How To Adopt a Foreign Child if You're an American

Here's How:

1. Before you even chose a child, file the I-600A form, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition. This way the USCIS (former INS) can determine if you are suitable, in their view, for adopting an orphan.
2. Find a child who meets the INA's definition of an orphan.
3. File the USCIS Form I-600 (Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, previously INS Form I-600). Each adult member of your family must be fingerprinted.
4. Wait until the Orphan Petition is approved.
5. After approval the orphan is considered an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, and you can get an immigrant visa right away.
6. Bring your new child into the United States. After entry, the child is considered a lawful permanent resident.
7. It is a good idea to apply for citizenship for the child before he or she is 18 and must file on his or her own. File USCIS Form N-643 (formerly INS Form N-643), Application for Certificate of Citizenship on Behalf of an adopted child.

Tips:

1. While waiting for the approval for the orphan petition, check the status of your application. Find the link below.
2. Adopted foreign children can often have adjustment issues that should not just be swept under the carpet. Acknowledge the child's ethnic background, provide therapy, find resources at our adoption site.