Adoption Immigration Forms
The names of forms that prospective adoptive parents fill out during an adoption can create confusion! The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services requires several documents through out the adoption process. The adoption agency that prospective parents are working with will provide assistance with filling out and filing these documents. However, it is important to know the purpose of each document.
I-600: Petition to Classify an Orphan as an Immediate Relative
Purpose: This document is a petition that is filed by a U.S. citizen who is adopting a child or children. This is a petition to classify an orphan who is or will be adopted by a U.S citizen as an immediate relative. This form will allow the child to enter into the United States.
Length: This petition is currently six pages in length.
Edition Date: The most recent 1-600 was published on 10/26/05. Prior versions are accepted, however, obtaining the most recent edition is recommended.
Where to File: United States citizen should file this petition with the local USCIS office that has jurisdiction over the petitioner’s place of residence. If a U.S citizen is residing outside of the United States this petition may be filed at the nearest American consulate or embassy.
Cost: There is a filing fee of $545.00 for this petition. In addition, to this fee a $70.00 charge for biometrics is required per person in the household. If a fee was paid when prospective parent filed an I-600A the fee is NOT required again.
If more than one petition is being submitted, for a petitioner who is adopting siblings, only one fee is required for the petitions and fingerprints. If the orphans are not siblings then there are separate fees for both fingerprinting and the petition.
The I-600 may be downloaded off of the USCIS website or by clicking:
Download I-600 (171KB PDF)
I-600A: Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition
Purpose: USCIS uses this form to adjudicate the qualifications of the applicant or applicants as the prospective adoptive parents. A benefit of filing this form is that it may speed up the part of the processing relating to the qualifications of the prospective adoptive parent or parents.
Length: This form is currently six pages in length.
Edition Date: The most recent edition of this form was created on 10/25/06. Prior versions are accepted, however, obtaining the most recent form is recommended.
Where to File: United States citizen should file this petition with the local USCIS office that has jurisdiction over the petitioner’s place of residence. If a U.S citizen is residing outside of the United States this petition may be filed at the nearest American consulate or embassy.
Cost: There is a filing fee of $545.00 for this form. In addition, to this fee a $70.00 charge for biometrics is required per person in the household age 18 or older. This fee is not required for the I-600 if it has been paid with the I-600A.
If more than one petition is being submitted, for a petitioner who is adopting siblings, only one fee is required for the petitions and fingerprints. If the orphans are not siblings then there are separate fees for both fingerprinting and the petition.
The I-600A may be downloaded off of the USCIS website or by clicking:
Download I-600A (146KB PDF)
I-171: Notice of Approval of Relative Immigrant Visa Petition
This form is sent to prospective adoptive parents upon approval from USCIS. This form is issued after approval of either the I-600A or the I-600 and declares an adoptive parent to be able to care properly for a child, whether the child is a legal orphan, and determines that all other legal requirements have been met. Many adoption agencies and home study agencies require that this form be on file with them. Upon receiving this form prospective parents should contact their adoption agency and inform them.
I-824: Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition
Purpose: This form is used to request a duplicate approval notice, to request an approval notice to another U.S. consulate, and to request notice to a U.S. consulate for derivative visas to family members.
Length: Currently, this form is two pages in length.
Edition Date: The most recent I-824 was released on 10/26/05. Although prior versions are accepted it is recommended that the most recent form is filed.
Where to File: This form should be filed with the same USCIS office that approved the original application or petition.
Filing Fee: There is a fee of $200 to file this form.
This form may be obtained by going to the USCIS website or by clicking here:
Download I-824 (789KB PDF)
The USCIS website is user friendly and provides a large amount of up to date information regarding the immigration process and requirements necessary for an international adoption. In addition to the website USCIS has created an Adoption Book that is a useful tool for prospective adoptive parents. This resource may be found on the USCIS website:
