Petition of a Step Child

[cabanas04]

Hi, I have not been on the site for a while since my husband was approved. My husband has another year before he can apply to be a citizen. We have 2 children here in the US. My husband left Mexico 12 years ago when had a son that was 6 months old at the time and did not meet him again until 1 1/2 years ago when he went back for his waiver appointment. I got to meet him this past February when we went to visit. It was a wonderful time and he was very excited to meet his fathers family. His son wants to come live with us now and his mother is very nice and willing to let her son come to stay with his dad in the US. I have started the process this week with Janis Peterson-Lord to petition my step son. Just curious what the experience has been here on the site and the time frame we can expect. I have already started the first step I-130. The lawyer said maybe 4-6 months for the next step. Can anyone give me a rough idea of what is to come next and how long? The lawyer seems to think this should be a smooth case. My step son has never been to the US. I am hoping he can make it by August for school.

[3tepas]

The process is fairly simple for the step-children. I'm currently petioning for mine as well. Their I130's were approved very quickly and we are working on the next steps. Someone else on the El Salvador forum successfully brought her step-daughter here before her husband even and hopefully she will chime in with more info. I can see your step-child being here by August for sure. It really depends how quickly you proceed.

[dyh718]

The process was very easy. I think that the approval of the I130 actually took the longest for us. We sent everything to the NVC on Dec. 30th and her visa appointment was Feb.2nd. Her passport/visa came on February 4th.

We did run into issues with traveling with her. You do want to investigate thoroughly the requirements / authorizations needed by the countries for traveling with a minor. Our lawyer was not aware of the rules that El Salvador has in place and they are VERY strict with all of it. We learned that the hard way!!

[cabanas04]

Thanks! So how long do you think for the I-130? I sent my lawyer in California the papers she will have them today so she will prepare everything and then send off next week. She seems to think 4-6 months but I am hoping sooner. After that is approved then we apply for a appointment?

[MyAmado]

The process was very easy. I think that the approval of the I130 actually took the longest for us. We sent everything to the NVC on Dec. 30th and her visa appointment was Feb.2nd. Her passport/visa came on February 4th.

We did run into issues with traveling with her. You do want to investigate thoroughly the requirements / authorizations needed by the countries for traveling with a minor. Our lawyer was not aware of the rules that El Salvador has in place and they are VERY strict with all of it. We learned that the hard way!!

Well, I am now at the NVC as my I130 was approved on 1-21-12. We are now waiting for his appointmentin Honduras. Not sure what to expect. Did you have to do a DNA test for your step child? We are hoping it is not needed. Also what did you bump into at the time of traveling if you can give us a heads up. Thanks, Cecy

[dyh718]

The I130 was 5 months, I believe. We did not have to do a DNA, but I have heard of that being done.
The first time that I went, I took a letter of authorization that was notarized here in the USA for my husband. It all had to be done in a certain format for the Salvadoran government. I had to then take it and have it pre-approved. Even though it was pre-approved, I still had to have ANOTHER official at the airport approve it before we could get our tickets. From my research on all of this, I have found that various countries have their own specific rules. The Salvadoran government requires Salvadoran notaries for all of their documents.