If you are adopting internationally and have completed your home study investigation report..
You are now ready to file your I-800A or I-600A with the USCIS depending upon whether you are adopting from a Convention or Non-Convention country.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind, before you move on..
Some placement agencies (Primary Provider) will help you prepare this paperwork, while others will make it your responsibility.
When working with a foreign government, duplication and redundancy in paperwork is going to be a given. Accepting this condition will make the process less of a hassle.
Okay, let's continue!
What is needed for the I-800A/I-600A process and how long does it take? Here is an overview of the process:
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I-800A (Convention Country) |
I- 600A (Non-Convention Country) |
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Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country |
Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition
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To receive approval of your CIS petition for pre-approval, your I-800A or I-600A application must be accompanied by the following paperwork (copies only; do not send original documents):
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Also include payment for the following fees:Effective December 23, 2016, your I-800A or I-600A application to Citizenship and Immigration Services Office must be accompanied by a money order or certified check for the application fee of $775 plus $85 for FBI fingerprints for each adult in the home (all persons 18 years or older). Thus the total cost of the application and fingerprints for a couple is $945 and for a single person is $860. Please know that Citizenship and Immigration Service can change these fees. Prior to submitting your I-800A or I-600A it is highly recommended that you confirm the current fees by visiting www.uscis.gov.
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A Special Note Regarding Petition: It does not matter which spouse is the petitioner on the I-800A or I-600A unless 1) only one spouse intends to travel; the traveler must be the petitioner or 2) if one spouse is not a citizen; the citizen must be the petitioner.
What happens after you submit your I-800A or I-600A?
2 weeks after filing your I-800A or I-600A application you will get a receipt showing that your application has been accepted by USCIS. E-Notification: If you want to receive an e-mail and/or text message that your Form I-800A or I-600A has been accepted at a USCIS Lockbox facility, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance and clip it to the first page of your application. G-1145 can be downloaded through the following link: www.uscis/sites/default/files/form/g-1145.pdf
4 to 6 weeks after filing your application you will receive notice of an appointment to get your fingerprinting done for USCIS.
Approximately 75 days after filing you will receive notice from Citizenship and Immigration Services Office as to approval of your application. If you have been approved you will receive a “Notice of Favorable Determination Concerning Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition”. This approval provides you with permission to adopt a foreign born orphan and immigrate the child to into the United States.
Things that may happen: In some cases there may be missing information in the home study or in the documents that you submitted with your application. If this happens you will receive a “Request for Evidence” letter and there will be specific information that will need to be submitted. The letter will clearly state what needs to be done to correct the situation and when it has to be done by. In some cases there can also be a “Notice of Intent to Deny” letter when there are major problems and complications with your application and supporting documents. This letter will also tell you clearly what the issues are and if there is a method of correcting it.
Once you receive your “Notice of Favorable Determination Concerning Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition” either Form I-171H (I600A process), or “Notice of Action”, Form I-797 (I800A process).This approval provides you with permission to adopt a foreign born orphan and immigrate the child to into the United States. Your I-800A approval is valid for 15 months from the date of completion of advance processing. Your I-600A approval is valid for 18 months from the date of completion of advance processing. You need the CIS approval for all international dossiers. Most international adoption placement agencies and countries require a CIS approval to be submitted with the dossier (foreign adoption application).
Look for the next blog for a discussion of the dossier process and how to complete it.
Family Connections is a New York State authorized child placing agency that has achieved Hague Accreditation through the Council on Accreditation. Family Connections provide home study, post placement/post adoption supervision and adoption services. If you are interested in learning more about your adoption options you can contact our staff at 607-756-6574 or by clicking on the link below.
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