USCIS

United States Citizenship and Immigration Service

On March 1, 2003, service and benefit functions of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) transitioned into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as USCIS.

USCIS is a government agency comprised of 15,000 federal employees and contractors working in approximately 250 Headquarters and field offices around the world.

Working with the USCIS is a vital and major part of your adoption process. The USCIS is the governmental agency that is responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities. Or, in simpler terms, granting the adoption approval within the United States.

USCIS Approval

The first step in gaining USCIS approval to adopt a foreign born child begins with:

• Filing the I-600A, Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition (Non-Hague Convention Countries)

or

• Filing the I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country (Hague Convention Countries)

Along with:

• All appropriate supporting documents.

Because of the information included with this filing, it is recommended prior to filing that you choose the agency you are going to work with (unless adopting independently), as well as, the country from which you would like to adopt.

Once the USCIS has granted your approval, you will be mailed your form I-171H. This is the approval notification needed to proceed with your adoption and file for your child(ren)’s Visa(s).

Visit the USCIS website to download forms and find up-to-date information on filing fees.