Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative and Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition

OMB No. 1615-0028; Expires 08/31/08

Instructions for I-600, Petition to Classify
Orphan as an Immediate Relative

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Instructions
Please read these instructions carefully to properly complete this form. If you need more space to complete an answer, use a
separate sheet(s) of paper. Write your name and Alien Registration Number (A #), if any, at the top of each sheet of paper
and indicate the part and number of the item to which the answer refers.

What Is the Purpose of This Form?
To classify an alien orphan who either is, or will be, adopted
by a U.S. citizen as an immediate relative of the U.S. citizen
to allow the child to enter the U.S. The petition is filed by the
U.S. citizen who is adopting the child.

Who May File This Form I-600?
1. Eligibility.
A. Child.
Under immigration law, an orphan is an alien child
who has no parents because of the death or
disappearance of abandonment or desertion by, or
separation or loss from both parents.
An orphan is also an alien child who has only one
parent who is not capable of taking care of the orphan
and who has in writing irrevocably released the alien
for emigration and adoption.
A petition to classify an alien as an orphan may not be
filed on behalf of a child in the United States, unless
that child is in parole status and has not been adopted
in the United States.
The petition must be filed before the child's 16th
birthday.
B. Parent(s).
The petition may be filed by a married U.S. citizen and
spouse or unmarried U.S. citizen at least 25 years of
age. The spouse does not need to be a U.S. citizen, but
must be in lawful immigration status.
C. Adoption abroad.
If the orphan was adopted abroad, it must be
established that both the married petitioner and spouse
or the unmarried petitioner personally saw and
observed the child prior to or during the adoption
proceedings. The adoption decree must show that a
married petitioner and spouse adopted the child jointly
or that an unmarried petitioner was at least 25 years of
age at the time of the adoption.

D. Proxy adoption abroad.
If both the petitioner and spouse or the unmarried
petitioner did not personally see and observe the child
prior to or during the adoption proceedings abroad,
the petitioner (and spouse, if married) must submit a
statement indicating the petitioner's (and, if married,
the spouse's) willingness and intent to readopt the child
in the United States.
If requested by USCIS, the petitioner must submit a
statement by an official of the State in which the child
will reside that readoption is permissible in that State
In addition, evidence of compliance with the
preadoption requirements, if any, of that State must be
submitted.
E. Preadoption requirements.
If the orphan has not been adopted abroad, the
petitioner and spouse or the unmarried petitioner must
establish that:
1. The child will be adopted in the United States by the
petitioner and spouse jointly or by the unmarried
petitioner, and that
2. The preadoption requirements, if any, of the State of
the orphan's proposed residence have been met.

2. Filing Petition for Known Child.
An orphan petition for a child who has been identified
must be submitted on a completed Form I-600 with the
certification of the petitioner executed and required fee. If
the petitioner is married, the Form I-600 must also be
signed by the petitioner's spouse.
The petition must be accompanied by the following:
A. Proof of U.S. citizenship of the petitioner.
If a U.S. citizen by birth in the United States, submit a
copy of the birth certificate, issued by the civil
registrar, vital statistics office or other civil authority.
If a birth certificate is not available, submit a statement
from the appropriate civil authority certifying that a
birth certificate is not available. In such a situation,
secondary evidence must be submitted, including:
1. Church records bearing the seal of the church
showing the baptism, dedication or comparable rite
Form I-600 Instructions (Rev. 07/30/07) Y

occurred within two months after birth and showing
the date and place of the petitioner's birth, date of
the religious ceremony and the names of the parents;
2. School records issued by the authority (preferably
the first school attended) showing the date of
admission to the school, the petitioner's birth date
or age at the time, the place of birth and the names
of the parents;
3. Census records (state or federal) showing the
name, place of birth, date of birth or age of the
petitioner listed;
4. Affidavits. If a required document cannot be
obtained, you must submit either an original written
statement from the governmental agency that
should have the record, verifying that the record
does not exist or a citation to the Department of
State Foreign Affairs Manual indicating that such
records are generally not available. Only then may
you submit written affidavits sworn to or affirmed
by two persons who were living at the time and
who have personal knowledge of the event. Each
affidavit must contain the affiant's full name,
address, date and place of birth, and signature. The
affidavit must also explain the affiant's relationship
to you, full information concerning event and
complete details of how the affiant acquired the
information.
5. An unexpired U.S. passport, initially issued for ten
years may also be submitted as proof of U.S.
Citizenship.
If the petitioner was born outside the United States,
submit a copy of one of the following:
1. Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of
Citizenship issued by the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) or former
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS);
2. Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen
of the United States, issued by an American
embassy;
3. An unexpired U.S. passport initially issued for ten
years; or
4. An original statement from a U.S. consular officer
verifying the applicant's U.S. citizenship with a
valid passport.

