One parent missing and one unknown - how to complete DS 230 form

[Ms Twinkle Toes 1]

Hello all,

I wanted to find out how others have dealt with a missing parent when completing their DS 230 form. I never knew my mother as she abandoned me as an infant and I was raised by various family members and family friends. I remember meeting her a bunch of times when I was very young but that was it and there was no relationship at all. I was told she disappeared when I was a teenager (she apparently tended to do that) - no one knows quite where she took off to and with whom and she has been gone since. She has been gone so long, the family generally presumes she is dead - this is just family talk and not an official record by the way. So looking through the form, I am unsure what to write under 'city and country of residence'. Should I write 'unknown' or 'missing' (will they not want proof of an official missing status?) or should I just enter the last city she was known by her family to have been in. Not sure how to handle this one.

Further to that, my mother did not name my father on my birth certificate so I will have a whole bunch of 'unknown' entries on my form. What do you think the implications of that will be?

Thanks in advance for your response.

[NikLR 13,227]

Does anyone know your father's name?

It's okay to answer unknown to questions that are truly unknown. Like your mother's present location.

I suggest doing as much research into answering the unknown questions as you can, but if you truly cannot find out, then it's the appropriate answer. I don't know what the implications of it will be, so hopefully someone who knows might be able to answer you better. You, or your spouse, also might try calling the NVC on Monday to see what they can tell you.

[Ms Hogan 295]

Answer as much as you can. Write 'unknown' for items that are unknown.

And I want to add that I'm very sorry you went through such a thing as a child. You must be a very strong person! Good luck on your journey.

Edited April 22, 2013 by MsHogan

[ndu26 114]

Dittio!

I dont really see any 'complications' or implications so to speak. The only thing may be if one comes back years down the down the road to say you are filing for these same parent(s). They will want to know what happened with the unkwonw. So you should be fine with your response since you have no concrete information about them.

best wishes.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.