CRBA concurrent with I-130 ?

[Reds89z 5]

@Gawain, glad to see your progress and can't wait to hear when you guys have passport in hand.

 

I still haven't done the CRBA but I have some years buffer.  My ex and daughter were going to go to the Kazakhstan embassy and even had an appointment, but my ex wouldn't just take our daughter, she had to take both kids and tickets at the time were about $900 each, plus she wanted me to pay for the hotel.  She then decided against it due to the cost.  Now she's taken vacation for most of the summer and it's not near a US embassy...

 

I wanted to leave some information here in case anyone else would need it.  I was researching the DS-5507 form on part 3 where it says it must be signed before a Consular Officer or a Passport Specialist.  I was directed by the county clerk to the "main" post office in Nashville and spoke to a helpful guy in the passport office there.  I showed him this form and asked if he would sign it.  He wanted to first contact someone he knows at the State Dept. to clarify.  He called me the next day and said that he would be able to sign it.  I believe that's the true "Passport Specialist" signature the form requests.  I went ahead and notarized it at my bank.  Depending on the embassy you go to, just having that form notarized may be enough.  Since I had gotten that far with the passport specialist route, I went ahead with it.  

[Gawain 23]

I think I found an additional way to do it - the US Embassy in Albania seems to also allow individuals who are over 18 to apply for a US passport.

See under "required documents"

 

https://al.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/citizenship-services/u-s-citizenship-individuals-age-18/

 

https://al.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/140/cit-claim-checklist-eng.pdf

 

Would anyone agree with my determination?

And if we choose to go here, she would not even need the entry Visa.  Thoughts????

 

[El Escocés 217]

Any news to your case Gawain? 

[Gawain 23]

No updates. Global covid has put a damper on everything for now.

 

[jan22 2,898]

On 7/3/2021 at 2:10 PM, Gawain said:

I think I found an additional way to do it - the US Embassy in Albania seems to also allow individuals who are over 18 to apply for a US passport.

See under "required documents"

 

https://al.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/citizenship-services/u-s-citizenship-individuals-age-18/

 

https://al.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/140/cit-claim-checklist-eng.pdf

 

Would anyone agree with my determination?

And if we choose to go here, she would not even need the entry Visa.  Thoughts????

 

Any US Embassy (that has an open appointment or grants an emergency appointment) will accept a passport application.  

[Gawain 23]

Apparently not.  I've written to Albania and they tell me to use the Embassy in either "Estonia, Latvia, or Georgia," all of which would be impossible for me  and my Russian daughter (with covid regs and visa requirements).  I've since written to the Ambassador of the U.S. Embassy in Albania, begging to be allowed to come there and if I get a response I will post back.

 

 

[Gawain 23]

It's been a long time.

Status update - 

I will be traveling to Estonia in August where my Russian daughter will meet me (she got a Schengen visa) and we will apply for her U.S. Passport at the embassy there.  

Question for the group - Do I let them know when I apply that there is an IR2 hanging out there, somewhere in Warsaw- or do we just apply for the Passport.  I'd hate to raise any red flags.  My plan is to get her the United States passport and then withdraw the IR2.

Thanks group, for any opinions on this.

 

 

Edited June 21, 2022 by Gawain

[Chancy 6,233]

18 hours ago, Gawain said:

Do I let them know when I apply that there is an IR2 hanging out there, somewhere in Warsaw- or do we just apply for the Passport.  I'd hate to raise any red flags.  My plan is to get her the United States passport and then withdraw the IR2.

 

When asked, always be truthful to US immigration officials.  Having an IR2 case pending does not invalidate any claim to US citizenship that your daughter may have.  I agree that you should not withdraw the IR2 case yet.  It is good insurance to enable your daughter to immigrate, in case the evidence you have is not enough to back up the claim to citizenship.

 

[Gawain 23]

 

I will not offer it up unless asked.  But I remember reading somewhere else (I think) that they couldn't legally ask about any other applications.  So this leads me to believe that they won't even ask.

Good advice, thanks.

 

 

[Chancy 6,233]

8 minutes ago, Gawain said:

I remember reading somewhere else (I think) that they couldn't legally ask about any other applications.  So this leads me to believe that they won't even ask.

 

They can ask, but they probably won't, because it doesn't matter.  Like I said, having a pending IR2 case is not relevant in determining whether someone is a US citizen at birth or not.

 

[Gawain 23]

Well, appointment has been made.  I've been emailing back and forth about a bunch of stuff.  The embassy asked me something and I'm wondering why or if I should be concerned.  They said "it would be helpful" to bring school records to show that she hasn't been outside of Russia (that she has spent her life in Russia).  I'm wondering why.  What does this have to do with a first-time application for US passport?  All I have are vaccination records and her "certificate" that she graduated the Russian equivalent of high school.

 

Thoughts?
 

[Boiler 43,436]

None that i can think of

[Gawain 23]

Thanks.  Me neither.  It really threw me for a loop.  Here was the exact quote:

 

"In addition, it would be great that your daughter also bring proof of her extended stay in Russia, like school records etc. to show that she has spent all her life outside the United States."

 

 

[Reds89z 5]

27 minutes ago, Gawain said:

Thanks.  Me neither.  It really threw me for a loop.  Here was the exact quote:

 

"In addition, it would be great that your daughter also bring proof of her extended stay in Russia, like school records etc. to show that she has spent all her life outside the United States."

 

 

They may just be looking for documentation to corroborate your story.  I would try to bring it but I wouldn't worry about the intent behind it.  

 

I wish you and your daughter good luck on getting her a passport at the Estonia Embassy.  I am still trying to work on things with my ex but due to the limited travel options for Russians right now we will likely be doing ours in Turkey. 

[Gawain 23]

Thanks.  I will bring what I have, plus two "Buddy O' Mine" affidavits swearing to the fact that she has never been in the United States.  Maybe I will even make one for myself.