Does either of you have children from a prior relationship? Where do they live, and how often do you see them?

“Does either of you have children from a prior relationship? Where do they live, and how often do you see them?” is a practice question about family and children for a marriage-based green card interview at a USCIS field office. A real officer may ask it in other words, ask something else, or skip it. Practice can help you explain your own facts. It cannot tell you what USCIS will decide.

What is the officer checking with this question?

The officer may ask about children from earlier relationships to understand your household and ongoing family responsibilities. Residence and visit patterns can explain why a child is not always in the home. Questions about a stepparent's involvement may give context to ordinary married life without assuming a particular custody arrangement or level of contact.

What might the officer ask next?

• With whom does each child usually live?
• What does a usual visit schedule look like?
• Does your spouse help with school or other daily routines?
• When did you last spend time with the child?

The next question usually comes from the words in your answer. If you name a person, a place, or a month, expect a question about it. The guide to green card interview follow-up questions explains how to practice past the first answer.

How do you prepare to answer it?

Review which children the question refers to and where each normally lives. Describe actual visits rather than treating a planned schedule as proof that every visit happened. Be clear about what your spouse does in the child's routine, if anything. Say when you do not remember a visit date or cannot describe a detail firsthand. Ask your lawyer about concerns involving custody or information in your filed case rather than guessing about legal terms.

Answer from your own memory, in your own words. Do not learn a script or a sample answer. If your spouse remembers a detail differently, first check whether you mean the same event. Ask your lawyer about any concern with your forms or documents.

Can you practice this question out loud for free?

Yes. Choose "Answer it now, free". The officer asks this question first. You answer out loud, and the officer follows up on what you said. You can try 3 questions free, and you do not need documents. Feedback comes after the session, not while you speak.

More family and children questions

• What are your spouse's parents' names, and where do they live?
• Does your spouse have any siblings? Can you name them?
• Have you met your spouse's immediate family? When was the last visit or gathering?
• Do you and your spouse have any children together?
• What did you do together for the last major holiday?
• Have you discussed plans for children or family growth?

Read the family and children topic guide, or see all 91 interview questions.