Search the Community

Dear all I really appreciate your inputs in the issue I have. I applied for my wife form I130 back in January 2020, last March the form has been approved but unfortunately USCIS hold the form for the well known mistake on where to send the application consular office or keep it in USA for adjustment of status. to rectify the problem I submitted form I824 in March to ask USCIS to forward my case to the NVC. Processing time for this form is at least a year. Last month two major changes in our life, we had a baby and I became a US citizen. My question now Do I need to submit a new I130 for the baby or it will be dependent for my wife and just add her when filling DS260 with NVC??. Thanks in advance.

Hello VJ, There seems a nice little thread on VJ for CRBA, but I did not see many of my own questions, instead searching web and Youtube. Possibly this is because more questions/pressures are for alien spouses or alien family members. However, as my wife will likely do interview soon, I found this good acquaintance for her of the Lagos Consulate, know for its strictness due to high fraud. Also, many immigrants who become citizens and visit home may need ACS eventually, so I take it valuable for all, and hope it sheds value. Alas, here is my experience: Just sharing a generally positive experience for once about the US Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria that we have had focus on since the COVID backlog made it seem near impossible to reach. So, my wife (beneficiary) and I (U.S.C.) had a son in the waiting period for her CR-1 visa, and we knew we needed to obtain his passport prior to her interview, which is done via the CRBA(Confirmed Registration of Birth Abroad) interview. I moved to Lagos to wait for interview finding remote work. After birth, we scheduled via email instructions per Consulate website under American Citizen Services(ACS). We did not use emergency appointment, that I learned of later. In the end, we were given a date 3 months after his birth. Though we scoured for documents and organized a set, the consulate--in switching to online CRBA registration-- sent a link rather late, 3 days before the interview. Fortunately, there was enough time, in my schedule to organize documents. Both father and mother, are encouraged to attend, though it can be 1 parent-- I believe the non US must be there. We definitely over prepared, unsure of certain documents that were inaccessible like old passports or entry/exit records(from I94 online that failed to find my passport). It definitely made us more confident. However, prior to day of interview, we had asked about parking and had driven to know the location. The actual situation would be much different, however. On CRBA interview day, we chose a hotel that was 6 minutes away, and left 1.5 hrs early. In arriving at 5:20am and entering to the consulate Road, there were parking handlers dressed plainly trying to usher us in like a 10 minute walk away. As they looked dodgy, we decided to ask for information from the guards/soldiers. Outside of the Consulate, which was not particularly well marked, the solders directed us to park down, where more handlers directed, claiming a 1,000NGN parking price and attempting to sell dodgy services like passports or printouts(PLEASE DO NOT DO, OR SEND YOUR DOCUMENTS TO). It was 4 minute walk, and being early, we were 2nd to park in that road, though it did seem a little unsafe with the dodgy attendants. I'm sure they prey on unweidy interviewees, so anyone interviewing should be warned. In parking around 5:30am, I left my phone warily (as I heard they were not allowed) and we went to check in, but I realized I did not print the CRBA interview appointment letter, which worried me. I only had CRBA payment confirmation letter, but as we arrived at 5:38 in the queue for American citizens, the guard let us in ACS line. which was empty. Opposite us, was the visa queue for US visas which was full(over 50ppl+ where my wife's CR-1 line will be). I was later able to simply share my phone email later with the guards entering in. As US Citizen, we actually can bring phones into consulate, so I did walk back around 5:42am to collect that from car after initially arriving at queue station. As we arrived early, and did not have baby food, at 5:50am we quickly returned to the car to get baby food, at 5:55am at which time the parking seemed full. We came back to the ACS Queue about at about 6:10am, where the line had grown to about 4 families with several children. 5 minutes past original CRBA appt time at 6:50am, we saw consulate staff arrive in 2 buses, delayed by traffic. Then around 7am, we were invited to enter, place items for scan, and give bags. In line outside, our son definitely was hot and cried some, but at least we had his food. When we had come inside, my wife could breastfeed him in a private corner of the office inside. That alleviated some of the stress. The first part of the interview around 7:15am was collecting appropriate and qualifying documents which I had in binder. I had copies of even some documents like birth certificate that I did not have original of that were accepted. My college transcript most easily qualified my 5 year resident requirement, though I brough several years worth of tax transcripts, tax returns, and wage statements/rent receipts. They asked me to submit required documents 1 by 1 without any plastic folders or covers, so it looked a little disorganized, but they had what they needed. They had me write my name and my wife's number on some forms. One minor discrepancy was the DS-5507 form, which had at top, it not being needed, but was on the consulate's required documents. They for sure collected it. My wife, holding our son was allowed to sit down as I managed to documents. The agent took a break mid way, came back 10 minutes later, sorted the final, and gave me bill to pay for passport(CRBA payment was accepted)--after which we sat down on other side, the room now full. Around 8:00am, we finally saw the interviewers who would perform the oath. When we were called up, The interviewer was friendly, had us sign, and take oath. She asked verification questions nicely, then finally approved our application and stated the pickup details. With much relief, we exited a little before 9:00am. Again, as American Citizen, there may have been less general stress, but it was still there, and my wife felt it in different was as non-American. But it helped her see a more relaxed environment of the consulate's operations. They are doing their job. The preparation and cooperative behavior will make things go easier. Fraudulent or cases with holes likely are more prevalent in the Immigrant and non-immigrant visas line--the more reason why this consulate has a strict reputation. Still, its good to do your homework and be confident when you are legitimate. I could contend that these cases are more important and scrutinized, as they give actual US passports outside of US, however, few people would waste time faking USC documents. My wife and I will write report of the CR-1 consulate experience for her down the road, but the lessons from this side still shed light. Good experience, definitely, for myself and wife. Stressful per living abroad and the dodgy area outside, but with calm and preparation, and wisdom it will go successful!

