Bringing my son to the U.S.

[edgaredgui 0]

I recently married my wife who is an American citizen. I have a son who is living in Venezuela with his mother. My American wife and I would like to bring my son to live in the United States. We have permission from his mother. Does my wife have to legally adopt my son even though I am his natural father? What we are trying to do are two things at once. Get my son and myself permanent residence here in the United States at the same time. But I already live here and he doesn't. Would we have to fill out special forms aside from I-130 for him. I already know the forms that I need for myself. We would like to know which forms we need for him specifically. Thank you for any help you are able to give us.

Sincerely,

Edgar

[Boiler 45,946]

How old is he?

[edgaredgui 0]

How old is he?

He is 11 years old

[Boiler 45,946]

Then your wife would apply for him, my guess is that it would be a good idea to adopt as well.

[Mononoke28 135]

I recently married my wife who is an American citizen. I have a son who is living in Venezuela with his mother. My American wife and I would like to bring my son to live in the United States. We have permission from his mother. Does my wife have to legally adopt my son even though I am his natural father? What we are trying to do are two things at once. Get my son and myself permanent residence here in the United States at the same time. But I already live here and he doesn't. Would we have to fill out special forms aside from I-130 for him. I already know the forms that I need for myself. We would like to know which forms we need for him specifically. Thank you for any help you are able to give us.

Sincerely,

Edgar

Your wife can file for your son as her step-son by filing form I-130.

There is one VJ member who already went through this with 2 step-children so she might be able to help you further. Her screen name is NArocks.

Diana

[payxibka 10,047]

The stepchild relationship to the USC is sufficient as long as it was created before the age of 18. Adoption is not required.

Edited October 6, 2008 by payxibka

[aaron2020 11,651]

Adoption may be bad if your son ever wants to sponsor his mother (or his half-siblings from his mother) for US immigration.

[NArocks 13]

Hi Edgar,

Yes it is just filing the I-130 with Birth certificate and a copy of the marriage certificate of the both of you. You will need a letter from the other parent stating that they allow the child to immigrate to the US ( this is at the NVC stage ) Also be sure to check the exit requirments of the country where the child currently resides. We needed a special letter from the Mom notorized in COlombia allowing the children to exit the country with the dad.

The proccess took us less than a year to complete. I petitioned my 2 step kids. I am the USC. PLease PM if you have any further questions..

PS as you can see by my timeline the kids are about 6 months behind the dad and we filed at the same time, however we were a little low on funds so we had to wait about 2 1/2 addtional months. The process is now a lot faster with the NVC as you can pay on line and get the ball rolling once the I-130 is approved.

Edited October 7, 2008 by NArocks