Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative

Instructions for Petition to Classify Orphan
as an Immediate Relative
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS
Form I-600

OMB No. 1615-0028
Expires 12/31/2018

What Is the Purpose of Form I-600?
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses the information provided on Form I-600, Petition to Classify
Orphan as an Immediate Relative, to determine whether a child who has been or will be adopted by a U.S. citizen is an
orphan and eligible to be classified as your immediate relative for immigration purposes.

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Who May File Form I-600?

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may file Form I-600 for an unmarried child if:

1. You file the Form I-600 before the child’s 16th birthday (or before the child’s 18th birthday in some cases, as
discussed in these Instructions);
2. The child’s adoption is not governed by the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect
of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention);
3. The child qualifies as an orphan, as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 101(b)(1)(F); and
4. You either:

A. Have adopted the child outside the United States and the adoption order is final; or

B. Have obtained legal custody of the child for emigration and adoption in the United States and will adopt the child
in the United States after the child enters the country with a visa.
To qualify as an adoption for immigration purposes, the adoption must, according to the laws where it takes place,
establish a permanent legal parent-child relationship between the child and you, as well as terminate the legal parent-child
relationship between the child and any former parent(s).
If you do not have a final adoption, you may still be eligible to file this petition if you have legal custody of the child for
the purposes of emigration and adoption. For example, a guardianship order, foster parent appointment, or other custody
order may be sufficient if it permits you to take the child out of the country for the purpose of finalizing the adoption in the
United States or in another country.

Who May Not File Form I-600?
If the child is already in the United States, you may not file Form I-600 unless that child is a parolee and has not
been adopted in the United States.
If the child does not qualify as an orphan under INA section 101(b)(1)(F), you cannot file Form I-600. However, the child
may qualify as an immediate relative under INA section 101(b)(1)(E), and you may be able to file Form I-130, Petition for
Alien Relative. See Form I-130 and its Instructions for additional information about this alternative.
If the child’s adoption is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention, you generally cannot file Form I-600 for the child.
If you seek to adopt a child who is habitually resident in a country that is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention,
or you have already adopted a child on or after the date the child’s country became a party to the Hague Adoption
Convention, you should generally file Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a
Convention Country, and Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative.

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There are three exceptions. You may be able to file Form I-600 if:
1. You (and your spouse, if married) were not yet U.S. citizens when you adopted the child from the Hague Adoption
Convention country, but the petitioner is a U.S. citizen at the time of filing Form I-600;
2. The child’s adoption is not governed by the Hague Adoption Convention, even if the adoption occurred after
the Hague Adoption Convention entered into force in the child’s country of origin. For example, the case meets
requirements agreed upon by the United States and the child’s country of origin to proceed as a non-Convention case
during a country’s transition to the Hague Adoption Convention process; or
3. The child’s adoption is not governed by the Hague Adoption Convention because it occurred before the Hague
Adoption Convention entered into force in the child’s country of origin. For additional information, see the
adoption-related pages on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/adoption and the Department of State’s website at
www.adoption.state.gov.

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NOTE: If you are filing under one of these exceptions, you should include evidence that you qualify for the exception
with your Form I-600.
For a list of Hague Adoption Convention countries and the dates the Hague Adoption Convention became effective for
each country, see the Status Table on the website of The Hague Conference on Private International Law at
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=60.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
1. Eligibility requirements for a child.

Under INA section 101(b)(1)(F), an orphan is a child who has:

