Status of a Foreign-Born Child

[marc green]

my son will be born in columbia. i am a US citizen. my girlfriend is not. can my son become a US citizen?

[T53147]

Yes. International child support and visitation issues can be complex. The fact he will be born outside of a marriage complicates matters. You should discuss the processes required in both Columbian and US law for you to be his recognized father and documents needed to register his birth at the consulate with an attorney experienced in these issues. Be aware that this will not give your girlfriend any immigration benefit until he becomes 21.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Assuming we're talking about Colombia (not, say, British Columbia), start here.

[grrrrreat]

Your son may be a citizen from birth. If you are not married to his mother, you may have to go through some additional steps to prove your paternity. I echo the other poster to start with the Bogota Embassy website. You will need to apply for a consular report of birth abroad, U.S. passport, and social security number at the embassy.

If for some reason you are not able to establish your son's citizenship, you may be able to petition for him to come to the U.S. as a legal permanent resident. If you obtain an immigrant visa for him and bring him to the U.S. to live with you, he becomes a citizen automatically under the Child Citizenship Act. Good luck!