NOTE: Proof of the lawful immigration status of the
petitioner's spouse, if applicable, must be submitted. If
the spouse is not a U.S. citizen, proof of the spouse's
lawful immigration status, such as Form I-551,
Permanent Resident Card; Form I-94, ArrivalDeparture Record; or a copy of the biographic pages of
the spouse's passport and the nonimmigrant visa pages
showing an admission stamp may be submitted.
B. Proof of marriage of petitioner and spouse.
The married petitioner must submit a copy of the
certificate of marriage and proof of termination of all
prior marriages of himself or herself and spouse. In
the case of an unmarried petitioner who was previously
married, submit proof of termination of all prior
marriages.
NOTE: If any change occurs in the petitioner's marital
status while the case is pending, immediately notify
the USCIS office where the petition was filed.
C. Proof of age of orphan.
The petitioner should submit a copy of the orphan's
birth certificate if obtainable; if not obtainable, submit
an explanation together with the best available
evidence of birth.
D. Copies of the death certificate(s) of the child's
parent (s) if applicable.
E. A certified copy of adoption decree together with
certified translation, if the orphan has been lawfully
adopted abroad.
F. Evidence that the sole or surviving parent is
incapable of providing for the orphan's care and has
in writing irrevocably released the orphan for
immigration and adoption, if the orphan has only one
parent.
G. Evidence that the orphan has been unconditionally
abandoned to an orphanage, if the orphan has been
placed in an orphanage by his or her parent or parents.
H. Evidence that the preadoption requirements, if any
of the state of the orphan's proposed residence have
been met, if the child is to be adopted in the United
States.

Form I-600 Instructions (Rev. 07/30/07) Y Page 2

If is not possible to submit this evidence upon initial filing
of the petition under the laws of the State of proposed
residence, it may be submitted later. The petition,
however, will not be approved without it.
I. Home Study.
The home study must include a statement or
attachment recommending or approving the adoption
or proposed adoption and be signed by an official of
the responsible State agency in the State of the
proposed residence or of an agency authorized by that
State. In the case of a child adopted abroad, the
statement or attachment must be signed by an official
of an appropriate public or private adoption agency that
is licensed in the United States.
The home study must be prepared by an entity
(individual or organization) licensed or otherwise
authorized under the law of the State of the orphan's
proposed residence to conduct research and preparation
for a home study, including the required personal
interviews.

NOTE: Having committed any crime of moral
turpitude or a drug-related offense does not
necessarily mean that a petitioner or petitioner's
spouse will be found ineligible to adopt an orphan.
However, failure to disclose such information may
result in denial of this application and/or any
subsequent petition for an orphan.
2. An assessment of the financial ability of the
petitioner and petitioner's spouse, if applicable.
3. A detailed description of the living
accommodations where the petitioner and
petitioner's spouse currently reside(s).
4. If the petitioner and petitioner's spouse are residing
abroad at the time of the home study, a description
of the living accommodations where the child will
reside in the United States with the petitioner and
petitioner's spouse, if known.
5. An assessment of the physical, mental and
emotional capabilities of the petitioner and
petitioner's spouse in relation to rearing and
educating the child.

If the recommending entity is licensed, the
recommendation must state that it is licensed, where it
is licensed, its license number, if any, and the period of
validity of the license.

Filing Petition for Known Child Without Full
Documentation on Child or Home Study.

However, the research, including the interview and the
preparation of the home study, may be done by an
individual or group in the United States or abroad that
is satisfactory to the recommending entity.

When a child has been identified but the documentary
evidence relating to the child or the home study is not yet
available, an orphan petition may be filed without that
evidence or home study.

A responsible State agency or licensed agency may
accept a home study made by an unlicensed or foreign
agency and use that home study as a basis for a
favorable recommendation.

