Adoption

Initial Adoption Requirements

The immigration process begins by filing Form I-600A "Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition" with a local bureau of the Department of Homeland Security, Citizen and Immigration Services. If approved, a parent will have general permission to pursue adoption of a child from every country the U.S. government permits adoptions.

For detailed information regarding the Citizen and Immigration Services' I-600A petition process, click here and their booklet titled The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children.

The I-600A requires a background and criminal check.
A homes study serves as an adoptive parent's background check. If parents live in the United States, either (1) an individual/agency licensed to perform home studies in the States must complete the home study or (2) if someone unlicensed in the United States or licensed in a foreign country performs the study, a U.S. licensed agency must review and certify the study.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation performs the criminal check (a fingerprint check) Adoption agencies and Citizen and Immigration Services offices have more details. Click here to see Citizen and Immigration Services' fingerprinting process page.

Approval (I-171H)
Once Citizen and Immigration Services approves a petition, they will notify a parent by sending Form I-171h, "Notice of Favorable Determination Concerning Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition" (U.S. Consulate Guangzhou, Adopted Child Immigration Visa Unit does not receive the I-171h). The I-171h or "advance processing approval" is valid for 18 months. The fingerprint checks are valid for 15 months. While most adoptions are completed within 15 months, a potential parent will want to keep track of all expiration dates of every form.

To see phase II, please click here.