biggish data

QUOTE (Lindsey8181 @ Dec 23 2009, 09:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Try this link to the USCIS filing fee info page: http://www.uscis.gov...000b92ca60aRCRD

I filed for our K-1/129F in Nov 09 and the fee was $455. Hope this helps.

Thanks...and the fee is $455 as you stated. I had not gone to the USCIS website for this information, I was looking for it as a part of the downloadable forms and instructions given on VisaJourney. I really appreciate your assistance.
Regards,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2009-12-23 22:43:00

QUOTE (Lindsey8181 @ Dec 23 2009, 09:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Try this link to the USCIS filing fee info page: http://www.uscis.gov...000b92ca60aRCRD

I filed for our K-1/129F in Nov 09 and the fee was $455. Hope this helps.

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2009-12-23 22:40:00

QUOTE (Dakine @ Dec 23 2009, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

http://www.visajourn...mp;page=k1guide

Also check the I-129F instructions

Ummm....thanks for your response and information but I think I've already been to this link that you sent to me. All I could find is the following:
1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check so you can track the payment. Money Orders are also accepted.

My question is....What is the fee that I need to send in the form of a check to the USCIS with my paperwork??? I do not need the address of the CSC ... I was able to find that piece of information.

Thanks for your response.
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2009-12-23 21:34:00

Hello to everyone...I have a couple of questions.
I have 95% of my paperwork ready to send to the USCIS and wanted to get it mailed by the end of December. I am an Ohio resident petitioning for a K-1 Visa for my fiance' from Costa Rica. 1) What is the fee and where do I send it? California Service Center? Where do I find this information? 2) How do I get "signed onto" the Costa Rican forum...if such a forum exists? Is this something that has to be done by the moderator?
Thanks,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2009-12-23 20:48:00

After K1 interview, average time till able to move to US>

Technically speaking, as soon as you have the VISA in her Passport you can go to the airport and buy a ticket to come to the USA. Whether this happens or not is completely up to you and Velvet. Also, FYI a one-way ticket is not half the price of a round trip ticket. Sometimes it is MORE than the cost of a round trip ticket. Additionally, on international travel it is sometimes necessary to purchase a round trip ticket to show "intention to return" to whatever country. Quick question....IF you are flying up there to get her are you driving back into the USA (Reno) in her car? If so, she will need current licensing/insurance information and a clear title if she intends to keep this car in the USA plus possibly have some additional inspections made to be sure it complies with US Emission Standards and such.
Best Wishes,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-15 19:30:00

Question about the G-325A Form.

My suggestion to you is to get online and order a Free Credit Report. The credit bureaus have this information on you. Additionally, it would give you an opportunity to look at your credit history and clean up any blemishes and cancel any credit cards that you are not using.
Good Luck,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-15 20:23:00

K1 after 90 no marriage

The K-1 Visa is good for only 90 days. You have only two options: 1) Marry within that time period or 2) Don't marry and he must return to his country. Since he is from Sweden and he can come to the USA without a visitors visa, he can come anytime. BUT, don't think you can get married on one of these visits and proceed from that point forward. It does not work that way. (You'd have to go through the complete petitioning process another time.) IF you do marry on a visit...you will be creating a whole host of other problems. So...the choice is between you and your fiance' about what to do.
In reading the other posts about your situation, I agree with the person who said to look for the immigration patterns of other people from Sweden. In the USA, there is something for everyone. IF he cannot find another town similar to where he lives in Sweden...he has not looked very far. Try Wisconsin for example...I think a lot of Swedes have immigrated there!! Ya Lars!!!!
Best Wishes and Good Luck,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-15 19:56:00

K-1 Visa Vs. Visitation/Sponsored Visa

Hi Rose Mary,
You cannot petition for a K-1 Visa for any reason. This must be done by the U.S. Citizen. Secondly, he cannot apply for the K-1 Visa without showing evidence of meeting you within the past two years.
Your ONLY option is called a "Visitor's Visa" and that will be extremely difficult for you UNLESS you have strong ties to the Philippines such as property owned in your name, a bank account with a substantial sum of money, a job where you are presently employed and earning money and a letter from your employer stating that you have "vacation time" for a time period of two-weeks, one month or whatever. You will need to buy a round-trip ticket on the airlines...fairly costly from the Philippines. The intent to return to the Philippines must be evident and proven before you could get this visa. The liklihood of you getting this visa is extremely small.
Good Luck,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-15 20:38:00

