Legal Question in Immigration Law in Pennsylvania

Re: immigration

You asked about immigration for a child born outside the United States.

The good news is that a child parented by a U.S. citizen is automatically a U.S. citizen. You will need to work with an immigration attorney to assure all goes smoothly. Generally you will need to have the mother formally relinquish parental rights (or less preferably, grant permission to travel with the child).

Be certain to secure multiple copies of the child's birth records and get those verified by having a Hague Apostille attached (this certifies the document as accurate by government authorities). The documents will be necessary multiple times throughout the child's life and having the copies available will make life easier in the future. I would even suggest getting twice as many as you actually think you will need. Any other records generated would also be good to have along with necessary translations (medical, family medical history, etc.). Also, do not forget to obtain genealogical information from the mother. In the future the child may wish to reconnect with that side of her family.

Congratulations and good luck,

Regards,

Roger