The evidence outlined in Instructions 2A and 2B (Proof of
U.S. citizenship of the petitioner and Documentation of
marriage of petitioner and spouse), however, must be
submitted.

The home study must provide an assessment of the
capabilities of the prospective adoptive parent(s) to
properly parent the orphan and must include a
discussion of the following areas:

If the necessary evidence relating to the child or the home
study is not submitted within one year from the date of
submission of the petition, the petition will be considered
abandoned and the fee will not be refunded. Any further
proceeding will require the filing of a new petition.

1. An explanation regarding any history of abuse or
violence or any complaints, charges, citations,
arrests, convictions, prison terms, pardons
rehabilitation decrees for breaking or violating any
law or ordinance by the petitioner(s) or any
additional adult member of the household over age
18.

Translations. Any document containing foreign language

submitted to the Service shall be accompanied by a full
English language translation which the translator has certified
as complete and accurate, and by the translator's certification
that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign
language into English.

Form I-600 Instructions (Rev. 07/30/07) Y Page 3

Copies. Unless specifically required that an original

document be filed with an application or petition, an ordinary
legible photocopy may be submitted. Original documents
submitted when not required will remain a part of the record,
even if the submission was not required.

General Instructions.
1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
2. If extra space is needed to complete any item, attach
a continuation sheet, indicate the item number, and
date and sign each sheet.

Where To File?
A petitioner residing in the United States should send the
completed petition to the USCIS office having jurisdiction
over his or her place of residence. A petitioner residing
outside the United States should consult the nearest American
embassy or consulate designated to act on the petition.

Biometrics Services.
As part of the USCIS biometric services requirements, the
following persons must be fingerprinted in connection with
this petition:
1. The petitioner and petitioner's spouse, if applicable, and
2. Each additional adult member the petitioner's household,
18 years of age or older. NOTE: Submit a copy of the
birth certificate of each household member over 18.
If necessary, USCIS may also take a photograph and signature
of those named above as part of the biometric services.
Petitioners residing in the United States. After filing this
petition, USCIS will notify each person in writing of the time
and location where they must go to be fingerprinted. Failure
to appear to be fingerprinted or for other biometric services
may result in denial of the petition.
Petitioners residing abroad. Completed fingerprint cards
(Forms FD-258) must be submitted with the petition. Do not,
bend, fold or crease completed fingerprint cards. Fingerprint
cards must be prepared by a U.S. embassy or consulate,
USCIS office or military installation.

What Is the Filing Fee?
A fee of $670.00 must be submitted for filing this petition.
However, a fee is not required for this petition if you filed an
advance processing application (Form I-600A) within the
previous 18 months and it was approved or is still pending.
In addition to the fee for the application, there is a $80.00
biometric services fee for fingerprinting every adult person
living in the household in the United States where the child
will reside.
For example, if a petition is filed by a married people residing
in the United States with one additional adult member in their
household, the total fee that must be submitted would be
$910.00 ($670.00 for the petition and $240.00 for biometric
services for fingerprinting the three adults).
NOTE: If the prospective adoptive parents and any other
adult members of the household reside abroad at the time of
filing, they are exempt from paying the USCIS biometric
services fee. However, they may have to pay the
fingerprinting fee charged by the U.S. consular office or
military installation.
When more than one petition is submitted by the same
petitioner on behalf of orphans who are siblings, only one
Form I-600 petition and fee for biometric services is required,
unless re-fingerprinting is ordered. If the orphans are not
siblings, a separate filing fee must be submitted for each
additional Form I-600 petition.
The fee will not be refunded, whether the petition is approved
or not. Do not mail cash. All checks or money orders,
whether U.S. or foreign, must be payable in U.S. currency at a
financial institution in the United States. When a check is
drawn on the account of a person other than yourself, write
your name on the face of the check. If the check is not
honored, USCIS will charge you $30.00.
Pay by check or money order in the exact amount. Make the
check or money order payable to the Department of
Homeland Security, unless:
A. You live in Guam, make the check or money order payable
to the "Treasurer, Guam" or ;
B. You live in the U.S. Virgin Islands, make your check or
money order payable to the "Commissioner of Finance of
the Virgin Islands."

