United States · Immigration54
Qualifying Stepchild or Stepparent Immigration
Step-relationships created by a marriage before the child turned 18 count as parent-child relationships for immigration, in both directions.
Currently available · Editorial record dated 10/20/2026 · Not lawyer review or an eligibility decision. Check current official instructions.
Who this is for
Stepchildren of U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and stepparents of U.S. citizens aged 21+.
Common problems
The age-18 rule
A step-relationship created by a marriage after the child’s 18th birthday does not count for immigration.