A. No parents because of the death or disappearance of, abandonment or desertion by, or separation or loss from both
parents; or
B. A sole or surviving parent who is incapable of providing the child with proper care and has, in writing, irrevocably
released the child for emigration and adoption.
Specific age requirements apply. Even if you have not yet completed the adoption or obtained all of the required
supporting documentation, you MUST file Form I-600 before the child turns 16 years of age unless one of the
following exceptions applies:
A. Sibling Exception. You may file Form I-600 after the child’s 16th birthday, but before the child’s 18th birthday,
only if the child is the birth sibling of another foreign born child (“other sibling”) who has immigrated (or will
immigrate) based on an adoption by the same adoptive parent(s). If the other sibling immigrates as an orphan,
then the Form I-600 for the other sibling must have been filed before that sibling’s 16th birthday. If the other
sibling immigrates as an adopted child under INA 101(b)(1)(E), rather than as an orphan, the actual adoption must
have occurred before that sibling’s 16th birthday; or
B. Form I-600A Filed When a Child is 15 Years of Age. If you have filed Form I-600A, Application for Advance
Processing of an Orphan Petition, USCIS will deem the Form I-600A filing date to be the Form I-600 filing date
if:
(1) You filed Form I-600A after the child’s 15th birthday, but before the child’s 16th birthday (or, if applicable for
an older birth sibling, after the child’s 17th birthday, but before the child’s 18th birthday); AND
(2) You filed Form I-600 no more than 180 days after the initial approval of Form I-600A.
2. Eligibility requirements for parents.
You must be a U.S. citizen to file Form I-600.

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If you are married, your spouse does not need to be a U.S. citizen. However, if your spouse lives in the United States,
you must submit proof that your spouse is living in the United States lawfully as a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful
permanent resident, or in another lawful immigration status.
If you are unmarried, you must be at least 25 years of age to file Form I-600.
3. Eligibility requirements for adoption abroad - child adopted by both parents and seen in person by at least one
adoptive parent.
If the child was adopted abroad, you must establish that either you or your spouse (if married) personally saw and
observed the child before or during the adoption proceedings in order for the adoption to be considered full and final.
If you are married, you and your spouse do not both need to have personally seen and observed the child. However,
the adoption decree must show that you and your spouse adopted the child jointly.

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4. Eligibility requirements for adoption abroad - child not seen by at least one parent or not adopted by both
parents.
If the child was adopted abroad, but neither you nor your spouse (if married) personally saw and observed the child
before or during the adoption proceedings, the child will be considered to be coming to the United States for adoption.
You will then need to either adopt the child anew in your state of residence or take whatever steps may be required by
your state of residence to recognize the foreign adoption.
Also, if you are married and you and your spouse did not jointly adopt the child abroad, the child will be considered to
be coming to the United States for adoption, and the spouse who did not adopt abroad will need to adopt the child in
the United States.
5. Pre-adoption eligibility requirements when a child is coming to the United States for adoption.
If the child has not been adopted abroad (for example, you only obtained legal custody or guardianship for emigration
and adoption in the United States), or if the child will be considered to be coming to the United States for adoption,
you and your spouse (if married) must establish that:
A. You and your spouse will adopt the child in the United States; and

B. Any pre-adoption requirements of the state of the child’s proposed residence in the United States have been met or
will be met at a later time.
NOTE: If you previously filed Form I-600A and your responses on this petition differ from the responses provided on
your Form I-600A, USCIS may request additional information regarding the responses.
Concurrently Filed Form I-600
In some situations, you can file your Form I-600 petition on behalf of a specific child together with the supporting
documents for Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition, in order to request that USCIS
also make a determination on your suitability and eligibility to adopt. This is referred to as “concurrent filing.” You do
not need to file a separate Form I 600A itself in this situation.
You may use this concurrent filing option if you:
1. Have not previously filed Form I-600A, but you have finalized an adoption or obtained legal custody of a child; or
2. Identified a child you would like to adopt and your previously approved Form I-600A expired before you filed a Form
I-600 petition; or
3. Previously filed Form I-600A, but your marital status changed after the Form I-600A was approved, and you have
finalized an adoption or obtained legal custody of a child.
All concurrently filed Form I-600 petitions must include the appropriate form fee.

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General Instructions
USCIS provides forms free of charge through the USCIS website. In order to view, print, or fill out our forms, you should
use the latest version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not
have internet access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 and ask that we mail a form to you. The
USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-7671833.
Signature. Each petition must be properly signed and filed. For all signatures on this petition, USCIS will not accept a
stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature. A power of attorney is also not sufficient for USCIS purposes. A
legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. If the request is not signed or if the requisite signature
on the request is not valid, USCIS will reject the request. See 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)(A). If USCIS accepts a request for
adjudication and determines that it has a deficient signature, USCIS will deny the request.

