Step-Children and Russia

[frankd2222 0]

I am married to a Russian woman, and preparing to file for a CR-1. She has two children, who will be coming with her to the U.S.

I have read conflicting information about whether or not writen permission is required from their father for the children to leave the country. Most information says that such a document is required. But I also read that Russian law recently changed, and permisson from the father (in this case) is not required. But most sources seem to not be aware of it (if it is true). My wife even found a document online that was written by the head of security at the Moscow airport instructing security personnel to stop asking for travel permission documents, as it is no longer required by law.

We are 100% certain that her ex-husband will not give such permission, if it is required.

Does anyone out there have any solid info on this, or any references to reliable information? I appreciate the help.

[pushbrk 12,979]

I am married to a Russian woman, and preparing to file for a CR-1. She has two children, who will be coming with her to the U.S.

I have read conflicting information about whether or not writen permission is required from their father for the children to leave the country. Most information says that such a document is required. But I also read that Russian law recently changed, and permisson from the father (in this case) is not required. But most sources seem to not be aware of it (if it is true). My wife even found a document online that was written by the head of security at the Moscow airport instructing security personnel to stop asking for travel permission documents, as it is no longer required by law.

We are 100% certain that her ex-husband will not give such permission, if it is required.

Does anyone out there have any solid info on this, or any references to reliable information? I appreciate the help.

I do not but do be aware that when you file, it will be an I-130 for each intending immigrant, to result not in "a" CR1 but a CR1 and two CR2 visas.

[keshonok 0]

No, it's not required by the Russian law to have the permission of the other parent when you travel abroad, and it has been this way for a long time now. You can probably find a document online, print it out and have it with you, so that you could point it out if asked for the travel permission.

However such permission might be asked for by the US authorities. I don't know much about that though. I guess you could call the the US Embassy in Moscow and ask them. I would still try to find a consensus with the father. After all it's his child we're talking about.

[frankd2222 0]

No, it's not required by the Russian law to have the permission of the other parent when you travel abroad, and it has been this way for a long time now. You can probably find a document online, print it out and have it with you, so that you could point it out if asked for the travel permission.

However such permission might be asked for by the US authorities. I don't know much about that though. I guess you could call the the US Embassy in Moscow and ask them. I would still try to find a consensus with the father. After all it's his child we're talking about.

Thanks for the info. An agreement with the children's father would definitely be the preferred choice. But without going into details, it's not going to happen.

[NArocks 13]

You may run into an RFE at the NVC as they will ask for Custody papers or written permission allowing the children to immigrate to the US. We had no custody agreement however the Boys mother did sign the letterhad it notorized and that worked for the NVC.

[frankd2222 0]

We have the costody documentation.

My wife found found the following information on the internet. I am posting it so maybe it can help anyone else with the same question. It is in Russian, with a computer translation. Of course, if anyone has a relationship with a Russian man or woman, I assume their significant other speaks Russian.

Basically, it says that permission from the other parent is not necessary. The other parent must file their oposition in court to the child(ren) leaving. If they do so, the issue is resolved in court. In effect, the second parent must block the child(ern) from leaving Russia with a court order.

Федеральная Служба безопасности Российской Федерации

Пограничная служба

27 июня 2007 г. № 21/7/1/3

г. Москва

Ваше обращение относительно необходимости наличия нотариально заверенного согласия на выезд Вашего ребенка за границу в управлении пограничного контроля организационного департамента рассмотрено.

Информируем, что в случае выезда из Российской Федерации несовершеннолетнего гражданина Российской Федерации совместно с одним из родителей согласия на выезд ребенка за границу от второго родителя не требуется, если он не заявил о несогласии на выезд из Российской Федерации своих детей. Заявление должно быть оформлено в соответствии с положениями постановления Правительства Российской Федерации от 12 мая 2003 г. №273 "Об утверждении Правил подачи заявления о несогласии на выезд из Российской Федерации несовершеннолетнего гражданина Российской Федерации".

В случае выезда из Российской Федерации несовершеннолетнего гражданина без сопровождения родителей, он должен иметь при себе кроме паспорта нотариально оформленное согласие на выезд несовершеннолетнего гражданина Российской Федерации с указанием срока выезда и государства (государств), которое (которые) он намерен посетить.

При этом достаточно согласия одного из родителей, если от второго не поступало заявления о его несогласии на выезд своих детей.

С уважением, Первый заместитель начальника

управления пограничного контроля

организационного департамента

В. Данчин

Также приводим соответствующие статьи Федерального закона

15 августа 1996 года N 114-ФЗ

-----

РОССИЙСКАЯ ФЕДЕРАЦИЯ

ФЕДЕРАЛЬНЫЙ ЗАКОН

О ПОРЯДКЕ ВЫЕЗДА ИЗ РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ

И ВЪЕЗДА В РОССИЙСКУЮ ФЕДЕРАЦИЮ

Принят

Государственной Думой

18 июля 1996 года

(в ред. Федеральных законов от 18.07.1998 N 110-ФЗ,

от 24.06.1999 N 118-ФЗ, от 10.01.2003 N 7-ФЗ,

от 30.06.2003 N 86-ФЗ, от 29.06.2004 N 58-ФЗ,

с изм., внесенными Постановлением Конституционного Суда РФ

от 15.01.1998 N 2-П)

Каждый может свободно выезжать за пределы Российской Федерации. Гражданин Российской Федерации имеет право беспрепятственно возвращаться в Российскую Федерацию.