My daughter was born oversea in 2018 while I was a green card holder. A year later I become US Citizen in 2019. I filed I-130 petition for my daughter in 2019, got approved in 2020, and got notification from the NVC. I logged in the NVC, submitted the fee, got the invoice number. Due to COVID, it wasn't in the best interest of my child to be located to the US during that time, so I took no action. NVC in 2022 notified me that unless I start taking action, they will close my case. I responded to the NVC in 2022 to let them know that now that COVID is over, I would like to move forward with the visa processing. NVC emailed me back saying the case is under review, and will let me know when its done, aka. asking me to wait until further notice. Now, 2023, the NVC mailed me a letter saying since I did nothing from their 1st letter, the case will now be close. My question is, 1. Why does the NVC suck so bad? Is there a way to file a complaint against them? There's no way to contact them beside public email inquiry. They took 2 months to response. And their response is confusing, on top of that, no way to contacting them for clarification. 2. Now that I'm a citizen, can I just go to the US Consulate at my home country where my child is currently reside to do CRBA instead of redoing the I-130? Thank you.

Hello, I am a foreign national who has had a baby with an American citizen out of wedlock. He is not on the child's birth certificate due to my home country being quite unflexible on out of wedlock couples, but we would like to instead apply for a CRBA since my kid would want to see their father soon. I was wondering if it was possible to apply for a CRBA without the US citizen father's name on it? As I am willing to go through all the DNA testing etc if necessary. Thank you

Hi Everyone, Seeking guidance from the folks on this forum on my situation. Background I am a US Citizen...previously a green card holder. Wife Green Card application approved (Have a letter form US Consulate) - But Visa not stamped yet as we opted to wait until we get the visa for my 2 kids. 2 Kids (Minor) - Waiting for their green card interview (i130 approved - Waiting for their Documents to Qualify (DQ) for the interview) 3rd New Born last month All this while I was under the impression I can easily get the US Passport for the new born child until I realized that I need 5 years physical presence in US to be eligible for getting the CRBA approved. My physical presence in US is approximately 4 years 8 months. Although I am outside United States now but i am working in US Company remotely (Private Company) currently until i can take my wife and kids along with me. I have tax returns since 2017 and i have w2's for 2022. What options do i have other than filing i-130 again? - Can I file for CBP Transportation Letter (NA - 3 Baby)? As my wife's green card application is approved she can get the visa stamped if she mails her passport to US Consulate. - Can the officer consider exception to approve the CRBA given my situation? - Can i apply for a Visit Visa for my new born kid? The concern is even if i file i-130 for my new born kid my wife will have to get the visa stamped in the next 6 months otherwise we'll have to start the process all over again for her (which is not possible) and we cannot leave behind the new born child. Appreciate any feedback and guidance. Thanks.

