To those filing for Stepchildren

[spoilmilk]

My husband(USC) and I recently filed for my son which is his stepson. The process seems to be going smooth. Therefore, anyone filing for stepchildren have any questions please ask and I?ll do my best to help as we did our own applications without lawyers.

[helpmylife]

I filed for my wife and stepson, without the help of an attorney. Our case is still pending 3 years later, but on the final stages thankfully! I'm happy we didn't spend $$ on an attorney, as it is very doable without one. Although we made the mistake of not sending all/or enough evidence with the original packet. We were expecting the interview to be the bread and butter of evidence, but the agent didn't even take all the evidence we brought because she said we supplied them with more than enough. However, we were very wrong in not giving them everything. There is some great information posted by USCitizenfilingforspouse on here going over frontloading and other very helpful details. I would definitely recommend anyone to read through that, as that was probably our biggest downfall.

[Justus Forever]

My husband(USC) and I recently filed for my son which is his stepson. The process seems to be going smooth. Therefore, anyone filing for stepchildren have any questions please ask and I?ll do my best to help as we did our own applications without lawyers.

I have been looking for information on how to file and what to file for my step daughters 4 and 5. What forms to fill out they are not here in the states and I am the USC how long is the process and will they have to still go through interviews. I had other questions while I was looking for help now that you may can answer I don't remember right know. Thank you in advance with any feed back

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

I filed for my wife and stepson, without the help of an attorney. Our case is still pending 3 years later, but on the final stages thankfully! I'm happy we didn't spend $$ on an attorney, as it is very doable without one. Although we made the mistake of not sending all/or enough evidence with the original packet. We were expecting the interview to be the bread and butter of evidence, but the agent didn't even take all the evidence we brought because she said we supplied them with more than enough. However, we were very wrong in not giving them everything. There is some great information posted by USCitizenfilingforspouse on here going over frontloading and other very helpful details. I would definitely recommend anyone to read through that, as that was probably our biggest downfall.

And here is the part that irks me when I hear that the ISO says "We do not need any additional evidence to make a decision". Sure, but what decision is it that you want to make, dear ISO??? Do you want to deny me or approve me?

And that's why I think it's best to gently insist on them taking everything you bring in to the interview. If the ISO declines, then ask for a supervisor.

I just had someone in a similar situation as yours, who followed my kamikaze recommendation of making an InfoPass appointment and bringing all the evidence with them, that they had managed to gather after the interview. The InfoPass officer said "we do not need any additional evidence in order to make a decision, but you may submit it if you want to". So they did. They even gave him a receipt for it.

Goes to show that they do not have your best interest in mind. So you have to look out for yourself, and cry for a supervisor if you have to.

All the best, USCFFS