Статья 20. Несовершеннолетний гражданин Российской Федерации, как правило, выезжает из Российской Федерации совместно хотя бы с одним из родителей, усыновителей, опекунов или попечителей. В случае, если несовершеннолетний гражданин Российской Федерации выезжает из Российской Федерации без сопровождения, он должен иметь при себе кроме паспорта нотариально оформленное согласие названных лиц на выезд несовершеннолетнего гражданина Российской Федерации с указанием срока выезда и государства (государств), которое (которые) он намерен посетить.

(в ред. Федеральных законов от 24.06.1999 N 118-ФЗ, от 10.01.2003 N 7-ФЗ)

Статья 21. В случае, если один из родителей, усыновителей, опекунов или попечителей заявит о своем несогласии на выезд из Российской Федерации несовершеннолетнего гражданина Российской Федерации, вопрос о возможности его выезда из Российской Федерации разрешается в судебном порядке.

Порядок подачи заявления о несогласии на выезд из Российской Федерации несовершеннолетнего гражданина Российской Федерации устанавливается Правительством Российской Федерации.

(статья 21 в ред. Федерального закона от 10.01.2003 N 7-ФЗ)

COMPUTER TRANSLATION

The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation

Border Guard

June 27, 2007 № 21/7/1/3

Moscow

Your address on the need for a notarized consent to leave your child abroad for the management of border controls Organizing Department examined.

Please be informed that in case of exit from the Russian Federation of a minor citizen of the Russian Federation together with the consent of one parent to leave a child abroad from the second parent is not required if it is not expressed his opposition to the departure of the Russian Federation for their children. The application must be made in accordance with the provisions of Government of the Russian Federation dated May 12, 2003 № 273 "On approval of rules applying to disagree on the exit from the Russian Federation of a minor citizen of the Russian Federation."

In the case of exit from the Russian Federation a citizen of the minor without parents, he must have a passport other than notarial consent to the departure of a minor citizen of the Russian Federation, indicating the duration of leave and State (s) is (are) he intends to visit.

It is sufficient consent of one parent, if the second application was received on his opposition to leave their children.

Sincerely, First Deputy Head

management of border controls

Organizing Department

V. Danchin

Also provides relevant articles of the Federal Law

August 15, 1996 N 114-FZ

-----

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

FEDERAL LAW

On the Procedure for Exit from the Russian Federation

And enter the Russian Federation

Adopted

State Duma

July 18, 1996

(In ed. Federal laws of 18.07.1998 N 110-FZ,

from 24.06.1999 N 118-FZ, of 10.01.2003 N 7-FZ,

from 30.06.2003 N 86-FZ, of 29.06.2004 N 58-FZ,

as amended., as amended Decree of the Constitutional Court

from 15.01.1998 N 2-P)

Everyone may freely leave the Russian Federation. Citizens of the Russian Federation has the right freely to return to the Russian Federation.

Article 20. A minor citizen of the Russian Federation, as a rule, leave the Russian Federation, together with at least one of the parents, adoptive parents or guardians. If the minor is a citizen of the Russian Federation leave the Russian Federation without supervision, he must have a passport other than notarial consent of the persons named on the exit of a minor citizen of the Russian Federation, indicating the duration of leave and State (s) is (are) he intends to visit .

(In the edition. Federal laws of 24.06.1999 N 118-FZ, of 10.01.2003 N 7-FL)

Article 21. If one of the parents, adoptive parents or guardians, declares its opposition to leave the Russian Federation of a minor citizen of the Russian Federation, the question of his departure from the Russian Federation is settled in court.

How to Apply to disagree on the exit from the Russian Federation of a minor citizen of the Russian Federation established by the Government of the Russian Federation.

(Article 21 as amended. Federal Law of 10.01.2003 N 7-FL)

Edited May 27, 2010 by frankd2222

[keshonok 0]

You've found the right documents, and your conclusions are correct. If your spouse had the custody documentation that's all she needs. There's no shared custody in Russia, only full custody with the visitation rights for the other parent.

Still, that is the Russian law side of the problem. US authorities might still want the other parent's permission or the court order. I really don't know about that. To get it through the court order you have to prove that you asked for the permission, and get a refusal before you go to the court. Usually that is accomplished by sending the other parent a registered letter (requiring the signature on reception) with the request.

I believe in practice that is not required, and having the custody documentation is pretty much enough.

[Terry&Tigger 4]

We have filed our petition for a K-1, not a CR-1 visa, but the situation with step-children is universal I guess.

Before filing, I did a lot of research on the topic of bringing my daughter to the US with me, and also found the above quoted Federal Law that says I do not need any permission from her father. Although, just to make sure, I emailed the US Embassy in Moscow.

They wrote, 'The consent of the second parent is not necessary when a child is leaving Russian Federation accompanied by another parent. BUT the consul MIGHT ask you to submit it during your interview."

It's a Russian roulette, guys.