I am an illegitimate child

[Ucaa 0]

My parents were never married. I was born in NY and my father's name is on my birth certificate but my parents were not married. I now want to file a green card petition for my father who lives outside the US. Although I was born in NY, I grew up in Nigeria and lived with my father primarily. I would visit my mom from time to time but lived with my dad majority of the time

 

Section 5E of the i130 instructions say that: "If your child was not legitimated before reaching 18 years of age, you must file your petition with copies of evidence that a bona fide parent-child relationship existed between you and the child before the child reached 21years of age. This may include evidence that you lived with the child, supported him or her, or otherwise showed continuing parental interest in the child’s welfare."

 

I know it references a child but the instructions are the same whether it is the parent filing for the child out the child filing for the parent. I am stumped. My father was a great provider when I lived in Nigeria and took care of everything. But there is no evidence. I went back to my high school to see if I could get invoices of him paying tuition and they had nothing. As a family, we never took pictures so I do not have any pictures of my dad before I turned 18. Everything I have is for after. 

 

Does anyone have any idea what I can do since I have no evidence that I lived with him, he supported me or showed continued parental interested in my life? Thanks in advance!

[Boiler 45,966]

Who was shown on school/medical/governmental records?

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Can you get affidavits from people who knew you as a family unit growing up - relatives, friends, schoolteacher, church minister etc?

[Ucaa 0]

@Boiler He is listed on my American birth certificate. That's it. School and medical records are nonexistent. There aren't really good record-keeping methods in Nigeria.

@SusieQQQ That's a good suggestion! Do you think that would make a big difference?

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

3 hours ago, Ucaa said:

@Boiler He is listed on my American birth certificate. That's it. School and medical records are nonexistent. There aren't really good record-keeping methods in Nigeria.

@SusieQQQ That's a good suggestion! Do you think that would make a big difference?

I’m not sure what else you can do. I would also have difficulty being able to track down school etc records from childhood so I can sympathize with you. If your dad interviews in Nigeria they will also understand it’s difficult. I would say try hard to get “objective” people giving affidavits and not just family, hence why I suggested teachers, ministers etc. if you can find anything at all that showed you and he at the same address in those years that would also help. 

[nastra30 2,349]

If you have any receipts of remittances between you two, you could also include them. Long shot but if you can find some greeting cards, birthday cards, emails between you too I think that can help. I think if you gather minor evidences here and there, together they can be major, in addition to any affidavits you can get.

Edited June 19, 2021 by nastra30

[nastra30 2,349]

13 minutes ago, nastra30 said:

If you have any receipts of remittances between you two, you could also include them. Long shot but if you can find some greeting cards, birthday cards, emails between you too I think that can help. I think if you gather minor evidences here and there, together they can be major, in addition to any affidavits you can get.

Also, if your mother can a get court affidavit acknowledging your father's involvement in your life and upbringing.