My mother let me know a few year ago that my real father was an American man from Maine.
But my step father is my legal adopted father on my Birth Certificate.
He is willing to give up that title, no questions asked.
I came to American 3 years ago to find my real dad and we finally met a couple of weeks ago in Phoenix. He's a traveling womanizer, like father like son.
As I'm aware and have been aware since I came here, i'm a dual citizen. But I did not seek to exercise that right on the way into the country, but am according to law, well within my rights to reside here.
Next steps?
My mother is to file my real fathers name with the birth and death registry in Manchester.UK.
I'm now married to an American, but have avoided a paper trail until now.
What would be the best thing to do?
I've been told to visit the American embassy and ask there.
Another friend said, "Get a lawyer", but as I'm not an immigration case, I have no desire to get involved with an Immagration lawyer.
My father is willing to submit to DNA testing, that's not a problem.
Now I want all the credintials, social security, passport, but just don't know where to start.
Any help would be greatly apprceieted.
And I aplogize for my 'convenient' situation, I realize a lot of you go through hell with Visa's and the sort.
Another problem, is I've been working freelance for 3 years, making a pretty good yearly wage. I know I can pay back taxes once my situation is declared here in the US.. But how much trouble am I likely to be in for avoiding my tax duties as a citizen for all this time.
Thanks.
A summary of the relevent law is found here:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/acs...obirth.htm
Child born out of wedlock to a U.S. Citizen father:
A child born outside of the United States to an U.S. Citizen father where there is no marriage to the non-American mother is entitled to U.S. Citizenship providing the American citizen father had been physically present in the United States for the period of time as specified in previous paragraphs for children born in wedlock to one U.S. Citizen and one non-U.S. Citizen parent, either before or after November 14, 1986; and
[list]
[*]the alien mother completes an "Affidavit to establish paternity of child" at this office before a consular officer; and
[*]the father signs a sworn statement agreeing to provide financial support for the child until s/he reaches the age of 18 years; and
[*]the father provides a written statement acknowledging paternity;
or
[*]the child is legitimated under local law (in England and Wales legitimization can only take place as of when the parents marry, provided the father is domiciled in England and Wales);
or
[*]paternity is established by a competent court before the child attains the age of 18 years;[/list:u]
Then, to see what to do if you believe you have a claim to US citizenship, follow
this link, where it tells you to:
If you were born outside the United States, have not been previously documented as a U.S. citizen, and are:
over the age of 18: you should review the information concerning transmission requirements to see if your parent(s) had the prerequisite physical presence in the United States required by U.S. citizenship law in effect at that time. If, based on this information, you believe you have a claim to U.S. citizenship, you should write to us at the following address, giving as many details of your situation as possible:
Passport & Citizenship Unit
U.S. Embassy
5 Upper Grosvenor Street
London
W1A 2LQ
We will then let you know if there are any grounds for you to pursue your citizenship claim further.
Now that's what you'd do if you lived in the UK, but given that you are not, then it would either still be a London matter or it would be something intially for the USCIS, as I imagine they would have to issue a Citizenship Certificate for you, which you would need before you could get a US passport.
Until you have that Certificate, you are a visitor or immigrant to the US, and have to comply with that set of laws - or get a lawyer's advice.
I would imagine they had some set procedure for it, with all the "GI Joe" babies out there...
Good luck from another still looking for his blood father.
Sounds like I could probably pull that off while still in the US
There's not much chance I can get my Dad on a plane to England.
I just don't where to start.
btw, is it legal to do the DNA test myself and submit that
or do they take care of that stuff for you?
I'm thinking it would be best to show up with as much evidence as possible
If you are going to become a US citizen, you'd have to get a Certificate of Citizenship. So, if I were you, I'd start by looking at the application form for this
http//uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/N-600.pdf
I think you really should at least have a quick consultation with a good immigration lawyer on this. You say you are not an immigration case, but I think ultimately you really are . . . just that you have a claim to citizenship already. That's within the domain of immigration law -- immigration lawyers also do citizenship stuff.
