Mike n Huong

Thank you so much for all the information. It is of great help to fully understand the process and know what we will be facing. I really think that there should be a secific forum for stepkids and children. It is very difficult to find much information on this and not too many people have much experience on this subject.

If anyone else has any information it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,

Mike

Hello,

I as well am petitioning for my stepdaughters. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be an abudnace of information about petitioning kids. But those who are able to offer suggestions and support have been great.

We have gotten through the USCIS and NVC process, and greatfully without any RFE's.

They have their interview set for December 13.

I believe what you have ready is correct. Honestly, I believe I sent copies, not originals, but double check the USCIS website for the instructions.

After you submit the paperwork (I always sent it overnight, and had someone sign for it- then you are able to track it, and have proof it was received), you will get a letter (NOA- Notice Of Action), letting you know they have received your application. This letter will also have a receipt number.

You can go on the USCIS website, and enter your case number and track the progress- which many times in nothing! You can also sign up to receive email updates from them when something has been done on it.

After your application has been approved, it is then sent to the NVC, and applications, finacial support evidence, originals, passport size photos to name a few will need to be submitted.

Again, you can check either on this website, or the NVC website to give you an idea of what will be needed.

The one thing I didn't find anywhere, but someone was kind enough to let me know is you will need a letter from the other parent giving permission for the child to immigrate to the U.S. This won't be needed until you send in the paperwork for the NVC. Also, for the NVC paperwork, since the girls are minors, my husband (LPR) signed all of the paperwork. That saved time not having to send the paperwork overseas for a signature, and then having it sent back.

After the application with NVC is approved, you will receive information about your interivew (date, time) and will need to have a medical done. They will also send you a checklist stating anything else the embassy may require (I'm assuming this may be embassy specific).

Keep researching these forums. They are full of good advice. Look at the "flow charts" it will show you the paths the petitions/applications take.

I wish you luck on your journey. It can be long and frustrating many times, but when good news comes your way, it's great.

Don't be afraid to ask questions here, the folks on here are great, with an abundace of experience, knowledge and support.

I have been researching the process of bringing my Step-Son to live with his mother and I and I hope I can get some guidance from those who have gone trhu the process.

I will be submitting:

Cover Letter

I-130 Apllication

Fee for I-130

Copy of my Birth Certificate (photo copy?)

Copy of Step-Son's Birth Certificate w/ copy of translation (is photo copies ok or originals?)

Copy of our Marriage Certificate (photo copy?)

Copy of Quit Claim w/ translation (photo copies?)

Copy of my previous marriage Divorce Decree (photo copy?)

Copy of my wife's previous marriage Divorce Decree w/ translation (photo copies ok?)

Is this all that is needed to be submitted?

What happens after we submit?

Do we need to gather any other evidence or fill out any other forms before his interview?

If someone could please explain the process (paperwork/interview) it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

I have been researching the process of bringing my Step-Son to live with his mother and I and I hope I can get some guidance from those who have gone trhu the process.

I will be submitting:

Cover Letter

I-130 Apllication

Fee for I-130

Copy of my Birth Certificate (photo copy?)

Copy of Step-Son's Birth Certificate w/ copy of translation (is photo copies ok or originals?)

Copy of our Marriage Certificate (photo copy?)

Copy of Quit Claim w/ translation (photo copies?)

Copy of my previous marriage Divorce Decree (photo copy?)

Copy of my wife's previous marriage Divorce Decree w/ translation (photo copies ok?)

Is this all that is needed to be submitted?

What happens after we submit?

Do we need to gather any other evidence or fill out any other forms before his interview?

If someone could please explain the process it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

I think this is a very good decision.

This is great news!!!!

We are very happy to hear that she has made a full recovery.

Some great news.. They just released her from the hospital... I will be able to see her online in the morning for the first time in a week... Thanks again everyone...

Thanks for the info.

I am filing the I-130.