K1-Divorce_K1

First thing that comes to mind is "troll?" (But, assuming not I will give you an answer/opinion.) Do I have this correct...you came to the USA courtesy of "guy #1" on a K-1 Visa and then married someone else? Sorry...the K-1 is ONLY to marry the person who petitioned for you. You were with him in Florida for one week before going to Illinois to be with your "friend/guy #2" whom you married? Now, that marriage is not working out so you want to be with the guy you "really, really want" and live happily ever after with guy #3??? Seems like you have "changed horses" quite a few times recently. You have a HUGE mess on your hands and you'll need a lot of time and money to fix things.
There is only one highly informed and intelligent gentleman who can give you the best answers to this question: His name is "PUSHBRK" and I'm sure he will be reading your question. Whatever he says, you can be 99.998% sure that it is absolutely correct. He has probably forgotten more than I could ever tell you about your situation. For sure, you will need to get a divorce from guy #2 before doing anything else. You are NOT single...you are married. Whew....what a mess.
Good Luck

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-20 13:05:00

urgent help

I totally agree with everything that has been stated here, and changing to another embassy won't help your case, we are in the 20th century, everything is documented via computer. The next embassy will know what was asked of you from the first interview. You can not run away from this problem, it will have to be resolved. It looks as if the father isn't going to give permission, so you will have to deal with this in the best intrest of the child.

Actually, we are in the 21st Century!!! LOLOL :innocent:

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-20 13:36:00

urgent help

Trying to think a little outside the box, but...

She has been told to try and get her daughter's US CRBA, and that if this is denied, she has to go with a K-2 for her. Therefore, if the USC's proof of citizenship is required in order to successfully obtain a CRBA, and he's not willing to provide this then submitting a CRBA without would cause it to be denied. She could then prove that had tried, has a denial and K-2 it is?

She is already out of the country of birth and residence of the USC parent. She took the child from The Philippines to Thailand. What could the Philippine or Thai courts do in terms of effectively 'emancipating' this child from it's USC parent, especially considering he hasn't objected to her taking the baby abroad for residence before?

For clarity sake, please note that I'm asking for ideas, not suggesting known options.

All the judgment of 'leaving baby behind' being a heinous crime - it seems you've maybe misread the OP's intentions. She was asking if in doing this, or effectively by creating a K-2 to follow situation, there would be a work-around on their current situation. Whilst I couldn't personally leave my daughter behind, even as a to-follow, we're talking about a very different set of cultural rules and expectations here. Anywhere that has a thriving 'takes a village to raise a child' society wouldn't consider this unusual. There are 1000s of children in the Philippines whose parents are working and living abroad, with grandparents or aunties raising them.

How do we know that he has not objected to taking the child abroad for residence before?? I didn't get the impression that the USC acknowledged the birth of this child by signing/acknowledging paternity on the birth certificate. Obviously, this child has a Passport...but, from which country? (Obviously not the USA...I'm guessing the Philippines.) Additionally, I am not sure that I agree completely with your last statement about "1000s of children." The parents living/working abroad would be here on a different type of Visa...Work visa. The K1.K2.K3.K4 is a Family Based Immigration process and the USCIS takes a dim view of parents from certain countries leaving a child behind. Finally, IF a fiance' wished to leave her child behind in order to come, it would make me begin to question the motivation behind such a move. I'm pretty sure that the Philippines are categorized as having "high-fraud" rates. This person wants to come for marriage reasons...no mention was made about working.

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-20 13:33:00

urgent help

Hello,
They specifically told you what they needed and in no uncertain terms. So, the short answer to your question is...YES, you must do and get exactly what has been requested of you. There is no other way around this situation.
Seems like a mess has been made here. IF the father of your daughter is an USC, then your daughter is a USC by birth. But, am I understanding you correctly that someone else signed her birth certificate as "father?" You are no longer involved with this man (the "real" father...is that correct? However IF he is an USC, maybe he has reasons that he does not want you/daugher to come to the USA to live. (Child support issues, etc.)
Also, I'm confused "why?" you would consider leaving a child behind in the Philippines. You have a messy situation here....
Best Wishes,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-20 12:35:00

I-134 Public Charge Info

Hello everyone.

