[kboomba]

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This post has been edited by kboomba: 07/02/2013, 05:57 AM

[Dinosaurus]

I'm not American but couldn't ignore your OP.

I'm so sorry you're having this stress

Im sure someone will be along soon with the answer.

[Bacongirl]

I'm Canadian, but lived in the US with a green card and had a social security number. From memory you only need a SS card if you are going to be working and have to pay taxes or try to claim social security benefits. Here is a link to the SS site. http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10096.html#a0=0


I can't think of any reason that their GF would need SS numbers unless the accounts are in the children's names, and they will earn interest that they would then need to declare as income, and pay taxes on.


If you and DH are on rocky ground and you suspect he is going to try and take the kids, then I would hide the passports. I think you can also lodge their names with immigration here. so if he tries to leave without your permission, they will be stopped at the airport

[seaside_shells]

I am not American and can't answer your SS question, but if you are concerned about him taking the children out of the country without your consent then it would be a good idea to get them put on the Airport Watch List, especially if they already have passports. Have a look at this factsheet from the Family Law Courts for some more info. All the best OP.

[kpingitquiet]

Well, they ARE American citizens, they just don't have the paperwork yet. He just has to get the paperwork situated. All he has to do is file a document declaring that he's the father (usually with a copy of the birth certificate), then he will be able to get their Consular Birth Report from the US Embassy, as well as a passport and SSN.

Now, as to whether or not the college fund would require SSNs...maybe? A basic high-interest savings acct would not, but 529 plan or education savers might, to make them eligible for all the tax breaks. So yeah, maybe is the answer I'm sticking with.

As to whether or not he can take them and disappear, US airlines typically require a letter of permission from the non-present parent to take a minor on intl flights. I don't know if Australian airlines are similarly cautious but I imagine so.

Is there a particular reason you wouldn't consider livin in the US for awhile, just to give it a shot? Or have you been there, done that? I ask because it would spell pretty instant divorce for us if my husband flat out refused to give US living a try. Thankfully he's open to it. Is this issue what's causing the rockiness or is it a whole list of things? To me, fearing that your husband will kidnap your children is a bit more than rocky.

[kpingitquiet]

And, SSNs are used for many things in the US. Opening bank accounts, buying savings bonds for children, anything tax related (including tax-exempt savings accounts, etc), as well as employment and access to govt services. The govt encourages people to file for their child's SSN at birth, but it's not mandatory.

[kboomba]

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This post has been edited by kboomba: 07/02/2013, 05:54 AM

[kpingitquiet]

Those sound like pretty good (and very awful) reasons, to me. VERY strange that he was able to travel without permission. I've watched people get turned away for not having consent letters so I'm shocked by that. If you have Aussie passports for the kids and have them stashed then you're likely protected, or could issue a recovery order (sole parents forum would know more about those!) I'm pretty certain he can get their consular birth report without your signature. But, to be fair, that's their birthright. The passport application requires this form for minors: http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds3...ds3053_846.html which is a parental consent form. He could, theoretically, lie and write a fabricated statement that he was unable to get your consent for whatever reason, but that'd take some serious lying and risk federal prosecution.

I'm really sorry you're in this situation

[kboomba]

Thanks