Intercountry Adoption From Hague and Non-Hague Convention Countries: Applicable Forms
This information was taken directly from Child Welfare Information Gateway
Applicable Forms
Convention
- USCIS Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child From a Convention Country (http://www.uscis.gov/i-800a) This form is required and must be filed and approved by USCIS before a child is matched with a family. Its approval signifies that you have been approved as an adoptive parent.
- USCIS Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative (http://www.uscis.gov/i-800) This form is filed only after all consents for release of the child have been made by the child’s country and after the Central Authority in the child’s country determines that intercountry adoption is in the child’s best interest. Its approval signifies that you have been approved as adoptive parents for a specific child.
Non-Convention
- USCIS Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition (http://www.uscis.gov/i-600a). This optional form can be completed and filed before a specific child is identified. The approval of this form signifies you have been approved as adoptive parents.
- USCIS Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative (http://www.uscis.gov/i-600). This is a form that requires proof that the child is an orphan and fulfills other requirements necessary for the child to be permitted to immigrate to the United States. The approval of this form signifies your adoption of the child.
Return to International Adoption (Glossary)
Resource
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2014). Intercountry adoption from hague convention and non-hague convention countries. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
References
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2012). Finding and using postadoption services. Retrieved from https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_postadoption.cfm
Pinderhuges, E., Matthews, J., Deoudes, G., & Pertman, A. (2013). A changing world: Shaping best practices through understanding of the new realities of intercountry adoption. Retrieved from http://adoptioninstitute.org/publications/a-changing-world-shaping-best-practices-through-understanding-of-the-new-realities-of-intercountry-adoption/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. (2014). Re-homing of adopted children: responsibilities for states and opportunities in the provision of postadoption services. (ACYF-CB-IM-14-02). Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/im1402.pdf
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. (2013). Convention countries. Retrieved from http://adoption.state.gov/hague_convention/countries.php
Citations
1 For information on adoption disruption, refer to Information Gateway’s Adoption Disruption and Dissolution at https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/s_disrup.cfm
2 A third way to legally bring an adopted child to reside permanently in the United States is the immediate relative process. For more information, visit http://www.uscis.gov/adoption/immigration-through-adoption/other-adoption-related-immigration.