Citizenship for babies

[lswote]

Well I have been married for only 4 months and my wife is already 1 month pregnant so I have new things to learn.  We want the baby to an American citizen but she would also like to deliver the baby where her parents can be involved and since her parents can't get tourist visas, the only place that can happen is in Colombia.  If she has the baby in Colombia can the baby still be an American citizen if I am a citizen?

[wizard]

... in response to Citizenship for babies, posted by lswote on Jun 6, 2003

Hey Bruce...

I can't offer any assistance on the citizenship issue, but I just wanted to offer my congratulations to you and Zulma...

Sorry for the tardy post, but Francy and I just returned from Bogota... Yep, she's here with me now...

Good luck to you and your new family...

Mark

[Michael B]

... in response to Citizenship for babies, posted by lswote on Jun 6, 2003

[This message has been edited by Michael B]

Wow, you work fast, I'm still waiting for the K-1. Well, you've already got some immigration advice answers below, so I'll just say congratulations. I was married to a Latina for 16 years and we had two children--you're right to want her to be with her family at this time if at all possible, like someone below said, they look to their mothers for support and help with childbirth and care. Unfortunitely, my X's mother was already deceased before I met her, and I can tell you from experience that it was extreemly hard on her (not having her mother's help and advice etc. with the kids), so I know you're doing the right thing for your wife. Too bad the grandparents can't get a visa, but you all should visit them as often as time and finances permit (as I'm sure you will).

PS: Your phone bill's going to go up! Buy lots of cards, might even be worth it to get her parents a computer (don't forget a webcam) so they can internet chat/voice/cam each other  instead of just talking on the phone.

PPS: Just thought of something else. My grandmother was from France (a WWI war bride)....the ONLY thing I've ever heard my mother or any of my aunts and uncles say bad about her was that she refused to teach her children French......and my X didn't teach our kids Spanish either (although that's certainly not the only thing bad I could say about her, but I won't go there right now).....DON'T you make that same mistake.

[lswote]

... in response to Re: Citizenship for babies, posted by Michael B on Jun 7, 2003

Thanks Michael.  Already got the webcam, bought it the first week she was here.  There is an internet cafe near her parents's house.  We intend to teach the children both Spanish and English.  It is interesting to see the different ways that folks decide to take on a Gringo/Latina marriage.  Many couples seem to settle into an English only household, where the wife learns English.  But my wife and I have taken the tactic that we both must adapt to each others culture and she is learning English (very seriously, class several hours every day) and I am learning Spanish (though more from just talking to her, reading the Spanish newspaper we subscribe to and watching movies in Spanish or with Spanish subtitles than studying any material).  We go to movies in English with Spanish subtitles whenever we can (I know living near Miami gives me that opportunity that most men don't have) and we shop at Spanish supermarkets as well as the local American grocery store.  We intend to do our best to expose our children to both cultures and might even move to Colombia for awhile.

[Michael B]

... in response to Re: Re: Citizenship for babies, posted by lswote on Jun 7, 2003

Well, my X didn't have to learn English after we got married, she already had a BA degree in modern languages from a major US university and speaks English better than half the guys on this board, 99% of her customers don't even think she has an accent. She also speaks Spanish, French and Portuguese....and even though I've lived in Mexico and taught Spanish in high school and community college, she just didn't speak it at home and when I would she'd say "you talk like a drunk Mexican" and switch back to English. Beleive it or not, I've never been to Costa Rica, but she's taken the kids there 3 or 4 times and they (especialy the daughter) come back all frustrated that they can't communicate with their cousins. You've got the right plan, keep working it.

Now Martha (the one I'm waiting on the K-1 for) knows about 10 words of English, so I'm going to have to teach her, and her son. He's 17 and wants to join the US Navy when he gets here. Already talked to a recruiter on his behalf and as a legal resident he can indeed join, but has to pass the entrance test in English (but once he's in they will give him additional English classes), so I've got my work cut out for me.

[thundernco]

... in response to Citizenship for babies, posted by lswote on Jun 6, 2003

If you were born in the USA, not a problem if your child is born in CO.  We went through the same exact thing with our child.  You'll need the registro civil from CO., some info on you, and you'll have to register the child at the Embassy (Consular Birth Abroad, or something to that effect), and apply for a US Passport at the same time.  Both parents should go to the embassy to do this, but if nec. only one can go although it must (?) be the US citizen.  If you're interested, I can set you up with our insurance guy in Cali, I pay 54K pesos a month for fantastic full coverage for my Wife,self and children.  Congratulations!

[Sam Club]

... in response to Re: Citizenship for babies, posted by thundernco on Jun 6, 2003

[This message has been edited by Sam Club]

Thundernco is correct!  Well as far as pre-Sept. 11.  My previous relationship was in Colombia and our child was born in-country and I had to register our child at the US Embassy in Bogota.  My child now has a dual citizenship with a US "born abroad" certificate.  However, this was in 1998!

[lswote]

... in response to Re: Citizenship for babies, posted by thundernco on Jun 6, 2003

How quickly can you return with the child to the US if the baby is born in Colombia?

Thanks for the insurance info, but my wife lives in Bogota and I believe she still has a policy that covers her and her parents there.

[thundernco]

... in response to Re: Re: Citizenship for babies, posted by lswote on Jun 6, 2003

As long as all of your paperwork is in order, and assuming your wife has her visa to travel; then it's about 30-60 days to get everything processed and get your child's passport.  They do the paperwork simultaneously but then have to send it to the US to have the passport made here.  I have the files and docs necessary to do this on another computer, if you'd like shoot me your email and I'll zip them over to you along with some links.

[Sam Club]

... in response to Re: Re: Citizenship for babies, posted by lswote on Jun 6, 2003

We were told not to travel until the baby at least had the first set of vac. shots.

[cancunhound]

... in response to Citizenship for babies, posted by lswote on Jun 6, 2003

I had checked into this - yes, it just requires guess what?
More paperwork.  You'd have to file for citizenship in Bogota - NOT the US.  Here's the link and congratulations, looks like you'll have the chance to get the toddler dual citizenship like I just did:

http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/start_here/4birth_abroad.htm

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Citizenship for babies, posted by cancunhound on Jun 6, 2003

If you choose that route, get about 100 notarized copies of that birth certificate down there!  And be forewarned, in the future your wife will most assuredly be travelling solo with toddler from time to time to visit her folks.  This requires a special authorization from you that must be processed at your Colombian consulate.  Without it, she may not be able to return to the states with said toddler.

[Edge]

... in response to Citizenship for babies, posted by lswote on Jun 6, 2003

Bruce - I do not know the answer to your question but I wanted to offer my congratulations to you and your wife on having a baby.

My wife's parents also cannot get a tourist visa so there is no way for them to come to visit their daughter and son-in-law here.  These latin families generally are so close that events like pregnancy and babies are a really important time that the daughter wants to share with her family.  The daughter also looks to the mother at this time for her help.  

Oh well - I wish the government could see what I consider a serious error for them and allow the wife's immediate family to come and make the american man responsible if they do not return.  Especially if the woman is pregnant.  But they do not see it this way which makes me think that they do not really care about strong families or family values.

Good luck and I hope all turns out well for both of you.