Applying for a Family/Spouse Visa with a US child

Hello, New to the forum and I've been searching though trying to find answers, to if this has already been answered, I apologize in advance.

I will be getting married late this summer to a UK citizen, I'm a US citizen. I will be applying immediately after the marriage for a visa along with my son who will be 15 at the time of the application. I can find very little on the process of applying with a child. Does anyone have any experience with this or advice? We want to make sure all our ducks are in a row before we submit the application.

Let me know if you need anymore details, your help is sooo greatly appreciated! 

The financial requirement is £22,400 for you and your child (your spouse to be needs to have this as a minimum annual salary, you'll pay two sets of application fees and NHS fees, and you need to prove you have sole custody of your son.  Otherwise, it's al the same.

Have you considered schooling?  I know you didn't ask but that will be an extraordinarily difficult age for a child to change systems.  Will you putting him into an American school?

Oh yes, the schooling has been a big source of concern for us. But we are going to be home schooling. There are many different programs that he can do to get either his HS diploma or the GSCE, (I think that is what it is, but I've likely got that wrong.) Then, I would arrange for him to attend meet ups with other home schooled kids.

My fiance does meet the income requirements for us both and can get the needed permission for us to live with him. He is currently in the Army and lives on camp.

In regards to sole custody, I do not have a custody agreement with his father. He is not really in the picture anymore and has some major mental health issues and since we were never married, a custody agreement has never been put into place. I had read somewhere online that a letter from the other parent giving consent on the move could be good enough. I am fairly sure I can get that with the help of my son's grandparents. Right now there is a protection order in place so no contact between the two of us is allowed. He is fully aware of my intentions to move and has spoken briefly to my son about it and really didn't seem to care much.

I was able to obtain a US passport with out his father's consent based on our circumstances and the fact that he is not allowed contact with me and hasn't been for well over a year now. In fact, he is likely going to be facing jail time due to a probation violation. (yes I know, I really knew how to pick them in the past.)
Do you know if a letter of consent will be enough? Again, thank you for your reply!

A letter from the father would certainly suffice (I'd have it notarized if you have one).

Home schooling would definitely be a great way to go as well. 

Thanks so much!!!!! I wasn't sure if that would be enough. But I certainly hope it will! This is a great forum and a wonderful source of information!

Yes we think home schooling would be best and my son is a very good self starter so I think he will do well and likely finish early!

Hello,

We are moving there at the end of the year.  I homeschool my son as well.  Although quite a bit younger than yours.  Where are you moving to in England.  I'm researching what areas are the most homeschool friendly. Would love to hear how things end up for you. I am a UK citizen(raised in the US) but my husband is a US citizen so we are doing the spouse visa process as well. 

From my wife, who is involved in home education groups (as they're called in the UK). (Your mileage may vary, may not apply to you in your current situation, etc.)

It changes from time to time, but currently Birmingham and Lancashire are quite good. Look for places that have enough people to keep the groups active.

If you need more info, she can find her favorite informative website and forum for you.

Domsmom we will be in Dorset. My soon to be husband is in the Army and stationed there.  I've looked at both UK and US based homeschooling programs and haven't made a definitive decision yet on which way to go. But I know he can sit for his exams if he decides to stay in the UK for University.

Thanks AV! My son will have a step brother close in age, so hopefully that will help with some socialization as well. But I will want to get him involved in some groups.