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Validity of Signatures. USCIS will consider a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of the original, handwritten signature
valid for filing purposes. The photocopy, fax, or scan must be of the original document containing the handwritten, ink
signature.
Filing Fee. Each petition must be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee. (See the What Is the Filing Fee section of
these Instructions.)
Evidence. At the time of filing, you must submit all evidence and supporting documents listed in the Initial Evidence
section of these Instructions.
Biometric Services Appointment. USCIS requires that you, your spouse (if married), and any adult member of your
household appear for an interview or provide biometrics (for example, fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature) at any
time to verify identity, obtain additional information, and conduct security checks, including a check of criminal history
records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), before making a decision on your petition.
1. Petitioners Residing in the United States. After you file your petition, USCIS will notify each person in writing of
the date, time, and local or designated USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) where he or she must go to provide
biometrics. USCIS may deny your petition if anyone fails to go to his or her appointment.
2. Petitioners Residing Abroad. Each individual who must provide biometrics must go to a USCIS international office,
U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or U.S. military installation abroad to submit a completed Form FD-258, Applicant
Fingerprint Card, or provide biometrics electronically where available. For additional information on obtaining
biometric services when residing outside the United States, consult the nearest USCIS international office, U.S.
Embassy, or U.S. Consulate.
Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested unless the Instructions specifically state that you
must submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at the time of filing or at any time during
processing of an application or petition. If USCIS requests an original document from you, it will be returned to you after
we determine we no longer need your original.
NOTE: If you submit original documents when not required or requested by USCIS, your original documents may be
immediately destroyed after we receive them.
Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English
translation. The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and
that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certification must also include the
translator’s signature, printed name, the signature date, and the translator’s contact information.
Affidavits. If you cannot obtain a required document, you must:
1. Submit an original typed or written statement from the governmental agency that should have the record, verifying
that the record does not exist;
2. Submit a citation to the U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual indicating that the records are generally not
available; or
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3. Otherwise demonstrate that both the primary and secondary evidence are unavailable. Only then may you submit two
or more written or printed affidavits sworn to or affirmed by persons who are not parties to the petition and have direct
personal knowledge of the event and circumstances. Affidavits should contain the following information about each
person making the affidavit: his or her full name, address, date and place of birth, relationship to you, full information
concerning the event, and complete details on how he or she acquired knowledge of the event.
How To Fill Out Form I-600
1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
2. If you need extra space to complete any item within this petition, use the space provided in Part 13. Additional
Information or attach a separate sheet of paper. If you attach a separate sheet of paper, type or print your name and
Alien Registration Number (A-Number) (if any) at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number,
and Item Number to which your answer refers; and sign and date each sheet.

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3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If a question does not apply to you (for example, if you have never been
married and the question asks, “Provide the name of your current spouse”), type or print “N/A” unless otherwise
directed. If your answer to a question which requires a numeric response is zero or none (for example, “How many
children do you have?” or “How many times have you departed the United States?”), type or print “None” unless
otherwise directed.
4. Part 6. Information About Your Home Study and Primary Adoption Service Provider. For Item Number 1.,
select only one box in Items A. - E., depending on the status of your home study:
A. If you previously submitted your home study with your approved and valid Form I-600A, then select Item
A. and submit a copy of your Form I-600A approval notice;
B. If you previously submitted your home study, but your Form I-600A is still pending, then select Item B. and
submit a copy of your Form I-600A receipt notice;
C. If you previously submitted your home study with Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 3, then select Item C.
and submit a copy of your Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 3 receipt notice.
D. If you did not file Form I-600A or filed Form I-600A without your home study, then select Item D. and
submit your original home study; or
E. If you are unable to submit your home study because your state of residence must review and forward your
home study directly to USCIS, then select Item E., but do not file your Form I-600 until your state authority is
ready to send your home study to USCIS.
NOTE: If you do not have your home study yet because your state authority must review and approve it, but will
forward it to you (as opposed to USCIS directly), then do not file your Form I-600 until you have received your
home study from your state authority. When you have received your home study, select Item D. and submit your
original home study with your petition.
5. Part 8. Accommodations for Individuals With Disabilities and/or Impairments. USCIS is committed to
providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and/or impairments that will help
them fully participate in USCIS programs and benefits.
Reasonable accommodations vary with each disability and/or impairment. They may involve modifications to
practices or procedures. There are various types of reasonable accommodations that we may offer. Examples include
but are not limited to:
A. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, USCIS may provide you with a sign-language interpreter at an interview or
other immigration benefit-related appointment; or
B. If you are unable to travel to a designated USCIS location for an interview, USCIS may visit you at your home or
a hospital.

