Citizenship through non-custodial parent?

[clarissa97]

Hello,

I recently became a US citizen and applied for my passport and that of my 16 year old child. Days later I received information telling me that while my application was being processed, that of my child was going to be delayed because I am not the custodial parent. I am a divorced single mother and while in the divorce it says that my ex-husband is the custodial parent of our child, my child has been living with me since she came to the USA about 11 years ago. I am the one who has her as a dependent, and we have extensive proof that I support her and she lives with me. Can she still become a citizen if I can prove I she lives with me and that I support her financially 100%? Or is a change in custody necessary for this to happen?

I am worried because when we applied for her passport, her green card was taken with the application, and she is currently without any proof of her status. And I have also heard that even voluntary custody change, can be a long long process that we are trying to avoid.

Thank you,
Clarissa97

[rayb]

A notarized approval statement from the other parent should satisfy the "2-parent" requirement. The temporary loss of the Green Card can be problematic. Do you have a photocopy of the Green Card?

--Ray B

Hello,

I recently became a US citizen and applied for my passport and that of my 16 year old child. Days later I received information telling me that while my application was being processed, that of my child was going to be delayed because I am not the custodial parent. I am a divorced single mother and while in the divorce it says that my ex-husband is the custodial parent of our child, my child has been living with me since she came to the USA about 11 years ago. I am the one who has her as a dependent, and we have extensive proof that I support her and she lives with me. Can she still become a citizen if I can prove I she lives with me and that I support her financially 100%? Or is a change in custody necessary for this to happen?

I am worried because when we applied for her passport, her green card was taken with the application, and she is currently without any proof of her status. And I have also heard that even voluntary custody change, can be a long long process that we are trying to avoid.

Thank you,
Clarissa97