Step - Daughter

[FD&MDVL 58]

As I patiently wait for my Petition to be approved ( 4months and two days now )- I prepare and read and prepare some more both mentally and gathering documents. Once my petition is approved and transferred to the NVC- I want to get through the NVC process in record time. (AS I am sure we all do) - and get ready for our interview. HOPEFULLY this will be taking place MAR and- APR 2014

Today I reviewed and updated all the forms that I have - and also making preparations and plans to get what I do NOT have-

I want to have NO SPEEDBUMPS in the road to being RE-united with my family.

I MUST ADMIT - I am NOT 100% clear on what I will need for my Step Daughter---

I filed a G325A and a I130 for her along with my wife. NOTE** nothing necessary for our biological daughter because I have already completed the Report of her birth abroad and she has her USA Passport in Hand. -- which by the way still blows me away that with that evidence and documentation we cannot get a VISIT from my wife while we go through this ridiculously L-O-N-G-

MY WIFE has documentation of her relationship to her daughter of course- but there NEVER HAS BEEN A DAD in her life--

I HAVE FEARS that this is going to be an issue or am I just worrying too much--

TO COMPLICATE THINGS --- BEFORE I met my wife - she had met some American Missionaries who had a school in Honduras and they "attempted" to help my wife an offered to adopt her daughter- there was NEVER a relationship - but he is listed on some documents as the "adoptive" father-- since that time he has fallen ill and no longer is doing any missionary work and is back HOME in THE USA.

Anyone have any REAL EXPERIENCE in these types of matters?-

[FD&MDVL 58]

A Dad in her life other than I-- that is...

NO BIOLOGICAL DAD in her life I should have said

[Darnell 8,478]

so, that's two I-130s - one for the step-daugher, one for the wife.

Please confirm !

[FD&MDVL 58]

yes that is correct- TWO I130 and TWO G325A that I have filed- and two FEES too

so, that's two I-130s - one for the step-daugher, one for the wife.

Please confirm !

[Darnell 8,478]

great ! There's folk in yer portal that have gone through the process there - click the flag under your name, study their timelines and interview comments.

If you can't see your flag, come back on a PC, try again. Deep research is two thousand times better on a PC with a real web-browser.

[FD&MDVL 58]

I am on a web - browser? PC-? and...... do you have any insight to STEP DAUGHTER petitions? Just reading 146 pages of random posts gets .... tedious

great ! There's folk in yer portal that have gone through the process there - click the flag under your name, study their timelines and interview comments.

If you can't see your flag, come back on a PC, try again. Deep research is two thousand times better on a PC with a real web-browser.

[NikLR 13,227]

If the step-daughter is under the age of 16 she doesn't need a G-325a. The petition didn't require anything beyond what is stated in the instructions for the I-130. That is a copy of birth certificate and copy of marriage certificate.

At the interview she will need to provide proof of her custody. If there is in fact an "adoptive father" in this situation he needs to either sign a letter stating he agrees with the child moving to the USA or she needs court documents stating she has full custody of the child.

The child will need her own DS-261, DS-260, IV document package, and AOS package.

This is generally the requirements needed by most consulates as I have read thus far. You may want to inquire in your regional forum to see if others have a similar situation and what the Honduras embassy or consulate requires.

Once the case also reaches the NVC you can inquire with them if they need a copy of the custody papers with her IV package.

Edited December 22, 2013 by NLR

[Ning 619]

As I patiently wait for my Petition to be approved ( 4months and two days now )- I prepare and read and prepare some more both mentally and gathering documents. Once my petition is approved and transferred to the NVC- I want to get through the NVC process in record time. (AS I am sure we all do) - and get ready for our interview. HOPEFULLY this will be taking place MAR and- APR 2014

Today I reviewed and updated all the forms that I have - and also making preparations and plans to get what I do NOT have-

I want to have NO SPEEDBUMPS in the road to being RE-united with my family.

