At Foster + Bloom, we understand that building a family is one of life’s most important journeys. Our experienced attorneys provide the legal expertise and personal guidance you need to navigate every step with confidence. When your family’s story crosses borders, we turn complex legal landscapes into clear, manageable paths.
As the nation’s most experienced law firm dedicated exclusively to family-building, we combine unmatched expertise with compassion. In Florida, we serve as your dedicated citizenship lawyer and advocate, giving families the confidence that their future is legally secure.
How an Immigration Attorney Can Help You Build or Protect Your Family
Navigating citizenship and immigration law is about ensuring your family is recognized and protected. Your path to parenthood shouldn’t be navigated alone. We provide expert legal guidance tailored to your unique family-building journey.
Professional support is essential when the permanence of your family is at stake. While many wonder if they can manage these complex processes on their own, having an expert guide ensures your family unit remains secure and legally protected.
We provide a full suite of services to support Florida families through every stage of their immigration and citizenship process:
- International Adoption (I-600/I-800): When adopting from abroad, we simplify country-specific laws and U.S. immigration requirements so your focus stays on your growing family. We frequently help Florida parents finalize these processes through local court recognition and federal filings.
- International Surrogacy: Cross-border surrogacy involves unique challenges in establishing parental rights and securing citizenship. We ensure your international surrogacy journey is legally sound and meets Florida’s specific regulatory standards.
- Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect (SIJS): If a child cannot safely reunify with their parents, we help you secure permanent residence for them. We navigate the specific requirements of Florida family courts to obtain the necessary predicate orders.
- Citizenship Certificates (N-600): We help you obtain official proof of your child’s U.S. citizenship, whether through birth abroad or adoption by American parents, through Florida-based USCIS processing.
- Citizenship Applications (N-400): As a permanent resident, you can work with our team to apply for naturalization and take the final steps to becoming a U.S. citizen at your local Florida field office.
- Family Sponsorship (I-130/N-600K): We provide the guidance needed to bring your spouse, children, parents, or siblings to Florida through the family-based immigration process.
- Green Card Applications (I-485): We can help you apply for permanent residence without leaving the United States, keeping your family together in Florida during the transition.
- Birth Certificates Abroad (CRBA): If your child was born outside the United States, we’ll help you document their citizenship so their status is officially recognized by all Florida and federal agencies.
- Visa and Passport Assistance: We provide clear guidance on applications for your family members, as well as support for USCIS appeals and responses to denials.
- Avoiding Delays and Denials: The citizenship application process is rigorous. Getting professional help from our Florida team is the best way to ensure your petition is strong and avoid costly mistakes.
How Can I Get Citizenship for My Child or Loved One?
There are several pathways to securing legal status depending on your specific family story. At Foster + Bloom, we specialize in helping families understand their options under the most current laws.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000
If you are wondering how to apply for the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, this law allows certain children born abroad to acquire citizenship automatically. We assist families in filing the N-600 application to secure physical proof of citizenship for passports and school enrollment.
Derived and Acquired Citizenship
A derived citizenship lawyer can help determine if a child became a citizen through their parents’ naturalization. We also help parents navigate the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for children born to U.S. citizens overseas.
Family Sponsorship (I-130)
The journey often begins with an I-130 petition to help a relative immigrate. Whether for a spouse (IR1 visa) or a child, we provide the legal guidance necessary to establish the legal relationship and move toward a green card.
What Is SIJS and Who Qualifies?
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is a unique legal protection designed for children under the age of 21 who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect by one or both parents. This status provides a vital shield for vulnerable youth, offering a clear path toward permanent residency in the United States.
Getting this status is a two-fold process that begins in the local community. To qualify, you must first obtain a predicate order from a Florida family court. This order must legally confirm that reunification with the parent is not viable and that returning to the home country is not in the child’s best interest.
Once this court order is secured, we move forward with the USCIS petition. One of the primary benefits of SIJS immigration status is that it allows for a special immigrant juvenile status green card.
In light of current immigration laws and the recent 2025 updates, getting specialized legal guidance ensures you meet the precise standards required for a successful outcome.
Can an Attorney Help Me Understand Immigration Forms in Florida?
The legal landscape of immigration forms can be overwhelming, involving complex regulations and strict deadlines. We help you navigate this paperwork by explaining the requirements clearly and ensuring every detail of your I-130, N-600, I-485, or I-751 filing is accurate.
Our goal is to offer clarity and peace of mind by helping you avoid delays, denials, and confusing paperwork. Unlike simple form-filling services, we provide the legal insight needed to protect your family’s future and ensure your story is presented accurately to the authorities.
By getting professional legal support for your filings, you reduce the risk of receiving Requests for Evidence (RFEs) that can stall your progress. We handle the complexities so you can focus on the joy of building your family.
How Long Does the Immigration or Citizenship Process Take in Florida?
Timelines for these journeys vary based on the specific form type, current USCIS backlogs, and whether your case requires a predicate court order. For example, a standard naturalization can often move faster than a case involving complex family court findings.
While external delays are a reality, Foster + Bloom helps families move forward as efficiently as possible by ensuring every filing is decision-ready upon submission. We actively monitor backlogs and manage the state-level requirements for SIJS and other petitions to minimize waiting periods.
By staying proactive and providing clear, step-by-step guidance, we aim to reduce the stress of waiting. Our goal is to secure your family’s status with both professional skill and genuine care for your timeline.
Why Choose Foster + Bloom for Immigration and Citizenship Law?
Whether you are navigating the complexities of an international adoption or protecting a child’s future through specialized status, we bring a unique, dedicated perspective to your case.
- Expertise with Heart: With over 185 years of combined experience, we understand the emotional weight of your journey.
- Clarity in Complexity: We turn overwhelming jargon into a clear, step-by-step legal strategy.
- Modern Family Champions: We celebrate every path to parenthood, ensuring LGBTQ+ and blended families receive full protection.
- Florida Roots, National Strength: We understand the nuances of Florida family law essential for SIJS and international matters.
Families choose Foster + Bloom because we combine unmatched technical skill with clear, compassionate communication. You gain a partner who treats your family’s future with the gravity it deserves and handles the legal complexities so you don’t have to.