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If you believe that you need USCIS to accommodate your, your spouse’s (if married), or an adult member of
your household’s disability and/or impairment, select “Yes” in Item Number 1. and then all applicable boxes in
Item Number 2., as well as in Items A. - C. in Item Number 3. that describe the nature of the disabilities and/
or impairments. Also, describe the types of requested accommodations on the lines provided. If requesting a signlanguage interpreter, indicate for which language. If you need extra space to complete this section, use the space
provided in Part 13. Additional Information.
6. Part 9. Petitioner’s Statement, Certification, Duty of Disclosure and Signature. Select the appropriate box
to indicate whether you read this petition yourself or whether you had an interpreter assist you. Also, if someone
assisted you in completing the petition, select the box indicating that you used a preparer. Additionally, under
8 CFR 204.311(d), you, your spouse (if married), and any adult member of your household have an ongoing duty of
disclosure throughout the intercountry adoption process. See the Duty of Disclosure section of these Instructions
below for more information. Read the Duty of Disclosure certification, then sign and date this section of the petition.
Every petition MUST contain the petitioner’s signature.

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7. Part 10. Your Spouse’s Statement, Certification, Duty of Disclosure, and Signature. Your spouse (if married)
should select the appropriate box to indicate whether he or she read this petition alone or whether he or she had an
interpreter assist him or her. If someone assisted your spouse in completing this petition, select the box indicating
that he or she used a preparer. Additionally, under 8 CFR 204.311(d), your spouse has an ongoing duty of disclosure
throughout the intercountry adoption process. See the Duty of Disclosure section of these Instructions below for
more information. Your spouse must read the Duty of Disclosure certification, then sign and date this section of
the petition. Every petition MUST contain your spouse’s signature. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a
signature is not acceptable.
8. Part 11. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature. If you and/or your spouse (if married)
used anyone as an interpreter to read the Instructions and questions on this petition to you in a language in which
you are fluent, the interpreter must fill out this section; provide his or her name, the name and address of his or her
business or organization (if any), his or her daytime telephone number, his or her mobile telephone number (if any),
and his or her email address (if any). The interpreter must sign and date the petition.
9. Part 12. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Petition, if Other
Than the Petitioner and/or Spouse. This section must contain the signature of the person who completed your
petition, if other than you, the petitioner and/or your spouse (if married). If the same individual acted as an interpreter
and preparer for you and your spouse, that person should complete both Part 11. and Part 12. If the person who
completed this petition is associated with a business or organization, that person should complete the business or
organization name and address information. Anyone who helped you and/or your spouse complete this petition
MUST sign and date the petition. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable. If the
person who helped you and/or your spouse prepare your petition is an attorney or accredited representative, he or
she may also need to submit a completed Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited
Representative, or Form G-28I, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney In Matters Outside the Geographical
Confines of the United States, along with your petition.
Only an individual who is licensed in the United States as an attorney (or who is otherwise permitted under 8 CFR
parts 1.2, 292.1, and 292.2 to practice before USCIS) may give you legal advice or provide any other legal services
concerning your petition. You should ask anyone providing you with legal advice if he or she is licensed to practice
law, or is otherwise permitted by U.S. law to provide you with legal advice about immigration processes.
An “accredited representative” means an individual accredited under 8 CFR 292.2(d) to practice before USCIS
and/or the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). This type of accreditation to provide legal services is
separate and distinct from accreditation to provide adoption services under the Department of State regulations at
22 CFR 96.

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10. Part 13. Additional Information. If you need extra space to provide any additional information within this petition,
use the space provided in Part 13. Additional Information. If you need more space than what is provided in
Part 13., you may make copies of Part 13. to complete and file with your petition, or attach a separate sheet of
paper. If you attach a separate sheet of paper, type or print your name and A-Number (if any) at the top of each sheet;
indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer refers; and sign and date each
sheet.
We recommend that you print or save a copy of your completed petition to review in the future and for your
records. We recommend that you review your copy of your completed petition before you go to your biometric
services appointment at a USCIS ASC. At your appointment, USCIS will permit you to complete the petition process
only if you are able to confirm, under penalty of perjury, that all of the information in your petition is complete, true,
and correct. If you are not able to make that attestation in good faith at that time, USCIS will require you to return for
another appointment.

