Other Immigration Law My adult German daughter wants to immigrate to the U.S.

[BusbyBerk]

My jurisdiction is: California, United States of America

I have a daughter, born in Germany to a German mother and myself while I was stationed there in 1987. She is now an adult, and she has expressed her desire to leave Germany and become a United States citizen. The child support has been paid in full for some time, according to the L.A. District Attorney (they even sent a refund check, saying I overpaid it). My name is on the German birth certificate, and she is sending notarized copies of them to me here in California. I do not know if there are any more hurdles, pitfalls coming, things that would prevent me from getting her citizenship. I do not have any sort of experience with this sort of thing. I do not even know where to begin. Has anyone ever heard of this sort of situation occuring? Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

 

[Michael Wechsler]

My understanding is that she has to apply for citizenship since she lives abroad. She will also need to travel here in order to complete the process. From what I understand and have just read, these are the general rules:

Birth Abroad to One Citizen and One Alien Parent in Wedlock: A child born abroad to one U.S. citizen parent and one alien parent acquires U.S. citizenship at birth under Section 301(g) INA provided the citizen parent was physically present in the U.S. for the time period required by the law applicable at the time of the child's birth. (For birth on or after November 14, 1986, a period of five years physical presence, two after the age of fourteen is required. For birth between December 24, 1952 and November 13, 1986, a period of ten years, five after the age of fourteen are required for physical presence in the U.S. to transmit U.S. citizenship to the child.

Birth Abroad Out-of-Wedlock to a U.S. Citizen Father: A child born abroad out-of-wedlock to a U.S. citizen father may acquire U.S. citizenship under Section 301(g) INA, as made applicable by Section 309(a) INA provided:

1) a blood relationship between the applicant and the father is established by clear and convincing evidence;

2) the father had the nationality of the United States at the time of the applicant's birth;

3) the father (unless deceased) has agreed in writing to provide financial support for the person until the applicant reaches the age of 18 years, and

4) while the person is under the age of 18 years --

A) applicant is legitimated under the law of their residence or domicile,

B) father acknowledges paternity of the person in writing under oath, or

C) the paternity of the applicant is established by adjudication court.