My husband and I have already gone through this entire process and now his sister is starting it as well (coming from the UK to marry her American fiance). She's at the state where she's getting forms and medicals before her interview in London and she asked us to fill an I-134 Affidavit of Support out for her. Now I know the form is basically a contract that if she becomes a public charge that the government can sue us for the cost given to her for assistance. My question is, what if her fiance is already a public charge? I'm not certain that he is yet but I want to know what happens? Does she automatically become one as well when they get married? Does the public assistance just stay on him? I'm leery of sending this form to her before I know their entire situation and what it means for us.

Thank you for any help and information you can give!

IF the petitioner is already a public charge, there is really little point in filing anything or getting anything started because it is highly unlikely (read impossible) that the US Gov't would approve this visa petition. Why? The US Government would already be providing assistance to the USC...why would they want to approve a visa for the fiancee' and have TWO people on public assistance. Basically, by signing the form you are guaranteeing that YOU will take her place and allow the US Government to sue YOU instead. You are correct to be VERY AFRAID to send this form to her. Good Luck

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-22 22:08:00

whats next after NOA2

There is no way to tell when you will receive your NOA-2...every case is different. The time period for me was 71 days from NOA-1 to NOA-2. Others are 90-100 days...others, a lot longer.

Basically, the NOA-2 asks NOTHING of you. It is simply a notification that your file has been sent to the NVC for processing. Usually, your file is at the NVC for a period of several weeks until it is forwarded to the Embassy where your fiance'/wife will have the interview. Then, that Embassy will send out "Packet 3" which are instructions to your fiance'/wife on how to proceed with everything in their country.

Best Wishes,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-25 20:52:00

K1 Visa document question

SUGGESTION: Why not make a "two-sided" copy...the backside will be blank AUTOMATICALLY!!!!!!! LOLOL :innocent:

PS You are NOT "applying" for anything...you are "PETITIONING"

Edited by FrancElsie, 25 March 2010 - 10:03 PM.

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-25 22:02:00

Can K1 Visa be moved to K3

Hello guys,
I was reading the forums all round but didnt find any answer for my question i think. Or maybe i missed some threads.

I met my fiancee last year in SEP 2009. I wasn't a citizen at that time. I became a citizen in FEB 2010. I filed the 129F-K1 today as of March 22nd 2010. My parents are planning to get us married by JUNE/JULY 2010. So question comes out is that. If we get married in INDIA. will that affect our process? Can the K1 moved to K3 and taking as same priority date? I'm expecting to receive NOA2 by that time. So the case will be in INDIAN EMBASSY. So how can that be done? And resolution? Or should i be on K1 n get her to US? or apply for I130 being in India. Ill be in India for about 45days during the wedding time.

The two points which are priority:

Dont want to get the process delayed.
Parents want us to get married by JUNE/JULY.

Any help will be nice.

Thanks
Chirag

Hello...
First: How do you know for sure that the petition for your fiancee' will be approved?????
Second: You just filed your petition a few days ago...have you checked the processing times? It seems to me that your parents JUNE/JULY dates are a bit overly optimistic considering that there are no guarantees in this process.
Third: As posted by another responder...K-1 and K-3's are similar but separate paths. You cannot sidetrack from one to the other. IF you want to go the K-3 (wife) route, you will need to begin the process again AFTER she is your wife, pay another fee and wait out the time that it takes from beginning to end. In my humble opinion, making wedding plans that are controlled by your parents is not beneficial to you and your fiancee. Whose wedding is it?
Best Wishes,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-25 23:23:00

Petitioner's Birth Certificate

Hi to all, I just wanna ask for a bit of info. I am the Petitioner on this process, I understand that I need to send in my Birth Certicate together along with my Naturalization Certificate. I was born in the Philippines, I do have my original Birth certificate..but its a bit old and torned...would I need to obtain a new copy from the NSO, or the one I have should be enough not to get us some RFE.

Thanks all for any info you can share with me..to lessen my confusion!

