Factsheet, Page 2

FILING AN ADOPTION PETITION WITH THE USCIS

The I-600A petition, which established the eligibility of the parents to adopt a child abroad, is generally filed with the BCIS in the U.S. The following documents are required:

  1. Fingerprints of petitioner (and spouse, if married);
  2. Home study documents from an authorized agency in the U.S. where the child will be adopted;
  3. Proof of petitioners' U.S. citizenship (passport or birth certificate);
  4. Evidence of financial support;
  5. Payment of the filing fee.

Once the child has been identified, the I-600 can be filed either with the domestic BCIS officer where the I-660A (if any) was filed, or the I-600 petition can be filed with the BCIS in New Delhi. The following documents are generally required for filing an I-600 petition:

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  1. Court order regarding legal custody of the child;
  2. Evidence that the child is an orphan;
  3. Birth certificate of the child;
  4. Two photographs of the child;
  5. Payment of required fees.

OBTAINING THE CHILD'S IMMIGRANT VISA

Once the petition has been approved by BCIS and forwarded to the consular section at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, the adopted child must apply for an immigrant visa. The child must appear in person, but there is no requirement that the adoptive parent(s) appear as well. Often someone from the child welfare agency will bring the child to the consular section for the visa and subsequently accompany the child to the U.S.


The following documents are generally required for issuance of an immigrant visa:

  1. A copy of the court order granting legal custody of the child;
  2. Medical examination of the child from one of the physicians on the Embassy or Consulate's panel;
  3. Child's birth certificate;
  4. Application fee and visa fee; rupee demand drafts (bank checks) are preferred, but cash or travelers checks in either dollars or the equivalent amount in rupees are accepted.
  5. Indian passport for the child.

AFTER THE CHILD ARRIVES IN THE U.S.

The actual adoption of the child will take place in the U.S., according to the laws of the state in which you are domiciled. Each state has its own laws governing adoption of children. Your stateside adoption agency or local child welfare bureau can help you with this final step.

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Credits: U.S. Department of State