Forms Required by Homeland Security « A Child's Hope International

The U.S. government office of Homeland Security has jurisdiction in matters of international adoption and immigration into the U.S.

The specific branch of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for:

Determining the eligibility and suitability of the prospective adoptive parents (individuals) looking to adopt.
Determining the eligibility of the child to immigrate to the United States

Your adoption agency will assist you with the specific forms you will need AND the approval process that must be completed with USCIS available on the USCIS web site.

The following steps are typical (but not always) of the adoption and immigration process:

Steps in the Process of International Adoption

Choose a Hague Accredited Adoption Service Provider. (ASP)
In some cases, an immigration attorney may be recommended but this is not the norm.
Obtain a home study from a licensed social worker authorized to complete a Hague adoption home study.
Apply to USCIS before adopting a child (or accepting a placement) for their determination that the child is eligible for intercountry adoption.
Once USCIS approves the application, work with the adoption service provider to obtain a proposed adoption placement.
File a “petition” with USCIS, before adopting the child, to have the child approved for immigration to the United States.
Travel to the country where the child is legally represented.
Adopt the child, or obtain custody of the child in order to adopt and bring the child into the United States.
Obtain an immigrant visa for the child.
Bring the child to the United States for admission with the visa.

Working with the USCIS

Working and communicating with the USCIS offices are a normal and expected part of the adoption process. Although the process can appear daunting and confusing, it can be done especially if you can get help from your ASP or friend that has adopted previously.

The USCIS forms listed below are the ones most commonly required or needed for your adoption plans.

Title	Form Number	Filing Fee	Edition
Return of Original Documents	G-884	$0	12/12/11. Previous editions accepted.
E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance	G-1145	$0	05/25/11. Previous editions accepted.

			Note on Expiration: USCIS continues to accept the 05/25/11 edition of Form G-1145 available here despite the passing of the form's expiration date. An updated form will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative	I-600	The filing fee for Form I-600 is $720. - There is no fee is you are filing based on an approved Form I-600A filed within the previous 18 months. - A biometric services fee of $85 is required for each adult age 18 or older living in the household where the child will reside unless previous fingerprint clearances are still valid or the individuals are eligible for a one-time, no-fee re-fingerprinting. Residents living abroad are exempt from USCIS biometric services fees. - A petitioner filing multiple petitions for orphans who are siblings must pay one set of petition and biometric services fees, if applicable. - A petitioner filing multiple petitions for orphans who are not siblings, must pay the form filing fees for each additional petition; however, only one set of biometric services fees is due if required.	01/12/11; (11/23/10; 12/30/09 editions also accepted)
Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition	I-600A	The filing fee for Form I-600A is $720. An additional biometric services fee of $85 is required for every adult age 18 or older living in the household where the child will reside. Residents living abroad are exempt from USCIS biometric services fees.	01/12/11; (11/23/10; 12/30/09 editions also accepted)
Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility	I-601	$585	06/04/12; (06/08/11, 11/23/10 and 01/06/10 edition also accepted).
Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative	I-800	No fee is required for the first Form I-800 filed for a child on the basis of an approved Form I-800A. If more than one Form I-800 is filed during the approval period for different children, the fee is $720 for the second and each subsequent Form I-800. However, if the children are siblings before the proposed adoption, no additional filing fee is required.	06/01/11; (11/23/10; 04/16/09; 09/10/09; 02/25/08 editions also accepted)
Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country	I-800A	$720. (An $85 fee for biometrics is required for the applicant - and spouse, if any. Additionally, an $85 fee for biometrics is required for each person 18 years of age or older who is living with the applicant. See form instructions for additional details.)	11/23/10; (04/16/09; 09/10/09; 02/25/08 editions also accepted)
Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition	I-824	$405	11/23/10; (07/20/10;12/11/09; 09/09/09; 08/25/08 editions also accepted)

			Note on Expiration: USCIS continues to accept the 11/23/10 edition of Form I-824 available here despite the passing of the form's expiration date. An updated form will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act	I-864	Although USCIS does not charge a fee for this form, the Department of State does charge a fee when the Affidavit of Support is reviewed domestically. This does not apply when the Affidavit of Support is filed abroad.	09/19/11. Previous editions accepted.
Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member	I-864A	$0	09/19/11. Previous editions accepted.
Poverty Guidelines	I-864P	$0	03/01/12. Previous editions should not be used.
Intending Immigrant's Affidavit of Support Exemption	I-864W	Although USCIS does not charge a fee for this form, the Department of State does charge a fee when the Affidavit of Support is reviewed domestically. This does not apply when the Affidavit of Support is filed abroad.	09/19/11. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Certificate of Citizenship	N-600	$600 ($550 if filing for an adopted child, see form instructions for more. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and veterans should also review form instructions, as fees may not apply.)	10/30/11. Previous editions not accepted.

			Note on Expiration: USCIS continues to accept the 10/30/11 edition of Form N-600 available here despite the passing of the form's expiration date. An updated form will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322	N-600K	$600. ($550 if filing for an adopted child, see form instructions for additional information.)	02/05/12. (08/01/11 also accepted.)