My suggestion is: Make a copy of your old and "torned" birth certificate and see if any important information is obscured by the "torned" part/s. If not...send this copy to the USCIS. However, during the time that your petition is being processed, get a new one and have it ready in case you get a RFE. This will avoid any delays in processing.
Good Luck, :thumbs:

Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-25 20:59:00

Aproximate time for Fiance Visa

My girlfriend who is an american citizen left to the US 5 months ago, she lived in Colombia (where we met) for 10 years. She proposed to me, and wants me to apply for the K-1,, Still I wanna know how much time does it take from the moment she submits the request in the US until it is aproved here in Colombia, in other words how much time does the whole process last until Im finally in the US with her?,, Also she wants her parents, who are Colombian, to be with her in the US, can she apply for me anda her parents at the same time?

YOU cannot "apply" for a K-1 VISA. ONLY the USC can "petition" for a K-1 for their fiance(e). There is NO GUARANTEE that any petition will be approved...it is a long process that we all are going through it at this time. I'm curious...how is it that your GF is an American Citizen with Colombian parents? How did she get her citizenship? I was married with a Colombian woman and our K-3 process took 7 months from start to finish. But, I cancelled things about two-weeks prior to her interview when I discovered that she was involved with another man in Colombia. Quite a heartbreak!! NOTE: IF her parents are Colombian, it could take YEARS for them to get a VISA to live in the USA...10-20 years in many cases.
Good Luck
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-25 21:58:00

divorce copy translation

In general, all documents in a foreign language must be translated into English by a competent translator. I have known people to "self-certify" a document and translate it themselves. If you speak/read/write/understand Portuguese, you can translate it and attach a document attesting to its accuracy. In many latin american countries speaking Spanish, there is no need to translate documents into English. I'm going through this process currently and I sent my Colombian (2008) divorce decree to the USCIS with no RFE. (However, I did get an RFE for a previous (1991) divorce decree because I forgot to include it with my petition. LOLOL...and it was in English!)

Good luck with your petition and for the record, it is Fiance/Fiancee....not finance! LOLOL :innocent:

Best Wishes,

Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-25 20:11:00

k1 visa approval noa2 received, what next?

hello,
i hope somebody can help me on this dilemma. my fiancee visa application has already been approved march 4, 2010. according to the notice it has been forwarded to the listed consulate, though it does not state on the notice where the consulate is. I have sent an email to the Barbados consulate inquiring whether they have received my application and when should my fiancee expect packet 3, they told me that they are not in the position to inform me of that and that i should contact NVC. I contacted NVC a number of times and they kept on telling me that they have not received any application and may take 1-4 weeks. however, i have noticed that for k1 visas timeline here, they are usually just passing NVC for a few days and then forwarded to the consulate. and here is the thing, when i called again this morning in NVC, they told me that since based on the approval notice it has not stated there that it will be forwarded to NVC, they will not receive that specific application. I am really confused and do not know where and how to check the progress of my application. Any assistance on this matter will be very very great. Thanks guys!

Mine says "then send the petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your fiance(e) will be interviewed for his or her visa." My fiancee is in Costa Rica...therefore the paperwork will be sent to San Jose, Costa Rica. Your SO is in the Philippines...so yours should be sent to the Philippines...Manila, maybe??? If you read these I-797 forms, they are very specific with what is happening on your petition. Best Wishes, Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-25 21:31:00

k1 visa approval noa2 received, what next?

Hello Samson/Evelyn
Patience is a virtue and the journey will give you plenty of time to learn it!! First thing...your PETITION is being processed VERY QUICKLY so you have no room to complain about anything! 51 days from NOA-1 to NOA-2 is REALLY FAST. Your NOA-2 told you specifically that your file was being sent to the NVC on "whatever" date, right? Your only option is to WAIT until it arrives and be patient! My NOA-2 states, "You will receive notification by mail when the NVC has sent your petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate." It continues..."If it has been four weeks since you received this approval notice...please call the NVC at (603)334-0700."
You got your NOA-2 on March 4th...you are not at the 4 week mark! You can call the NVC every day if you want to drive yourself crazy. But, I suggest that you relax a bit and check every few days. Typically, the time your file spends at the NVC is very short. So, by the time you get the notification from the NVC, your paperwork may already be in the country of your fiance'. :dance:

Best Wishes,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-25 21:23:00

Do I the Petitioner have to fill out this form?

My fiance filled out his own DS156 and DS156K... he is the one applying for the visa, it makes no sense to me to fill it out myself and just have him sign it. I don't know all his details, he does. This thread baffles me.