Form I-600 Instructions (Rev. 07/30/07) Y Page 4

How to Check If the Fees Are Correct.
The form and biometric fees on this form are current as of the
edition date appearing in the lower right corner of this page.
However, because USCIS fees change periodically, you can
verify if the fees are correct by following one of the steps
below:
1. Visit our website at www.uscis.gov, select "Immigration
Forms" and check the appropriate fee;
2. Review the Fee Schedule included in your form package, if
you called us to request the form; or
3. Telephone our National Customer Service Center at
1-800-375-5283 and ask for the fee information.
NOTE: If your Form I-600 requires payment of a biometric
service fee for USCIS to take your fingerprints, photograph or
signature, you can use the same procedure to obtain the correct
biometric fee.

Address Changes.
If you change your address and you have an application or
petition pending with USCIS, you may change your address
on-line at www.uscis.gov, click on "Change your address with
USCIS" and follow the prompts or by completing and mailing
Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card, to:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Change of Address
P.O. Box 7134
London, KY 40742-7134
For commercial overnight or fast freight services only, mail
to:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Change of Address
1084-I South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744

Processing Information.
Submitting Advance Processing Application for
Orphan Child Not Yet Identified.
A prospective petitioner may request advance processing
when the child has not been identified or when the prospective
petitioner and/or spouse is or are going abroad to locate or
adopt a child.

If unmarried, the prospective petitioner must be at least 24
years of age, provided that he or she will be at least 25 at the
time of the adoption and the completed petition on behalf of a
child is filed.
The request must be on Form I-600A, Application for
Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, and accompanied by
the evidence requested on that form.
After a child or children are located and/or identified, a
separate Form I-600 must be filed for each child. If only one
Form I-600 is filed, a new fee is not required, provided the
form is filed while the advance processing application (Form
I-600A) application is pending or within 18 months of the
approval of the advance processing application.

When Child/Children Are Located and/or Identified.
A separate Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an
Immediate Relative, must be filed for each child.
Generally, Form I-600 should be submitted at the USCIS
office where the advance processing application was filed.
If a prospective petitioner goes abroad to adopt or locate a
child in one of the countries noted below, he or she should file
Form I-600 at the USCIS office having jurisdiction over the
place where the child is residing or will be located, unless the
case is retained at the stateside office.
USCIS has offices in the following countries: Austria, China,
Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Germany, Ghana,
Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti Honduras, India, Italy,
Jamaica, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, the
Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam.
If a prospective petitioner goes abroad to any country not
listed above to adopt or locate a child he or she should file
Form I-600 at the American embassy or consulate having
jurisdiction over the place where the child is residing or will
be located, unless the case is retained at the Stateside office.
Any Form I-600 that is not signed or accompanied by the
correct fee, will be rejected with a notice that the Form
I-600 is deficient. You may correct the deficiency and
resubmit the Form I-600. An application or petition I-600 is
not considered properly filed until accepted by USCIS.

Initial processing. Once a Form I-600 has been accepted, it

will be checked for completness, including submission of the
required initial evidence. If you do not completely fill out the
form, or file it without required initial evidence, you will not
establish a basis for eligibility and we may deny your Form
I-600.

Form I-600 Instructions (Rev. 07/30/07) Y Page 5

Requests for more information or interview. We may

request more information or evidence, or we may request that
you appear at a USCIS office for an interview. We may also
request that you submit the originals of any copy. We will
return these originals when they are no longer required.

Decision. The decision on a Form I-600 involves a
determination of whether you have established eligiblity for
the requested benefit. You will be notified of the decision in
writing.

Penalties.
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material
fact or submit a false document with this Form I-600, we will
deny the Form I-600 and may deny any other immigration
benefit.
In addition, you will face severe penalties provided by law and
may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Privacy Act Notice.
We ask for the information on this form, and associated
evidence, to determine if you have established eligibility for
the immigration benefit for which you are filing. Our legal
right to ask for this information can be found in the
Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. We may
provide this information to other government agencies. Failure
to provide this information, and any requested evidence, may
delay a final decision or result in denial of your Form I-600.

Paperwork Reduction Act.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information
collection and a person is not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid
OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated at 30 minutes per
response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
completing and submitting the form. Send comments
regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this
collection of information, including suggestions for reducing
this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Regulatory Management Division, 111 Massachusetts
Avenue, N.W., 3rd Floor, Suite 3008, Washington, DC 20529.
OMB No. 1615-0028. Do not mail your application to this
address.

Form I-600 Instructions (Rev. 07/30/07) Y Page 6