Reds89z

We went to the embassy.  I was questioned if I supported her.  Thank GOD that 15 years ago I wrote to Western Union and asked for a copy of all transactions that I sent to XXXXXXX.  Although it was a copy of the letter, I had it and I showed them the copy.  I was asked if I have a relationship with my daughter.  I introduced her in Russian and the clerk said, "...you speak Russian..." (as if she was amazed at this).  I replied, "a little."
 
I had 2 piles of evidence one for me and one for my daughter.  I brought documents from 20 and 25 years ago to prove that I've been a United States citizen for 5 years.  All they cared to look at was the old passports (I'm glad I saved them).  At one point in the conversation I even asked if they wanted to see more and she said, "I'm not concerned about you - I've got all your old passports right here..."
 
We had a certified copy of my daughters birth certificate and the copy was made in 2019.  My daughter also managed to find another one that was made in 2011.  Both had my name listed on them as father.  They seemed still concerned though - that these were copies (but they were certified and had the official stamp).  I'm not sure why all the fuss.  They questioned me about it and I was able to produce the ORIGINAL birth certificate that showed my name.  Any remaining doubts seemed to instantly evaporate.
 
The consular officer had some kind of prepared statement...something to the effect of, "Since your father was a United States citizen you were a United States citizen AT BIRTH."  I almost lost it and broke down at that point.  The culmination of my efforts, which collectively took more preparation, time, and planning than "Ocean's 11" and "Ocean's 13" combined...had suddenly come to fruition.
 
On the application, we ordered the passport and passport card and I was informed that it takes longer for the card.  So I'm going to have to come back to the embassy to pick them up when they are ready.  They are letting me come back by myself to pick it up and she doesn't have to be there.
 
I think this forum has been quite invaluable.  I didn't know about it all those years ago - I kind of stumbled upon it.  If I had to think up some of most important tips that helped me it was this:
 
1. Ask a lot of questions on VISAJOURNEY.  Some of the replies will come from people that have no idea, but just weed through the responses and look for the people that have been here for some time and are following the post.  It's easy to tell who was following the post.
 
2.  A visa is not necessary for someone who had a claim to citizenship AT BIRTH.  A United States passport is faster, and easier.  It can be obtained for someone who is over 18.  It can be obtained for a child who at the time of birth, the parents were divorced (like me).  It's important that the parents were married.
 
3.  ! BRING EVERYTHING !  I'm sure that not all consular officers were created alike.  They will each have their own style and their own line of questioning.  Take time to think about what you are bringing, and if you are leaving anything out.  Take quiet time to do absolutely nothing, with no distractions, and meditate on what papers you are bringing and if you can somehow improve the evidence in any way.  You never know what they may ask for.
 
4.  Don't give up.  This took me 18 years.  I had a bitter ex-wife that who threw just about every roadblock in the way that could be thrown in the way.  Don't give up.  Do whatever you can do for your child.  Start whatever process you can start.  LOOK for alternatives, and back up plans, and back up plans for the back up plans.  TIME is actually your friend if you find yourself in the same boat as me.  In an ironic twist of fate - I was given the original, certified birth certificate by a Russian court, because of due process there.  My bitter ex tried to do something to me in Russian court.  As a matter of procedure and process, the Russian court had to supply me with a bunch of documents.  It was THIS document (the original birth certificate) that sealed the deal.  Her bitterness - in the end - produced the very document for me that allowed my daughter to be a United States citizen.
 
Love to all,
T H A N K Y O U
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Well, in about 2 weeks, God willing, I will be with my daughter at a US embassy - submitting for her first United States passport application.  This has been a long, hard ride.  I trust it will go smoothly from here on out.  I feel pretty good about the embassy and they have been communicating with me.  I'm bringing everything, plus the kitchen sink.
 
 
 

@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.  

All points you listed were made very clear to me after the interview.  Yes, it was a mistake and waste of time and money.  I'm sure a lot of contributors here have gone through many trials and tribulations regarding immigration, and maybe a mistake or two that set them back temporarily.  I should have found this forum before filing it and got schooled then, but I'm here now, smarter than I was before and ready to get this done.  

Thank you and I appreciate yours and everyone's help today.   

All points you listed were made very clear to me after the interview.  Yes, it was a mistake and waste of time and money.  I'm sure a lot of contributors here have gone through many trials and tribulations regarding immigration, and maybe a mistake or two that set them back temporarily.  I should have found this forum before filing it and got schooled then, but I'm here now, smarter than I was before and ready to get this done.  

As @aaron2020 mentioned several times, you need to pursue CRBA.  It is form DS-2029.  And form DS-11 for the passport application for your child.  I believe you also need to complete form DS-3053 as well to get her a US Passport without you being there.  Good news is that Moscow embassy has resumed US citizen services, and CRBA as well.
 
https://ru.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/child-family-matters/birth/
 
 
 
Now, here comes the tricky part.  You said your Ex does not want your daughter to immigrate without her.   You will need her (ex-wife) cooperation to get the US passport for your child.  Hopefully she will agree.  
 
If your ex does not agree, then your child can actually apply by herself at age 16.  I hope someone here from Russia can confirm.  The information on how to do so is here:
 
https://ru.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/first-time-passport-applicant-16/
 
Note, the section title says "Over age 16", but it applies to 16 year olds.  
 
 

Thanks for the information.  I looked at the CRBA but it seems like it would be used if I (the father) was living abroad at the time of birth, which I was not.  But definitely an avenue to explore to get this done.   
 
The reason I filed the I-130 is because I was told to by the local USCIS office.  Thinking she was a US citizen by birth, I filed an N-600 for her and they denied us at the interview.  They told me that since she is living abroad, we need to file the I-130 and can concurrently file the I-485.  Information about filing the I-485 concurrently is mentioned in the instructions on page 20.
 

My daughter is living with her mom in Russia.  That's what I was seeing per the instructions on each form.  I guess the only way they could enter the US is by a DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application?

Lucky Cat,
 
The I-485 is filed concurrently for my daughter's I-130 as a visa is always available for immediate relatives of a US citizen.

Lucky Cat,
 
The I-485 is filed concurrently for my daughter's I-130 as a visa is always available for immediate relatives of a US citizen.

Thank you and I appreciate yours and everyone's help today.   

So right.

So many of us have had to endure family separation.  Sharing our knowledge to prevent another family from having to experience unnecessary separation and quickly reunite them is why I post on VJ.  

I can so relate to the regret of not finding this forum sooner.  And even after I joined VJ, I regret not acting fast enough on what I learned here.  I've made mistakes with our visa process that cost my family many months of separation that continues even now.  I hope that by sharing lessons learned here, I can spare other readers from the same pain even a little.
 
Good luck on this new chapter of your family's US story.
 

Thanks for the information.  I looked at the CRBA but it seems like it would be used if I (the father) was living abroad at the time of birth, which I was not.  But definitely an avenue to explore to get this done.   
 
The reason I filed the I-130 is because I was told to by the local USCIS office.  Thinking she was a US citizen by birth, I filed an N-600 for her and they denied us at the interview.  They told me that since she is living abroad, we need to file the I-130 and can concurrently file the I-485.  Information about filing the I-485 concurrently is mentioned in the instructions on page 20.
 

My daughter is living with her mom in Russia.  That's what I was seeing per the instructions on each form.  I guess the only way they could enter the US is by a DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application?

Lucky Cat,
 
The I-485 is filed concurrently for my daughter's I-130 as a visa is always available for immediate relatives of a US citizen.