I-130 needed for wife and child?! What about I-864?

[ZRomper 42]

Greetings dear VJ members,

 

I'm a US citizen and currently residing in Belarus (E. Europe) with my wife and 2 kids. One of my kids (our common son) has a CRBA and a US passport so I obviously don't need to file an I-130 for him (I suppose). My other child is my step-daughter from my wife's 1st marriage. Both kids are under 18.

However, I've found conflicting information about how many I-130 forms I need to file. I saw information that if I was a green card holder, I would be able to file just one I-130 form for my wife and specify my step-daughter on that form as well. However, since I'm a citizen, I need to file an I-130 form for my wife and my step-daughter. This would entail that I need two I-864 forms as well, but then I'm confused as to what would happen to my total household number in section 5 of those forms. I would count as +1 (part 5 point 2 gets auto-filled) on both forms and that would result in 4 household members and then I would have to put my son as a dependent child on my wife's I-864 form, resulting in 5 household members when  in fact I only have 4...

 

I would greatly appreciate someone clarifying this.

 

Thank you!

[aaron2020 11,651]

As a US citizen, you need to file an I-130 for your wife and another I-130 for your stepchild.

At the NVC stage, you will file a single I-864 for your wife.  The cases for your wife and stepchild will be linked and they can have their visa interviews together.  Your household count will be 4; you, your wife, your stepchild, and your other child.  

[ZRomper 42]

25 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

As a US citizen, you need to file an I-130 for your wife and another I-130 for your stepchild.

At the NVC stage, you will file a single I-864 for your wife.  The cases for your wife and stepchild will be linked and they can have their visa interviews together.  Your household count will be 4; you, your wife, your stepchild, and your other child.  

Thanks so much for your answer @aaron2020

 

Another question concerning I-130. Can I do the translations of non-English documents myself and add a certification clause at the bottom of the PDF document with my signature? I think I read that this is allowed.

Also, lets say once my wife and stepchild has the visa and are approved to travel to the US. How long are they given to do that? I've heard ranges from 30 days to 6 months.

 

Thanks!

[aaron2020 11,651]

3 minutes ago, ZRomper said:

Thanks so much for your answer @aaron2020

 

Another question concerning I-130. Can I do the translations of non-English documents myself and add a certification clause at the bottom of the PDF document with my signature? I think I read that this is allowed.

Also, lets say once my wife and stepchild has the visa and are approved to travel to the US. How long are they given to do that? I've heard ranges from 30 days to 6 months.

 

Thanks!

You can do the translation yourself.  You must include the certification block; https://www.state.gov/family-liaison-office/naturalization-of-foreign-born-spouses/expeditious-naturalization-application-materials-and-information/

 

Immigration visas are normally good for 6 months from the date of the medical exam or the interview whichever happens first.  

[ZRomper 42]

Thanks so much for the info! That really helps! 👍