One does not "apply" for a visa...the USC "petitions" for his/her fiance(e) to immigrate to the USA. By filling it out yourself, you eliminate any chances for error or misreading by the fiance(e). In the case of two people who speak perfect English, I would agree with you. But, a large percentage of VJ'ers do not speak a common language. Going over these forms by telephone would be a good way for you to "know all his details." :innocent:

Good Luck,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-25 23:04:00

Do I the Petitioner have to fill out this form?

In my opinion, YOU the petitioner should fill out ALL forms from petition to AOS. This is NOT a good project for teanwork and delegation. If you are comtemplating "doing it yourself" (obviously you are) then DO IT YOURSELF. Delegating pieces around raises your chances of failure exponentially! Do it yourself, tell her where to sign.

I agree with this response 1000% Remove all possibility for error...fill out the forms for her and show her where to sign!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbs:

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-25 22:55:00

When can I start applying for a visa?

If the daughter is yours she cannot apply for a visa as she is eligible for US citizenship. File a CRBA and get her a passport. Your fiancee divorce must be final and she must be free to marry before you can submit the petition. There is no waiting period after the divorce is final. You must submit a copy of her final divorce, translated to English, with the petition.

In many Spanish speaking countries, the "translated to English" provision is not necessary. I was divorced in Colombia and sent that divorce decree to the CSC with my original petition...no problem. It was in Spanish.
Good Luck,
Franc :thumbs:

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-04-01 21:13:00

HELP! Question - K1 Evidence

Thank you all for your replies! we are still trying to get all the papers together.
I believe we'll be sending the papers by the end of this month!

You'll be fine...as stated by someone else, the things you mentioned "may" be useful to have at the interview in Bogota. But, in the petitioning process... a few pages of photos together in various locations should be sufficient. I sent in 5 pages of photos with 4 to a page...got our approval very quickly.
Good Luck,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-04-02 20:47:00

I-134, where does it go?

Hello,
IF you are NOT attending the interview, you will need to send it to your fiance/e because they will ask for it at that time. However, IF you ARE ATTENDING the interview...you should just bring it with you and present it at that time. You can bring bank statements, pay stubs, etc. too....as mentioned by other responders to your post. Personally, I think the physical presence of the USC at the interview is very important. I plan to attend the interview with my fiancee' as a show of love and support. Plus, to have any additional back up information which might be needed.
Best Wishes,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-04-02 21:17:00

need help again "returned k-1"

Were you denied the visa at the interview? If you were, it appears your case has been returned to the USCIS where it will be kept in "long-term storage" or some interesting place. Really, I was quite confused with some of the words you used in your posting. If the visa was denied...there is only one place to start. Begin again with the process.
Best Wishes,
Franc
PS To my knowledge, there is no appeal process. The approval/denial is solely at the discretion of the consulate professional who speaks with you at the interview. What do you mean by "reaffirm?"

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-04-02 21:33:00

Pictures to send with K-1 Visa

I sent 20 photos....5 pages with 4 per page...dates & places...no problems. I used ones in various locations with a sign in the background or other noticeable landmark. There really is no "set number" of photos to be sent...just whatever you feel comfortable with is fine. NOTE: Sending in a telephone book sized photo album is overkill.
Best Wishes,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-04-02 21:50:00

What if a spouse dies before divorce is final?

no final divorce decree from a court= not divorced... married at the time of death.. the divorce becomes moot...

Excellent post...short, sweet and to the point!!!!! (I agree with you.)
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-04-02 20:40:00

Working in home country while on K-1 visa? and I-134 question

Hello,

I was browsing some of the other forums and noticed that it seems that my foreign fiancee will be eligible to work in the US after we're married and file for adjustment of status, and that's approved. He works as a freelance illustrator, and I was just wondering if it's possible for him to continue working with his foreign clientele while he's here on his K-1? Or does he need to stop working altogether?

I also noticed that on the I-134 (I think that's the form, where I verify that I can support him) there's a question that says "Have you filed for a visa application for anyone?" Do I check yes and include my fiancee on that box? Or do they assume that since I'm filing an I-134 that I've obviously already filed a visa application for someone?

Thanks very much! We just got our NOA1 today and are so excited the ball is rolling.