I have no idea how the tax situation is going to work out. I'm not sure that it will be a problem as, right now, I don't think you are a US citizen - you just have a claim to citizenship, as yet unexercised. But, I know nothing about this stuff. Of course, you can always just apply for a green card and later become a citizen through your wife if it looks like the other route is going to be problematic in any way.
At some point you are probably either going to have to get a lawyer, or just wade right in with the embassy. I'm not sure what harm there is in going to the embassy and just being up front about your situation, but who knows . . .
Short story - see a lawyer. An intial consultation should not cost you the earth . . .
Check other avenues too. Our local congressman, Pete Hoekstra, has his staff do pro bono work assisting immigration issues. They helped no end when I was filing.
Our local congressman, Pete Hoekstra, has his staff do pro bono work assisting immigration issues. They helped no end when I was filing.
Welcome to the Hotel Michigan
such a lovely place
you can check in any time you like.........
:lol:
I agree very much with Texasbrit :D
About the DNA stuff, I don't know what the answer is, but understanding the attitude of the USCIS towards simple medical exams for greencards, you would certainly not do it yourself.
I would imagine that if they require DNA evidence (which they probably will) after reviewing your initial N-600 form, they'd give you a list of USCIS-approved doctors who would take the samples and send them for processing.
You have to make sure that your current immigration status is legal (eg work/student visa, green card through your marriage). I really don't think you have to worry about tax returns while you were outside the US since you are not yet a US citizen yet, but you will need to be up to date on things since you've been living there.
If you are in the US illegally, then you should see an immigration lawyer before making any applications to the USCIS and before leaving the country for any reason; if they tell you to return to the UK to apply, seek a second opinion. If you don't have any kind of visa to the US, you are only allowed to stay for up to 90 days at any one time.
Check other avenues too. Our local congressman, Pete Hoekstra, has his staff do pro bono work assisting immigration issues. They helped no end when I was filing.
They just helped us also this week in regards to getting Matthew into INS without an appt. to get home for his mum's funeral.
Our local congressman, Pete Hoekstra, has his staff do pro bono work assisting immigration issues. They helped no end when I was filing.
Welcome to the Hotel Michigan
such a lovely place
you can check in any time you like.........
:lol:
They just helped us also this week in regards to getting Matthew into INS without an appt. to get home for his mum's funeral.
...and you can also leave.......
;)
Nice to hear of good politicians.
/thread hijack
He *is* good. My wife votes Democrat all the way down the card except for Pete Hoekstra. I wrote to him asking about his view on Dubya's plan to allow illegal immigrants certain rights, I didn't like this "queue jumping" and avoiding of the $600+ and years of application and stress. He responded very well and let me know he was not particularly in favour of the plan as it was presented. Seems to be a very moderate right.
He *is* good. My wife votes Democrat all the way down the card except for Pete Hoekstra. I wrote to him asking about his view on Dubya's plan to allow illegal immigrants certain rights, I didn't like this "queue jumping" and avoiding of the $600+ and years of application and stress. He responded very well and let me know he was not particularly in favour of the plan as it was presented. Seems to be a very moderate right.
Hoekstra was born in Netherlands himself, so I think he understands a bit more than you're run of the mill congressman about immigration issues.
I like the lad.
Grammar police....shame you cou couldn't read what you wrote there eh :roll: Born in Netherlands? A bit more than you're are run off the mill.........?
:D
He *is* good. My wife votes Democrat all the way down the card except for Pete Hoekstra. I wrote to him asking about his view on Dubya's plan to allow illegal immigrants certain rights, I didn't like this "queue jumping" and avoiding of the $600+ and years of application and stress. He responded very well and let me know he was not particularly in favour of the plan as it was presented. Seems to be a very moderate right.
Hoekstra was born in Netherlands himself, so I think he understands a bit more than you're run of the mill congressman about immigration issues.
I like the lad.
Grammar police....shame you cou couldn't read what you wrote there eh :roll: Born in Netherlands? A bit more than you're are run off the mill.........?
you're a knobhead
is that correct enough for you then?