I MUST ADMIT - I am NOT 100% clear on what I will need for my Step Daughter---

I filed a G325A and a I130 for her along with my wife. NOTE** nothing necessary for our biological daughter because I have already completed the Report of her birth abroad and she has her USA Passport in Hand. -- which by the way still blows me away that with that evidence and documentation we cannot get a VISIT from my wife while we go through this ridiculously L-O-N-G-

MY WIFE has documentation of her relationship to her daughter of course- but there NEVER HAS BEEN A DAD in her life--

I HAVE FEARS that this is going to be an issue or am I just worrying too much--

TO COMPLICATE THINGS --- BEFORE I met my wife - she had met some American Missionaries who had a school in Honduras and they "attempted" to help my wife an offered to adopt her daughter- there was NEVER a relationship - but he is listed on some documents as the "adoptive" father-- since that time he has fallen ill and no longer is doing any missionary work and is back HOME in THE USA.

Anyone have any REAL EXPERIENCE in these types of matters?-

The answers you seek should come directly from the embassy.

I am pretty sure the mother will need a letter from the father allowing the child to emigrate. If that isn't possible they may accept a court order of sole custody.

I have never seen a case like this where there is another potential legal father. If that person appears on legal document then I would think that person could meet the criteria and be able to sign the letter.

[Darnell 8,478]

I am on a web - browser? PC-? and...... do you have any insight to STEP DAUGHTER petitions? Just reading 146 pages of random posts gets .... tedious

yup, i have insights to STEP Daughter petitions. However, I'll suggest if you are labelling something '146 pages of random posts' then I suggest you not find the advanced search tool, upper right hand corner. It's visible, from a PC and does not contain the word 'google' anywhere. Interview Reports for your embassy will give you a gist, in general, of what to expect - I'm sorry you not see the timeline section in your portal.

Specific things for you:

1. Make certain there is no adoptive parent in place . Chase down all the paperwork that was filed prior, making certain there is no legal doc currently in force. It smells like something was filed somewhere by some 'missionary' and you need to be certain the application for adopting died already.

2. For child's birth certificate, if it shows a father, then chase down the divorce documents and try to ascertain what the custody agreement is/was between the two parents. If Mom has the child at 100 percent, that's 2/3rds of the battle.

3. If all is clear on 1 and 2, then there is not a father restricting her from immigrating to the USA. If it is not clear, then you'll need to get some letter of permission or letter of release, signed by the birth father. If you have to present legal facts via letters of attestation, explaining 'stuff' about the step-daughter - they are submitted either with the civil docs intake at NVC or during the VISA INTERVIEW at the IV Unit.

Since you already filed, you have time to chase down the child's legal impediments to immigrating with the mother. Take advantage of that time !

[FD&MDVL 58]

YOu are correct - I went back and reviewed the papers I filed- I only completed the ONE G325A but had two I130. one for My wife and one for stepdaughter--

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND-- and it sounds like I will have to discuss with the embassy directly- NO ADOPTION was ever completed- his name was only listed as the father on the birth certificate- for whatever crazy reason- SHe was never married and had the daughter without any contact with the biological father before during or after pregnancy- gets awful personal here but in fact it was non consensual when she became pregnant --

all that said - ALL I am trying to do is make sure that WHEN that time comes I am PREPARED- and all of the questions and issues raised here are appreciated...

UNFORTUNATELY - it is NOT CLEAR CUT--- especially when it comes to HONDURAS - they make mistakes ALL THE TIME on all kinds of documents- with the little experience I have in this area -- it is actually common and trying to wade through this is both frustrating and stressfull.

Thanks for your help-- I AM trying to use my time NOW I read some other posts where people try to get documents AFTER the appointment is set and that would be a nightmare for sure. not to mention impossible.

[FD&MDVL 58]

AS a precaution- I called the Missionary father who is listed on her birth certificate- and spoke to his wife. We have kept in touch with them over the years. I asked her to have her husband write up some document saying that he has no objection to my petitioning for her emigration and or future adoption or something to that effect and will follow up and try to get that in my hands in the meantime-- any other suggestions? - again thanks

[NikLR 13,227]

yes if he is on the birth certificate you will likely need a letter from him saying it is okay for the child to immigrate to the USA (emigrate is the opposite, when someone leaves a country.)

I suggest talking to a lawyer about the "adoption" and it's consequences.