Hello and welcome to Visa Journey!!!
I'm going to let someone else answer part 1 of your posting. (However, my opinion is that he could continue to work with his foreign clientele while here. He cannot and should NOT be working and earning any money in the USA.)
Your answer to this question on the I-134 is "NO"...this is talking about another person in the past, not your fiance'. They do not assume anything...hence the questions are asked on the form for the information they need.
Best Wishes, :thumbs:

Franc

Edited by FrancElsie, 03 April 2010 - 11:17 PM.

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-04-03 23:16:00

Latin American Addresses

The addresses in Colombia are E-A-S-Y compared to Costa Rica. You should see the system there...it is horrible. Example: 100 meters north of the Coca Cola factory, green house on the corner with three steps painted yellow. (Not to mention that the Coca Cola factory burned down 30 years ago!) There are no house numbers or anything. I've sent stuff to my fiancee' and friends that never arrives...quite frustrating.
Good Luck on your journey :thumbs:

Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-04-04 21:27:00

UPDATE:
Apparently the PASSPORT hurdle has been jumped. They are picking up the boy's Passport next week. Now...onto the "permission to immigrate" letter from the father. They (my fiancee' & the father) made an agreement that she'd let him off the hook for child support (which he doesn't pay anyway) if he allows the child to immigrate. I am drafting some sort of document for her to use and have notarized there in Costa Rica. I think the problem is solved...for now!
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-04-04 22:02:00

there are other ways to use the money. VJ, TOS prevents me from details.

Congratulations on having 2,502+ postings on the VJ Forum. You must be very active on here...however, your posting did not help me whatsoever. I'm wondering why you bothered to post???
Buena Suerte con todos,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-15 19:13:00

By the way...when getting the passport, we were able to get the permission letter at the same time issued...it is a separate very official (although not all that fancy) piece of paper with Cedula information of both parents that stated that the daughter of my fiance had permission to go with either parent outside the country. They stamped it with a special 'sello' or seal from the immigration department. So, that way, there are not 2 processes you need to go thru..if you get the passport you can get permission to leave all at one time...Also, let me be clear...there was some discussion when we were talking to the immigration folks about what kind of permission was being granted...different options if you will. One choice was to have to get permission for every time the child left. Another choice was to have full rights to just the mother (father would not allow that). Another one was either parent (that is what we got). So, that is your challenge. Again, good luck!

Jeremy

Thanks Jeremy for your comments. The "father" only wants to "wash his hands" of this child/situation. He wants Elsie to sign off on all future support payments forever. IF she does this, he will do what is necessary to get a Passport for Elsie's son and sign off on the "permission" to leave Costa Rica. Your case/situation sounds a little different because BOTH parents seem to be involved in the life of your stepchild. That is not the case with us. So, good luck to you and keep me apprised to your situation.
Regards,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-15 19:02:00

2 options

1. In Ukraine (and maybe in Costa Rica) the father's permission was needed for the child to get their OWN passport. The father's permission was NOT need to add the child to the mother's passport. Adding the child to the mother's passport is sufficient for the issuance of the isa, IF Costa Rica allows it. Check it out.

2. Bribe the father. This is what we did to get his permission letter to allow the children to have a K-2 visa. You may need this alos (most likely) so maybe just bribe him one time and be done with it.

Thanks for your input. I will consider what you have said...although:

1) I have never heard of adding a child to a mother's passport. To my knowledge, all persons MUST have their OWN Passport from the country of their citizenship. I went through this one other time with a woman/daughter from Colombia...BOTH of them needed their OWN Passports. Same here in the USA....everyone needs their own Passport.

2) Fundamentally, I do not agree with bribes. Things must be done for the correct reasons, not financial gain. Additionally, the "permission letter" does not allow the children to have a K-2 Visa. Whether anyone gets a VISA is a decision made by the U.S. Government through the Visa Petitioning Process which we all are going through at this time. Thus, the "permission letter" allows the child/children to leave that country AFTER they have been granted a VISA by the USA.

Best Wishes to You,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-15 18:50:00

Sorry to hear this, with my own child and her father still being involved in her life, I really empathize with how stressful this is. We went through a phase when he was making noises about not permitting it and I nearly pulled my hair out with the stress of it all.

