Advance Processing of Orphan Petitions (I-600/600A)

U.S. citizens contemplating an international adoption should become familiar with the information provided by the Department of State on International Adoptions; and in particular information concerning Hague Adoption Convention. For non Hague Adoptions, the following guidelines are provided:

Adopted Children under the Hague Convention - Transition Cases

Under section 505 of the Inter Country Adoption Act, U.S. law does not require adoptive parents to follow Convention procedures to adopt a child from a Convention country, if the Form I-600A or Form I-600 was filed before the Convention entered into force. If USCIS extends the approval of the Form I-600A that was filed before the Convention enters into force, the prospective adoptive parent(s) will be able to file a Form I-600 in behalf of a child from a Convention country, after the Convention enters into force, so long as it is filed before the approval, or extension of approval, of Form I-600A expires.

Section 505, however, is not binding on another Convention country. Although U.S. law may permit you to continue to use the orphan process, because you filed a Form I-600A or Form I-600 before the Convention entered into force, the other Convention country may have its own rules on how to handle these transition cases. If, under the other Convention country's law, you must follow the Convention process, then you may not be able to adopt a child from that country, unless you do so.

UK Residency Requirement

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the U.S. Embassy in London accepts I-600A applications by mail or appointment basis from U.S. citizens who reside in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland. We require evidence in the form of a photocopy of the leave to remain stamp in the petitioner's passport (must also include a photocopy of the photo page of U.S. passport) or a letter from the Home Office confirming the petitioner's status in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland; or a copy of the petitioner's orders if he/she is a member of the U.S. military stationed in the United Kingdom.

Forms

• Form I-600
• Form I-600A
• Credit Card Payment Form

Supporting Documentation to submit with your Petition

• Very Important -Do not send original documents with the petition! Photocopies are acceptable.



• Official Translations:   Any supporting documentation that you provide that is in a language other than English must be accompanied by a complete English translation. The translation must be completed by an independent party. The party providing the translation must note that his/her work is accurate and that he/she is competent to translate. The full name of the translator, address and contact information is also required.



• Proof of United States Citizenship:  Any supporting documentation that you provide that is in a language other than English must be accompanied by a complete English translation. The translation must be completed by an independent party. The party providing the translation must note that his/her work is accurate and that he/she is competent to translate. The full name of the translator, address and contact information is also required.



• Marriage Certificate:  Provide a marriage certificate issued by a public authority to show that a public record exists of the marriage between you and your spouse (if applicable).



• Divorce Decree(s) or Death Certificate(s):   Provide a death certificate or divorce decree (absolute or final) issued by a public authority to show that a public record exists of the death or of the termination of all prior marriage(s) for both you and your spouse.



• Record of Name Change:  If either you or your spouse is using a name other than that shown on the relevant documents, you must provide legal documentation that effected the change; e.g., marriage certificate, adoption decree, court order or within the UK, a Statutory Declaration of 1835.



• Fingerprint Cards (FD-258):   Two (2) fingerprint cards ARE required of all adults (age 18 or over) residing in the household. This office can take the required fingerprints but you will need to make an appointment by telephoning the Customer Service Call Center on 09042-450045. There is a charge of £1.20 for that call. If you are in the U.S. military, you may have your fingerprints taken by an authorized U.S. military authority.



• Home Study:  The Home Study should be submitted with the application, however, if the Home Study is not submitted when the I-600A is filed, it must be submitted within one year of the filing of the advanced processing application, or the application will be denied. Some specific requirements on the Home Study:



• Copies: Only one copy of the Home Study must be submitted.
• Age of Home Study:The Home Study, or the most recent update to the home study, must not be more than six months old at the time the home study is submitted.
• Checking Available Child Abuse Registries: : These checks must come from both the United States and the U.K., as appropriate, as most prospective adoptive parents have lived in both countries. In the U.K. this requirement can be met by obtaining an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau's Disclosure Service. . Please note that the Disclosure Application must be submitted to any Registered (Umbrella) Bodies in the UK for review before it can be forwarded to the Criminal Records Bureau for the appropriate checks. If you are residing in Scotland, you will need to obtain the disclosure from the Scotland Disclosure Service.
• Home Study Preparer's Certification and Statement of Authority to conduct home studies:  The home study must include a statement in which the home study preparer certifies that he or she is licensed or otherwise authorized by the State of the orphan's proposed residence to research and prepare home studies. In the case of an orphan whose adoption was finalized abroad and whose adoptive parents reside abroad, the home study preparer must certify that he or she is licensed or otherwise authorized to conduct home studies under the law of any State of the United States, or authorized by the adoption authorities of the foreign country to conduct home studies under the laws of the foreign country. In every case, this statement must cite the State or country under whose authority the home study preparer is licensed or authorized, the specific law or regulation authorizing the preparer to conduct home studies, the license number, if any, and the expiration date, if any, of this authorization or license.
• Adoption Agency Review of Home Study : : If the prospective adoptive parents reside in a State which requires the State to review the home study, such a review must occur and be documented before the home study is submitted to the Service. If the prospective adoptive parents reside abroad, an appropriate public or private adoption agency licensed, or otherwise authorized, by any State of the United States to place children for adoption, must review and favorably recommend the home study before it is submitted to the Service.



• Fee:The fee for each I-600A petition you file is $670.00. Do not mail cash or personal checks. The U.S. $670.00 fee must be in the following forms and made out to: "U.S. DISBURSING OFFICER".



• U.S. Cashier's Check;.
• U.S. Dollar Money Order;.
• International Bank Draft; OR.
• By credit card by downloading the Credit Card Payment form.

Mailing Address

Please send your petitions to:

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