Should You File I-600A for Advanced Processing?

If you are a U.S. citizen who wishes to adopt a foreign child, but has not identified a specific child to adopt, one option is for you to file Form I-600A: Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, which is a required step for you to participate in the orphan adoption program.  Essentially, an orphan for purposes of the orphan adoption program is defined as:

• A foreign national child who does not reside in one of the countries that participate in the Hague Adoption Convention; and
• Who is either without any parents due to death, disappearance, or abandonment; or
• Who has only a sole or surviving parent who cannot provide for the child’s basic needs and has irrevocably released the child for adoption.

The Filing Process for Form I-600A

Form I-600A is used by prospective adoptive parents who want to adopt a child through the orphan adoption program, and who either want to start the process before having identified a child to adopt, or who are traveling abroad to select a child to adopt. Whether or not you have identified a child for adoption, or even the country from which you want to adopt, you can use Form I-600A to start the process of adopting a foreign orphan, and deal with some of the most time-consuming portions of the process. More specifically, Form I-600A focuses on the eligibility and suitability of prospective adoptive parents for adoption. In order to file Form I-600A, you must complete all requisite background checks, criminal history checks, and your home study, as well as submit any other required documents. 

After Filing Form I-600A

Once your Form I-600A has been filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and approved, you can then proceed with the adoption process by filing Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative. Having filed Form I-600A is particularly advantageous in the situation where you have not identified a specific orphan to adopt, and you wish to travel abroad in order to find an eligible orphan. Ultimately, filing Form I-600A in this situation, before you travel abroad, can help expedite the orphan adoption process. Otherwise, the orphan must wait overseas while you complete the home study and related processes, which can often be the most time-consuming activities in a foreign adoption.

Getting Legal Help

Adopting a foreign orphan can be a complicated and time-consuming endeavor. Therefore, it is wise to consult with an immigration attorney who specializes in foreign adoptions before participating in the orphan adoption program.