How to Adopt from Dominica Part 2

Roseau.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

This page is for step 6 of How to Adopt from Dominica. To learn about steps 1-5 please read How to Adopt from Dominica.

6. Bring Your Child Home

Now that your adoption is complete (or you have obtained legal custody of the child), there are a few more steps to take before you can head home. Specifically, you need to apply for several documents for your child before he/she can travel to the United States:

1 Birth Certificate

You will first need to apply for a new birth certificate for your child, so that you can later apply for a passport. Your name will be added to the new birth certificate.

2 Domina Passport

Your child is not yet a U.S. citizen, so he/she will need a travel document or Passport from Dominica.

3. U.S. Immigrant Visa

After you obtain the new birth certificate and passport for your child, you also need to apply for an U.S. visa from the United States Embassy for your child. After the adoption (or custody for purpose of adoption) is granted, visit the U.S. Embassy for final review and approval of the child's I-600 petition and to obtain a visa for the child. This immigrant visa allows your child to travel home with you. As part of this process, the Consular Officer must be provided the "Panel Physician's" medical report on the child if it was not provided during the provisional approval stage. Learn more.

NOTE: The United States does not have an embassy in Dominica. The U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados covers Dominica and processes immigrant visa cases for residents of Dominica. The Embassy requests that prospective adoptive parents contact them directly as soon as they have received their approved I-600A or I-600 from the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Upon receipt of the approved I-600A, I-600, telegraphic or faxed approval from the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Embassy will send the prospective adoptive parent (also known as the "petitioner") instructions on how to apply for the child's U.S. immigrant visa. Once the petitioner has completed several forms, the U.S. Embassy will schedule an appointment and mail the petitioner a letter confirming the appointment. The petitioner can also call the U.S. Embassy at 246-431-0225 and request an appointment to coincide with their visit to the island to complete the adoption. Appointments may also be requested via e-mail at: ConsularBridge2@state.gov.

At the time of the visa interview, the prospective adoptive parents must present the following documents:

1. The child's certified adoption certificate from Dominica;

2. Court documents;

3. Release documents from the biological parent(s), if any;

4. Child's valid passport from Dominica;

5. Four (4) full-face color photographs (2 x 2 on white background);

6. Medical examination (instructions will be given to the adoptive parents); and

7. Visa fee.

If the Embassy is not in possession of the approved I-600 petition or confirmation from USCIS, the petitioners must present a copy of their home study and evidence of support. If the petitioner has all the required documents and the applicant seems otherwise eligible under U.S. immigration law, the visa can be issued the day following the application.

Prospective adoptive parents should expect that they and their adoptive child will have to remain in Barbados for at least two days, as the visa process requires processing time.

Child Citizenship Act

For adoptions finalized abroad: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows your new child to acquire American citizenship automatically when he or she enters the United States as lawful permanent residents.

For adoptions finalized in the United States: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows your new child to acquire American citizenship automatically when the court in the United States issues the final adoption decree.

Please be aware that if your child did not qualify to become a citizen upon entry to the United States, it is very important that you take the steps necessary so that your child does qualify as soon as possible. Failure to obtain citizenship for your child can impact many areas of his/her life including family travel, eligibility for education and education grants, and voting.

Learn more about the Child Citizenship Act.

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