My Chinese girlfriend and I (US Citizen) has just found out that we will have a bundle of joy come August. We are very happy.. but are planning could have been better. Here is our situation and my questions. I accepted a long term expat assignment in Dalian, China that was to last 3-5 years but ended in only 3 months. During my time in Dalian I met a fantastic Chinese woman and we started a serious relationship. Unfortunately I had to move back to the States and start another project. I flew back over for Christmas and we got engaged...we have also started the K1 visa process.

My questions: Since we are unsure of the K1 visa timeline (6-9 months) there is a very good chance we will have the baby here in China. My fiancée is under the impression that without being married in China before the birth, the baby will have no birth record from the hospital and/or government. My plan is to immediately apply for US citizenship but I'm still checking on embassy requirements (reason for email).

Will the hospital provide us with the necessary documents (Birth Certificate) that the US Consulate General / Embassy will require for US Citizenship?
Do we need to be married?
What is the process for getting citizenship for the baby?

As far as I know, yes. As long as you are the Dad on birth certificate it can be a US citizen.

Visas and marriage certs don't come into it.

I birth certificate is provided regardless of marriage or not. But you can get married here in China in less then half an hour, that will solve your situation.

I truly love my fiancee but I don't want to get married in China due to the K1 (fiancee visa). It's my understanding that the spouse visa (K3?) will take longer to get her to the States than following through with the K1. I just need to be sure that a birth certificate is issued which is a requirement for the Consulate for US Citizenship.

wrw1230 wrote:My Chinese girlfriend and I (US Citizen) has just found out that we will have a bundle of joy come August. We are very happy.. but are planning could have been better. Here is our situation and my questions. I accepted a long term expat assignment in Dalian, China that was to last 3-5 years but ended in only 3 months. During my time in Dalian I met a fantastic Chinese woman and we started a serious relationship. Unfortunately I had to move back to the States and start another project. I flew back over for Christmas and we got engaged...we have also started the K1 visa process.

My questions: Since we are unsure of the K1 visa timeline (6-9 months) there is a very good chance we will have the baby here in China. My fiancée is under the impression that without being married in China before the birth, the baby will have no birth record from the hospital and/or government. My plan is to immediately apply for US citizenship but I'm still checking on embassy requirements (reason for email).

Will the hospital provide us with the necessary documents (Birth Certificate) that the US Consulate General / Embassy will require for US Citizenship?
Do we need to be married?
What is the process for getting citizenship for the baby?

WW

Yes! You need to be married! Otherwise no Hu Kou!

Adele

Adele
Thanks for the reply but we are not looking for a Hukou but a birth certificate. Our plan is not to stay in China but move the fiancee and baby to the US. Basically looking for some advice from a single mom with plans to be married after the baby is born...anyone?

Bill

I have no idea how Chinese hospitals work. It kinda sounds like she's rushing you toward the altar.

That said, the guy at Seeing Red in China works at a hospital. He might be able to help you.

I suspect that moving your fiancee to the US will be much, much more difficult, regardless of if you try to get her to come over on a fiancee or a spousal visa. My aunt and uncle had a hell of a time with INS in the early 1990s, and he (a) is European and (b) never wanted a green card.

I'm told that INS/ICE is pretty skeptical of WMAF relationships, and most Chinese wives can't pass their tests. I strongly suggest that you hire an immigration attorney.

you said ::::::e:

But you can get married here in China in less then half an hour, that will solve your situation;;;; where can do that, please let me know,, I would like to have that information in lest that a month.

Sorry that I said that I kneed the that information in lest that a month. is because my fiancee is already 7 months pregnant.. I hear that if we married after the birth the government will fine very hard. Then we need to get marry in lest of a month.

I would get married in China and have the baby in China as well, then enter into the application process for a K3 visa for your spouse (if you marry in China, the K3 must be applied for and issued in China). US Immigration won't hassle you to hard. You can do pretty much everything yourself if you have time on your hands and can make a trip to Beijing for a week. I were going to hire an immigration attorney, I would search Chicago first then Houston. Now a K1, expect a hassle and hire an attorney.