Just wanted to add that it's probably worth getting both authorizations done at the same time, namely signing the passport form AND the permission letter. Thinking being that if he'll only sign upon payment, you'll likely have a repeat "demand". I've never read anything that says it has to be dated within a certain period of time in relation to the interview date.

It might differ country to country but in England, it also needs to be a notarized signature, at least on the letter.

Good luck

Thanks for your input. I agree with you about getting BOTH authorizations done at the same time. This man IS NOT and HAS NOT been involved in the life of the boy at all. I put this into the hands of Elsie, my fiance' this morning. He wants her to "sign off" on any and all future support payments forever...then he will sign for the Passport and sign an authorization for the boy to leave the country. He has paid about $100 per year for the past 7 years as I understand things. I explained to Elsie that this is entirely her decision now and that I cannot do anything from the USA. She has two options: 1) Sign the paper to cancel his support payments forever and have a 90% chance of coming to the USA or 2) Not sign the paper to cancel his support payments, thus not getting a Passport for her son and having a 0% chance of getting a VISA for her and her son. The man has NOT asked for a bribe and I'm not sure that I would pay if he did want some money. In my opinion, people must do things for the right reasons and not just for financial reasons. So....we will see what happens shortly.

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-15 18:35:00

Hi Blue Bonnet and thanks for your response

She's had full responsibility for the child since birth...and as such there are "no formal custodial arrangements" since they were not married. He has acknowledged the boy and is listed on the birth certificate as the *father. That one simple fact has given him "parental rights" when he has done NOTHING for the benefit of this little boy. To my knowledge, he has not even seen him...certainly not paid much/anything for his support and benefit.

Elsie is able to move the child wherever she pleases...as long as it is within Costa Rica. To get this little boy to the USA, I need two things...both of which require the approval of the donor. (*father) 1) The boy needs a Costa Rican Passport. 2) A letter of consent to immigrate to the USA.
We're at step #1 now...getting the Costa Rica Passport. IF this *father is being un-cooperative at this point, I can only imagine how he will be at the next step of the process. I think this man is just trying to be a DUCK!!! And, he is succeeding!! LOLOL

Franc

Edited by FrancElsie, 13 March 2010 - 04:14 AM.

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-13 04:11:00

Hi Franc,
Sorry about the situation. I've emailed the San Jose Embassy several times and surprisingly enough, they've been fairly quick to respond each time I've had questions. In one of my queries I asked about a situation similar to yours.

The father MUST give written permission stating that he has given consent for the minor chilkd to permanently immigrate to the USA and his cedula must be copied and attached to the letter. In your case, it sounds like some money might need to change hands in order to get what you're seeking (it's happened before where a "financial arrangement" has been made in order to obtain the father's permission for the child to immigrate).

I CAN tell you that no Costa Rican court will terminate the father's parental rights due to non payment of child support - in fact there is NO child support enforcement in the entire country, so in your case appealing to the father's "charitable side" may be your only recourse.

Hope things work out. PM me - I have a contact name and email for the Consulate at the San Jose Embassy if you need it.

Alan

Hi Alan,
Thanks for your response and kind words of support. And, I agree with you. At this point, Elsie is trying to talk to him. But, I may have to go down there and speak with him also ... if she is unsuccessful. (Another $$$ visit was not planned at this time as I was waiting for her interview date.) Actually, we are NOT to the point of getting permission for the child to "immigrate" to the USA. We are at the CR Passport stage. The child does not have a Passport yet and the donor (*aka father) is uncooperative at this juncture. But, the issue is the same. And, we'll face the same thing in a few months when the interview is scheduled at the Costa Rican Embassy in San Jose. So, it is probably good that we are seeing what type of person we are dealing with... early in the process.
Regards,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-13 03:40:00

Hello VJ'ers,
Just got off the phone with my (very upset) fiance'. She told me that the biological father of her son is refusing permission for her son to get a Costa Rican Passport. He needs this Passport because without it, there will be no U. S. Visa. She had an appointment in the local city near where she lives for next week...19th of March. Initially, he had agreed IF she would sign a legal document relieving him of any future financial responsibility for the boy. No problem with that because he doesn't pay anything anyway....or rarely does. (He's supposed to pay $36/month.) Any ideas about this from you experts in this realm?
Thanks,
Franc

FrancElsie

Male

Costa Rica

2010-03-12 16:44:00