Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad
Hi all,
I would like to know how to proceed to get the citizenship for a child born abroad out of wedlock. We live in the Caribbean. His father is an American citizen. He refuses to legally recognize him so I tried to stablish the child support but could not complete the process because I needed a lawyer because there was a problem of jurisdiction since the minor does not live in the US. So, I signed an agreement with the father and he has been sending some money every month and I have the paternity test that were ordered by the US court when I initiated the petition for the child support. So, presenting the receipts from the remmittance company plus the DNA results, is it possible that I can request the citizenship for my baby boy here in the USA embassy in my home country?
Re: Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad
Hopefully at some point the father lived in the US for a year at some point in his life, otherwise there is no way the kid is getting citizenship.
You need to provide clear and convincing evidence that the US Citizen is the father. Presumably your US court ordered paternity test suffices of that. Information on the forms and how to file them are here: http://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HT...-Chapter3.html
Re: Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad
Not all US citizens are eligible to have a child receive citizenship when not eligible through the child's birth. You should consult a US licensed attorney to determine if the child is eligible.
Re: Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad
Yes, the father is an American citizen since he is 13 years old. He also currently lives in the United States. As evidence I have the DNA test results ordered by the court in the United States and the receipts of the money he sends every month. Will that be enough to request the citizenship for my son?
Re: Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad
thank you. As per the information published in the State Dept website in this case it is applicable.
Re: Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad
Quote:
Quoting
T53147
Not all US citizens are eligible to have a child receive citizenship when not eligible through the child's birth. You should consult a US licensed attorney to determine if the child is eligible.
Actually, I am going to differ slightly from this advice. I would recommend, as a first step, going and visiting the nearest US Embassy or Consulate...with all of your documentation in hand. You may end up with the same advice, to hire an attorney in the US, but I think that they are a better source of information than we could be.
Re: Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad
With DNA proof, you should be able to establish the child's citizenship without dads help. If you wait until he becomes an adult the laws change.
Re: Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad
Be aware that with US citizenship come responsibilities. Be sure that you consider all requirements once he is no longer a minor (age 18).
Also, you cannot benefit from his citizenship until he is 21, AND as the parent of a US citizen, it will be difficult to obtain a non-immigrant visa (such as tourist and business) to the US.
Depending on the circumstances, claiming citizenship if there is no immediate benefit may not be in your best interest. Once he has citizenship, you cannot renounce it for him; he must be of legal age. You need to consider all of the implications which is the reason for an attorney consultation.
Re: Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad
Which responsibilities/implications are you talking about? I already have a tourist visa for USA.
Re: Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad
Quote:
Quoting
assistanceseeker
Which responsibilities/implications are you talking about? I already have a tourist visa for USA.
He has to pay income taxes and I believe FICA/medicare taxes on earned income to the US no matter where he lives/works and has to register for selective services if male.