If you read the I-130 instructions in regards to the section titled "What documents do you need to prove family relaionship" #8 Stepparent/stepchild: It states If your petition is based on a stepparent-stepchild relationship, you must file your petition with a copy of the marriage certificate of the stepparent to the child's natural parent showing the marriage occured before the childs 18th birthday, copies of documents showing that any prior marriages were legally terminated and a copy of the stepchild's birth certificate.

I think the connection is her sons birth certificate shows he and her ex as parents. The divorce paper shows that those two have legally divorced. Our marriage certificate shows we are married and now I can bring her son here as my step-son.

I will be filing for my step-son to come live with his mother and I. If you recall I posted the translated quit claim paper on this forum not to long ago. Supposedly he has agreed to redo the paper to state for her son to come to the United States with his mother and to live in the United States with his mother. We are keeping the fingers crossed.

I have begun gathering the required documents which include:

Copy of my US Passport or Birth Certificate The instructions on the HCM consulate website specifically ask for birth certificate, original and photocopy.

Copy of our Marriage Certificate

Copy of her Sons Birth Certificate w/ translation

Copy of Divorce Decree (my previous marriage)

Copy of my Wife's Divorce Decree w/ translation

Copy of Quit Claim w/ translation

Shall I submit the original translation or just a copy???

Thanks,

Mike

Usually, you submit original AND a photocopy. They'll usually return the original and keep the photocopy. If you submit only originals then they'll keep them. If you submit only copies then they might issue a blue slip for the original.

Are the divorce decrees really necessary? Aren't you filing for an IR2 based on your current marriage? The consulate instructions for immediate relative visas says to submit divorce decrees for previous spouse(s) if applicable, but I would think they would only be applicable if you're filing an IR1 for your current spouse. I don't see how they would be relevant to an IR2. I'm just going by the instructions on the consulate website...

I will be filing for my step-son to come live with his mother and I. If you recall I posted the translated quit claim paper on this forum not to long ago. Supposedly he has agreed to redo the paper to state for her son to come to the United States with his mother and to live in the United States with his mother. We are keeping the fingers crossed.

I have begun gathering the required documents which include:

Copy of my US Passport or Birth Certificate

Copy of our Marriage Certificate

Copy of her Sons Birth Certificate w/ translation

Copy of Divorce Decree (my previous marriage)

Copy of my Wife's Divorce Decree w/ translation

Copy of Quit Claim w/ translation

Shall I submit the original translation or just a copy???

Thanks,

Mike

Congrats!!!

Now your journey togethr begins.

I totally agree with you both.

My wife is from Vietnam. It is an expensive flight and a very long flight. Once in her country she will then need to buy plane tickets for her and her son to fly to the opposite side of the country to be interviewed. This is going to cost us at least $3,000 or more. It is her son so why does he need to be interviewed?

Does anyone know if she would need her ex to sign a paper like this for her to bring her son here on vacation and then he must return?

I am just wondering, because if it is not needed then this might be sufficient. If it is needed then I question his intentions.

This is exactly why I am questioning the wording of this paper. I don't want to file if we are going to have problems with that paper. Tell me what normal human being wouldn't want their child to come live in the US where he can get a better education, let alone the fact that he has very little to do with her son. He has repeatedly told her son, I will let you go with your mom after this or after that, and when it comes time he doesn't do it. Finally he did sign the paper, but was he just trying to play games again???

I am sorry that I have no advice on how to get him to sign it. It just depends on how much of a you know what he wants to be. Good Luck to you!!!

Thanks for the good idea, just didn't know if anyone from our group had to go thru this.

Mike, post this is the regional forum to get more input from Vietnamese users. You know how specific HCMC can be.

Hello my VJ family,

My wife's ex has finally signed a quit claim for her son so he can come to the US to live with his mother and I. I will be petitioning for my step-son. I have attached the paper that he signed with all personal info crossed out. Does anyone know if his statement saying "he ageed to allow his son to go abroad together with his mother" will be accepted. We are extremely excited that he is finally allowing him to come live with us but want to make sure his statement is accpetable for her son to move here.