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Form I-600A/I-600 Supplements

Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 1, Listing of Adult Member of the Household

You must submit Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 1, Listing of Adult Member of the Household, for each adult
member of your household. For this supplement, an adult member of the household is any individual other than you and
your spouse (if married), who has the same residence as you and is 18 years of age or older on or before the date that you
file Form I-600A or Form I-600. An adult member of the household is considered to have the same residence as you if he
or she actually lives with you. It does not matter if he or she intends to reside with you for a short term or long term.
USCIS may request that you submit Supplement 1 for any household member who has not yet turned 18 years of age
before you file Form I-600A or Form I-600, or who does not actually live with you, but whose presence USCIS deems
relevant to whether you and your spouse (if married) are suitable and eligible to adopt.
Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 2, Consent to Disclose Information

If you want to give consent for USCIS to disclose information about your case to your primary adoption service provider,
home study preparer, or any other individual or entity (other than your attorney or accredited representative), you should
complete Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 2. You are not required to give this consent in order to file Form I-600.
Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 3, Request for Action on Approved Form I-600A/I-600
You must file Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 3 if you would like to request action, such as an extension or updated
suitability determination, on your approved and valid Form I-600A or Form I-600 suitability determination.
The USCIS office that approves your Form I-600A (if you choose to file it) will have jurisdiction over any extensions or
changes you may need to request while your Form I-600A approval remains valid. Once you file Form I-600, you are not
required to keep any underlying Form I-600A approval valid, but you may do so if you wish. If you choose to let your
Form I-600A expire after you filed your Form I-600, the USCIS office that approved your original Form I-600A or the
USCIS office with jurisdiction over your Form I-600 may assume jurisdiction over making a new suitability determination
in light of any significant changes.
If your Form I-600A approval is still valid, you must use Form I-600A/Form I-600, Supplement 3, regardless of
whether you have filed Form I-600, to request any of the following:
1. An extension of your approved Form I-600A.
2. A new approval notice based on a significant change or changes in the number of children or characteristics (such as
age, gender, and/or special needs) of the child or children you intend to adopt since your Form I-600A or Form I-600
was approved.
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3. A change in non-Hague Adoption Convention country; or
4. A duplicate approval notice.
Your Form I-600A approval notice indicates the date your approval expires. If you are filing Supplement 3 to obtain an
extension of your approved Form I-600A, you must do so before your approval expires, but no more than 90 days before
its expiration.
NOTE: You may not use Supplement 3 to extend eligibility to process your case as a Hague Adoption Convention
transition case beyond your first extension. Generally, you may not use Supplement 3 to increase the number of children
you wish to adopt from a transition country. However, unless prohibited by the new Convention country, USCIS will
permit prospective adoptive parent(s) to request an updated Form I-600A approval notice to increase the number of
children they are approved to adopt as a transition case only in order to pursue the adoption of a birth sibling, provided the
birth sibling(s) is (are) identified and the Form I-600 petition is filed before the Form I-600A approval expires. You may
not use Supplement 3 to change to a transition country if you have already designated a country. See the adoption-related
pages on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/adoption for information on filing limitations in transition cases.

Initial Evidence

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Unless otherwise stated, you must submit the following supporting documentation with your Form I-600:
If you are seeking to file Form I-600 for a child that is 15 years of age, see the What Are the Eligibility Requirements
section of these Instructions.
1. Proof of Petitioner’s U.S. Citizenship

