Nathan&Emily

No, usually they are two separate documents.

I adopted my stepson in Texas, and received a certified court order showing I adopted him, that also serves as proof of a legal name change. I also applied to have his birth certificate re-issued with my name now documented as his father, and received this a couple of weeks later.

If it happened in the UK though, maybe it works differently there, but I find it difficult to believe that an adoption order "becomes" a birth certificate.

I was under the impression the adoption cert replaces the birth certificate. its like being issued a new one with the new parents names on. The info I've found on the website last night says it replaces your birth certificate "for all official and administrative purposes" so I'm thinking that its all I need. Makes sense as adopted children may not know who their birth parents are to even apply for the original.

Quick question. When I was 11 my stepdad adopted me along with my mum. I have my adoption certificate showing both parents names and the dates and all my details and I was always told this replaced my birth certificate. I have no idea who my real "dad" was so am unable to even apply for my original birth certificate. Is the adoption certificate actually all I need and a replacement for my birth certificate as I believe?

Thanks

Welcome and get ready for the paperwork ride.

Haha yeah I get that impression!! So far its been straight forward but I'm expecting it to get harder

Hi Nathan!

I just got back from the UK from visiting my fiance! I wish you all the luck in the process. We are just now starting the petition. Good luck!

Thanks! And the same to you Hope you had as much fun in the UK as I did in California

Hi,

Welcome and good luck on your journey! Sounds like you have everything under control.

Just a quick update about your timeline, so that we can keep the VJ estimates correct: You got a WAC number, right? If so, your case was not transferred to the CSC, but sent directly from Texas lockbox. The lockbox is not the same as the service center (yes, confusing), and the Texas service center do not handle K1 petitions anymore. Please correct when you get a chance :-)

Done

Hello Nathan. It sounds like you have it well under control. An employer letter stating her expected yearly salary will suffice. They don't even require a tax return in London with an I-134 so a $16k one is of no benefit to you. Get the employer letter and maybe some pay stubs as backup. If you have your own savings, investments or a house you are selling, they will consider that as well.

Thanks Nick. I had a feeling from what I'd read that an employer letter and paystubbs would suffice in London. Unfortunately I don't have any assets myself and all my sales of furniture, car etc have been used to pay down credit card debt so I'm not bringing that with me. I have approx £40,000 available to me on credit limits if they accept that though lol

Good to know that we're on track and making progress. Just hope it comes through before the end of July. As I work in a school I can hand my notice in in JUly for Sept 1st and be paid up til then but be on holiday from July 31st. If the visa goes past that point I have to sit at home all August and then work again in September until months notice is up Argh!!

Hi Nathan,

Best of luck....I am bringing my fiancée God willing from Santo Domingo DR....I wish my fiancee could visit that would make this way easier....

Best of luck again?

Good luck to you as well Ana

Hi

Just registered here as we're going through all the process for a K1 now. Found some invaluable advice and information already so thanks for that My fiancee lives in California with her teenage daughter and I'm planning on moving there from the UK with my teenage son as soon as we get the visa. We're currently part way through the process. Filed January 20th and had the NOA2 on April 7th. Right now we're just waiting for the NVC paperwork to start coming through and then we can begin getting those forms in and wait for interviews etc. Hoping to move over when my contract at work finishes on July 31st if its all sorted by then. (Fingers crossed)

Right now the main concern we have is the AOS paperwork as last year her taxes filed were only $16,000 as she was still in nursing school and graduated December. This year she's already over half way to making that amount and its only April so she should more than have enough. Employer is willing to write a letter confirming earnings and that she was in school last year while working which is why its lower so fingers crossed they accept that.

At my end I'm getting all my photos, police certificates etc ready for me and my son and ensuring that our vaccinations are all up to date (and for the dog) ready for when the NVC paperwork comes through and I can submit the DS-160.

Anything else anyone would recommend we should be doing or could do to ensure speedy processing and is 15 weeks a reasonable time frame to expect completion of the rest of the process? JUst looking forward to being together again although we've not spent more than 3 months apart so far the last 9 months so its not too bad.

Oh and I visited while the K-1 was in process in March for 3 weeks. Landed in LAX and asked purpose of visit. Said I was visiting my fiancee. The CBP guard smiled and said have a good time. Was through passports and baggage claim at LAX in under 20 minutes from jetway to kerbside lol. So fast my fiancee was still 20 minutes away from being there to pick me up

All the best

Nathan