Thanks,

Mike

Quit_Claim.pdf

Hello my VJ family,

My wife's ex has finally signed a quit claim for her son so he can come to the US to live with his mother and I. I will be petitioning for my step-son. I have attached the paper that he signed with all personal info crossed out. Does anyone know if his statement saying "he ageed to allow his son to go abroad together with his mother" will be accepted. We are extremely excited that he is finally allowing him to come live with us but want to make sure his statement is accpetable for her son to move here.

Thanks,

Mike

Quit_Claim.pdf

Are prayers ar with you both. We hope Thuy will be better soon.

Put us on the list also for the month of February

First Tet in Vietnam for me!!!!

Thanks everyone. I thought that would be the fastest route, but just wanted to make sure.

Her son is 9 years old.

Hello to my fellow VJ family.

I hope that you guys and gals and guide me in the correct direction with our situation. Your help is always very well appreciated.

My wife came to the US on a Fiancee Visa that I petitioned for. It was approved and she flew home with me in 2006. Unfortunately at the time my wife's ex husband refused to sign the Quit claim for her son to come live with us. He has finally realized that it is the best for her son to come here with us and live. So he has signed the quit claim saying that his som is allowed to moved to any country with his mother. THis has been a very huge obstacle for us as it has been very difficult for my wife to live without her son.

So again my wife got her Visa in 2006 and moved here immediately with me.

She is currently on her 10 year green card.

She will be elegible for the Citizenship test in the spring of 2010.

So my question is, shall I file an I-130 petition as my step son, since he is no longer qualified for the follow to join?

Or shall we wait until my wife gets her Citizenship this upcoming summer?

Which choice will get her son here faster?

If I am to file the I-130 for my step son, could someone please provide my with information as to what needs to be submitted?

Thank you,

Mike

Hello my VJ family,

Does an American Citizen need to obtain a Visa to enter Vietnam if he is married to a Vietnmese Citizen? The marriage took place in the United States.

Thanks,

Mike

Hello my VJ family. I hope today greets you with good news.

My wife, who is a Vietnamese Citizen, and I are purchasing are tickets to return to Vietnam for the upcoming Tet. She is not a U.S. citizen yet, and is a Permanent Resident. I know we should book her plane ticket using her passport name (Vietnamese), which is as you all know is in a different order than American names. For the plane ticket should we have her name exactly how it is on her passport (Last name and then First name) or the American way (First name and then Last)?

Thanks,

Mike

My only comment is this.

You need to put yourself in her shoes and then you will know how you should treat the woman you love.

You will also need to understand that she may act and react more dramatically due to her completely new life.

That is really great news!!!

I think most of us would cherish such a great opportunity. I know I definately would. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!

Wow,

Great news today! Just found out that a group of Professors that were in limbo (former Univ had serious issues)...including me, have been acquired by another university to deliver our graduate MBA and MIS program in VN! And it includes a big raise!

He he he.. I get to go back to VN more often and get paid to do it...

I checked into Rosetta Stone also, and thought it was expensive. When I mentioned how much it was, we both felt it was too much when my wife can teach me for free. There are a few reasons I want to learn the language. First it would bring me and my wife closer, it would allow me to be closer to my in laws, and I am very involved in the Vietnamese community in our area.

I am glad that I am not the only one wanting to learn the language.

I am very interested in knowing how many of you have made a full effort in learning your SO's language? I am not just talking about how to say hello and goodbye, I am talking about being able to have a full conversation in your SO's language.

It has been something that I really want to do, and have bought a translation book and CD, but neither have been much help. My wife and I both work full time jobs and we haven't given this enough attention. We are setting aside time for her to teach me.

Has anyone had success in learing and if so what were your sources that taught you, if you don't mind sharing?

Thanks,

Mike