Legitimize children out of wedlock. Please Help !

[petreape]

I am married to a US Citizen and I am a legal permanent resident in US .
I am the father of 4 children born out of wedlock in my born country.
Their mother has accepted to give me full custody.
I want to legitimize them in a court here in New Jersey before to apply to my citizenship and before they reach 16 years old.
So they can apply to derivative citizenship when I become US citizen.
How can I do that .
Can I present my case by myself using some advice or I do need a Lawyer.
Many thanks in advance

[mai95]

You can not do it they way you suggest.

You need to petition them as child. either your spouse petition them now. or you become US citizen and you petition them yourself. and they don't age out unitl 21. meaning they have until 21 to get visa and enter the US. and they must be Single when entering.