Adopting my stepchild who's currently in Philippines

[Usaph 18]

I am married to a Filipina who has a 7 yr old son in the Philippines. Her son is carrying his mom's maiden name and no legal father. We are planning to file an IR2 for her son so he can come live with us here in PA. 

 

I want to legally adopt him. But before starting the IR2, we want to see the adoption options we could take.

 

1. Is it better to adopt him while he is in the Philippines

 

or

 

2. wait until he comes to US and be an immigrant/citizen then process the adoption here?

 

If anyone has done this process or similar, please gives us an idea, costs, time frames involved. This week be a great help. Thanks in advance. 😊

[USS_Voyager 1,971]

8 minutes ago, Usaph said:

wait until he comes to US and be an immigrant/citizen then process the adoption here?

That is way way way easier. 

 

Just file the I-130 for step child. You do not need to adopt him to do that. When he's here, you can adopt him all you want. 

[geowrian 22,335]

Domestic adoption would likely be a much simpler process. Just note that adoption likely wouldn't have any immigration benefits here...they go through the same process as any other stepchild of a USC.

[Usaph 18]

On 12/6/2019 at 9:29 AM, USS_Voyager said:

That is way way way easier. 

 

Just file the I-130 for step child. You do not need to adopt him to do that. When he's here, you can adopt him all you want. 

That Sounds good! Thanks alot! 

On 12/6/2019 at 9:40 AM, geowrian said:

Domestic adoption would likely be a much simpler process. Just note that adoption likely wouldn't have any immigration benefits here...they go through the same process as any other stepchild of a USC.

Thanks alot!!