If you previously submitted proof of your U.S. citizenship with your pending or approved and valid Form I-600A, you
do not need to submit it again unless USCIS requests it. Otherwise, please submit the evidence listed below.
A. If you were born in the United States, you must submit a copy of your birth certificate issued by a civil registrar,
vital statistics office, or other civil authority. If your birth certificate is not available, submit a statement from the
appropriate civil authority certifying that your birth certificate is not available and secondary evidence, such as:
(1) Religious records bearing the seal of the organization showing the baptism, dedication, or comparable rite
occurred within two months after your birth and showing the date and place of your birth, date of the religious
ceremony, and the names of your parents;
(2) School records issued by the authority (preferably the first school you attended) showing the date of your
admission to the school, your age at the time, and your parents’ names and places of birth;
(3) Census records (state or Federal) showing your name, place of birth, and date of birth or age;
(4) Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by persons who were living at the time of your birth and who have personal
knowledge of your date and place of birth in the United States. Affidavits should contain the following
information about each person making the affidavit: his or her full name, address, date and place of birth,
relationship to you, full information concerning the event, and complete details on how he or she acquired
knowledge of your birth; or
(5) An unexpired U.S. passport issued with 10 years of validity.
B. If you were born outside the United States, submit a copy of one of the following:
(1) Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship issued by USCIS or the former Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS);
(2) Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States, issued by a U.S. Embassy or U.S.
Consulate;
(3) An unexpired U.S. passport issued with 10 years of validity; or

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(4) An original statement from a U.S. consular officer verifying your U.S. citizenship with an unexpired passport.
NOTE: If you are married and your spouse lives in the United States, you must submit proof that your spouse is
living in the United States lawfully. If your spouse is a U.S. citizen or non-citizen U.S. national, you must submit
the evidence listed above as proof of your spouse’s U.S. citizenship or non-citizen U.S. national status. If your
spouse is a foreign national who is residing in the United States, submit proof of your spouse’s lawful immigration
status, such as: a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card); Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record; a copy of the
biographic pages of your spouse’s passport and his or her nonimmigrant visa pages showing an admission stamp;
or any other Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-issued document.
2. Proof of Marriage of Petitioner and Spouse (if applicable)

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If you are married, you must submit a copy of your marriage certificate. If you or your spouse were previously
married, you must also submit proof of termination of any prior marriages. However, if you previously submitted any
of this evidence with a pending or approved and valid Form I-600A, you do not need to submit it again unless USCIS
requests it.
If any change occurs in your marital status while your petition is pending, immediately notify the USCIS office or the
government entity that USCIS designates that has jurisdiction over your case. See the Home Study Updates section
of these Instructions below for more details on changes in marital status.
3. Proof of Orphan’s Age and Identity

Submit a copy of the child’s birth certificate, or if such a certificate is not available, an explanation together with other
proof of age, identity, and birth parentage. Secondary evidence can include medical records, school records, religious
records, child welfare records, entry in a family Bible, foster care or orphanage intake sheets, or affidavits from
individuals with first-hand knowledge of the event(s) to which they are testifying. If there is doubt that the child is the
birth child of his or her purported birth parent, USCIS may require, request, or accept the submission of DNA or DNA
test results evidence to establish the claimed relationship.
4. Copies of Death Certificates of Child’s Parents (if applicable)

5. Certified Copy of Adoption or Custody Decree and Certified Translation (if applicable)

Some countries follow the Pre-Adoption Immigration Review (PAIR) process. In such countries, you must file Form
I-600 and obtain a PAIR letter before adopting or obtaining legal custody for emigration and adoption in the United
States. For a list of such countries, see the adoption-related pages on the USCIS website at
www.uscis.gov/adoptions.
6. Evidence Child is an Orphan (as defined in INA section 101(b)(1)(F) and 8 CFR 204.3(b))
You must submit evidence that:
A. The child’s birth mother is a sole parent who is incapable of providing proper care for the child and has in writing
irrevocably released the child for emigration and adoption. A child’s birth father cannot be classified as a sole
parent under 8 CFR 204.3(b);
B. One of the child’s birth parents is deceased, and the surviving parent is incapable of providing proper care for the
child and has in writing irrevocably released the child for emigration and adoption; or
C. The child has no legal parents due to the death or disappearance of, abandonment or desertion by, or separation
or loss from both parents. These terms are defined in 8 CFR 204.3(b) and indicate what must be established for
each of these situations to apply. It is not necessary to establish that each parent is absent for the same reason.
For example, if one parent has disappeared and the other parent has abandoned the child, the child may qualify as
an orphan.

