may help with checking in at Heathrow? I haven't seen many cases on here on British citizens visiting US immediate family.

 

thanks 

Edited January 24, 2021 by jimmyd123

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Sounds like you have it all covered. I assume you have been warned not to check in online but to do so physically at the airport? And you are aware the Covid test must be done within 72 hours before travel?

 

And congratulations

Edited January 24, 2021 by SusieQQQ

[jimmyd123 7]

1 minute ago, SusieQQQ said:

Sounds like you have it all covered. I assume you have been warned not to check in online but to do so physically at the airport? And you are aware the Covid test must be done within 72 hours before travel?

Yes thank you- I’m going to allow a couple of hours at least. I completed the test yesterday so I can only hope it comes in time! I fly early Tuesday morning 

[Chancy 6,243]

25 minutes ago, jimmyd123 said:

is there anything else which may help with checking in at Heathrow? I haven't seen many cases on here on British citizens visiting US immediate family.

 

There are some reports over at the UK sub-forum, mostly from spouses of USCs.  Here's an example --

 

 

[jimmyd123 7]

So they didn’t accept the birth certificate as it only had my fiancé’s name on it. I showed them medical documents showing I’m the father as well as statements from my fiancé and the paediatric doctor and I was laughed at in my face.

 

This was all done at Heathrow by someone at check in - is this classed at a refusal? I didn’t receive any paperwork from them just told I can’t check in and board.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Gee, I’m sorry that happened. If it had been clearer before that you were not listed on the birth certificate- someone here might have warned you of potential problems. Did you insist on them getting a CBP liaison or supervisor to check over the documents or was this just the airline check in staff - I’m assuming the latter? Although, no official documents showing you as father would have been a problem anyway I believe - was anything notarized?

and no this does not count as a refusal to entry - just the airline not letting you board. If someone actually laughed at you I’d take that up with customer service at the airline.

[Chancy 6,243]

5 minutes ago, jimmyd123 said:

So they didn’t accept the birth certificate as it only had my fiancé’s name on it.

 

Sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, the birth certificate should have been the primary evidence of your relationship to your US citizen child.  Since your name was not on the BC, I'm not surprised that the affidavit letters you brought were not even considered.

 

Is there any legal restriction stopping your fiancee from having your name added to your child's BC?  If she's not able to get it done, your only option to be able to visit them may be to quarantine for 14 days in a non-banned country prior to traveling to the US.

 

[jimmyd123 7]

It’s a catch 22, New Jersey law requires the father to present ID at the registrar to be on the birth certificate yet I can’t travel to be added so I’m stuck. 
An initial employee from the airline checked and referred me to an American (I think she said Homeland but might be wrong) and she called someone and refused. I was accused of making a birth certificate and I quote ‘ I don’t care about anything you have in your folder’ and laughed as she walked away. 
After having to see my child and fiancé on FaceTime day after day it is heartbreaking 

[Crazy Cat 42,215]

16 minutes ago, jimmyd123 said:

So they didn’t accept the birth certificate as it only had my fiancé’s name on it. I showed them medical documents showing I’m the father as well as statements from my fiancé and the paediatric doctor and I was laughed at in my face.

 

This was all done at Heathrow by someone at check in - is this classed at a refusal? I didn’t receive any paperwork from them just told I can’t check in and board.

In your original post, you said you have the birth certificate.  I think most of us assumed you were listed. That would certainly have established the exemption.   I'm sorry this happened.  

[millefleur 5,047]

I see the problem arising from the fact

8 minutes ago, jimmyd123 said:

I was accused of making a birth certificate and I quote ‘ I don’t care about anything you have in your folder’ and laughed as she walked away. 
After having to see my child and fiancé on FaceTime day after day it is heartbreaking 

I'm really sorry this happened. The being accused part does not sound good....did they revoke your ESTA? Sounds like they were accusing you of falsifying documents.  

[jimmyd123 7]

1 minute ago, millefleur said:

I see the problem arising from the fact

I'm really sorry this happened. The being accused part does not sound good....did they revoke your ESTA? Sounds like they were accusing you of falsifying documents.  

She Didn’t say anything about revoking my ESTA - she said anyone could have made the certificate. She didn’t give me anything she just walked off laughing to the next person in line. 
 

Can I check this on the ESTA website?

[millefleur 5,047]

7 minutes ago, jimmyd123 said:

She Didn’t say anything about revoking my ESTA - she said anyone could have made the certificate. She didn’t give me anything she just walked off laughing to the next person in line. 
 

Can I check this on the ESTA website?

Not sure where to check that....I'm not super familiar with ESTA. Based on the site, it says this:

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1143?language=en_US

• Applicants whose ESTA applications are denied will be referred to the U.S. Department of State for information on how to apply for a visa to travel to the United States.

 

 

[jimmyd123 7]

8 minutes ago, millefleur said:

Not sure where to check that....I'm not super familiar with ESTA. Based on the site, it says this:

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1143?language=en_US

• Applicants whose ESTA applications are denied will be referred to the U.S. Department of State for information on how to apply for a visa to travel to the United States.

 

 

Thank you - I wasn’t referred to or informed of any revoked ESTA so I think it should be ok. 
 

Have to sit and wait this for the travel ban to end. 

[Chancy 6,243]

23 minutes ago, jimmyd123 said:

It’s a catch 22, New Jersey law requires the father to present ID at the registrar to be on the birth certificate yet I can’t travel to be added so I’m stuck. 

 

Many government offices have revised policies to adapt to the COVID situation.  I suggest your fiancee call the county office to ask if they'll accept a notarized Affidavit of Acknowledgement of Paternity and a notarized Certificate of Parentage form to get your name added to your child's BC.

 

Aside from the county office, here's another number to call, from https://www.nj.gov/health/vital/contact-us/faqs/index.shtml#2 --

 

What is the process to add or delete a father’s name from a birth certificate?
Since there are many unique circumstances to amending records it is suggested you contact the Record Modification Unit toll-free at 1-866-649-8726 option 4 after having reviewed the detailed information on the Corrections page.

---

 

Assuming they'll allow the BC correction without you being physically present at the county office, the process may still take time anyway.  If you are able to take time-off from work, it might be faster to just quarantine at a non-banned country than to wait for the corrected BC.

 

[jimmyd123 7]

7 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

Many government offices have revised policies to adapt to the COVID situation.  I suggest your fiancee call the county office to ask if they'll accept a notarized Affidavit of Acknowledgement of Paternity and a notarized Certificate of Parentage form to get your name added to your child's BC.

 

Aside from the county office, here's another number to call, from https://www.nj.gov/health/vital/contact-us/faqs/index.shtml#2 --

 

What is the process to add or delete a father’s name from a birth certificate?
Since there are many unique circumstances to amending records it is suggested you contact the Record Modification Unit toll-free at 1-866-649-8726 option 4 after having reviewed the detailed information on the Corrections page.

---

 

Assuming they'll allow the BC correction without you being physically present at the county office, the process may still take time anyway.  If you are able to take time-off from work, it might be faster to just quarantine at a non-banned country than to wait for the corrected BC.

 

Thank you for this Chancy. I have sent this onto my fiancé to investigate. 
Greatly appreciated