My daughter was recently born in Peru to a Peruvian mother and we are having issues getting all of the documentation lined up. I messed up and didn't get an appointment in time at the embassy in Lima. Our plan is to get an appointment in the Consular agency in Cusco but we will have to take an 8 hour bus to Lima and then fly to Cusco with a newborn (and then back). In addition, I am leaving for the US in a little over a week so we only have the one chance to make an appointment this week. On top of that, there are some questions about whether the certified copy of the Certificate of Live Birth is going to work. We were going to have to leave tonight on a night bus in order to make the appointment but we dont want to risk going all the way to Cusco if the documentation we have is not going to be sufficient. We want to ask the Consular agency if the CLB copy we have is going to work but they will not be able to reply until tomorrow or later (they have actually been very responsive and helpful). So this brings me to my real question, Is there any significant reason not to just wait 6 months for when I can return to Peru to do the appointment later in Lima? The difference in cost for this trip vs. our planned trip to Cusco is mostly negligible. The main reason we are pressing to get it down now is the baby's mother insists that it is better to get this down now, but can't give me any concrete reasons for why that is the case. I would like to get the baby a social security number so I can start setting things up like college funds and Life insurance benefits but I'm thinking it will be okay if we wait 6 months for that sort of thing. Is there anything else I'm not thinking of? Thank you all for your consideration and I'm sorry if this question has been asked here before. I'm currently extremely stressed and just need to know that is is worth it to press on as I have been.

Hi, Me and my wife are both US Citizens and are married for quite a while now. We recently had a baby and are applying for CRBA. Just curious to check if they checked the Pre-Natal docs and if so which ones and what questions were asked around Pre-Natal docs? Thanks!

Hello , We recieved our daughter's CRBA Certificate but found out that the Mother's name is Misspelled on the certificate . Name is correctly spelled on DS 2029 and all other documents which we submited but they printed it wrong on the certificate . ( Instead of " N " they printed " M " on the certificate ) If any one has had similar problem can u guide me what to do .

So apologies for length. Skip to TL;DR if you want to, but if you don't I will love you. So technically she is not my wife. But we might as well be. I'm a US citizen and currently in Seattle. Girlfriend gave birth recently back in the Netherlands. I came back to the US because of a family medical emergency. We are now thinking of making a permanent move to the US This separation is really affecting my mental health. With that in mind, let me just ask some questions. So if funds are not a problem would it be a bad idea For them to come to Vancouver on an eTA (essentially almost like visa-free) using baby and mom's Dutch passport (Canada normally allows 6 months stay). We get married in Vancouver and file I-130. We find an AirBnB nearby for them to stay and me when I come to visit. Mom would not be working (on maternity leave). File for baby's CRBA, US passport in Vancouver (couldn't do it in Netherlands due to situation). I cross the border frequently with or without baby (depends on feeding). Apply for a visitor record when the time comes for wife. If denied, wife goes back to Netherlands and stays at mom's. Meet at International Peace Arch whenever we can. TL;DR Is it bad idea for foreign spouse and American child to wait out USCIS process in Vancouver if US citizen spouse lives in Seattle and funds are not a problem, since working is not allowed? Should US citizen go back and forth across the border? Should US citizen parent file CRBA outside of country in which child was born in third country?

CRBA + Passport for Minor: As part of DS-11, it says you need to translate the birth certificate to English (and assuming Marriage Certificate as well, even though they don't mention it). However, since we are doing this application in Bogota, is that actually necessary? Curious if anyone has done the process as of late and can comment on this curveball. Thank you, Stephen

I had a CRBA interview one month ago for my two little daughter. The officier give a asked me to send my old US passport to check my entry/ exit history via DHL. I had already sent it one day after the interview. One month had passed and i didn't receive any notification about my status. Do you how long it takes to get any notification from them?.