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Before USCIS, or the government entity that USCIS designates, can make a final decision on your petition, an
officer must complete an internal document called Form I-604, Determination on Child for Adoption, also known
as an orphan determination. USCIS, or the government entity that USCIS designates, must complete an orphan
determination as part of every orphan adoption case to verify that the child is an orphan under U.S. immigration
law.
7. Proof of Compliance with Preadoption Requirements (if any)
If the child will be coming to the United States for adoption, you must provide evidence that any pre-adoption
requirements of the state where the child will live have been or will be met. If you cannot submit this evidence when
you initially file your petition due to state law requirements, you may submit this evidence later. However, USCIS
will not approve your Form I-600 for a specific child without this evidence.
8. Home Study

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If you previously submitted your original home study to USCIS with your pending or approved and valid Form
I-600A or Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 3, you do not need to resubmit a copy of it with your Form I-600.
However, you must submit an original home study with your Form I-600 if you did not previously submit
it with your Form I-600A or Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 3, or if you are requesting a suitability and
eligibility determination as part of Form I-600. The only exception to this requirement is if you live in a state
where an appropriate state authority must review and approve your home study and submit it directly to USCIS. In
all cases, your home study must not be more than six months old when it is submitted to USCIS. If it is more than six
months old, you must include an update that is not more than six months old.
You must submit an original home study prepared according to the requirements specified in 8 CFR 204.311 by a
person who is authorized under 22 CFR 96 to prepare the home study.
A home study preparer is an individual or agency authorized to conduct home studies as a public domestic authority,
a public foreign authority, an accredited agency, approved person, supervised provider, or exempted provider (see
8 CFR 204.301). The home study preparer (other than a public domestic authority or a public foreign authority)
must hold any license or other authorization that is required to conduct adoption home studies under the law of the
jurisdiction where the home study is prepared. The home study preparer (or, if the home study is prepared by an
entity, the officer or employee who has authority to sign the home study for the entity) must also personally sign your
home study and any updated home study under penalty of perjury under U.S. law.
If your case meets certain criteria, your home study may be required to meet some different requirements than those
described above. For more information, see the information on the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act
of 2012 on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/adoption.
If your home study was not conducted by an accredited agency, an accredited agency must review and approve your
home study before you submit it to USCIS. If your home study requires review and approval, you may submit a copy
of the review and approval versus the original review and approval letter. This requirement does not apply to a home
study that was conducted by a public domestic authority or a public foreign authority. A public domestic authority
means an authority operated by a state, local, or tribal government within the United States. A public foreign authority
means an authority operated by a national or subnational government of a foreign country. Although a reviewer is not
required, a home study conducted by a public foreign authority or public domestic authority must still comply with the
requirements specified in 8 CFR 204.311.

Home Study Requirements
For a complete description of the requirements for a home study, see 8 CFR 204.311 and 22 CFR 96. If your case meets
certain criteria, your home study may not be required to meet the requirements of 8 CFR 204.311 and 22 CFR 96. For
more information, see the information on the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 on the USCIS
website at www.uscis.gov/adoption.

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Home Study Updates
There may be times during the adoption process when you will be required to obtain and provide an update of your home
study.
The following are some examples of circumstances that require a home study update:
1. If you previously filed Form I-600A, you must submit an updated home study to USCIS when you request an
extension of your Form I-600A approval.
2. Change in intended country of adoption to a different non-Hague Adoption Convention country.
3. Change in marital status. If your change in marital status occurs:

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A. While your Form I-600A is pending, you must submit a new Form I-600A that reflects your changed marital status
and an updated home study. No Form I-600A application fee is required.
B. After your Form I-600A has been approved, USCIS will automatically revoke an approved Form I-600A if you
are an unmarried petitioner who marries or if you are married and your current marriage ends. Therefore, you
must either:
(1) Submit a new Form I-600A with the filing fee. You must also submit an updated home study that reflects your
changed marital status; or
(2) Wait until you are ready to file your Form I-600 and file it concurrently with Form I-600A supporting
documents and the Form I-600 filing fee. You must also submit an updated home that reflects your changed
marital status.
C. If you have a previously approved Form I-600A and your Form I-600 remains pending, you must submit a new
Form I-600A that reflects your changed marital status and an updated home study. You must pay a new Form
I-600A fee.
D. While your Form I-600 petition remains pending, and you have not previously filed a Form I-600A, you must
submit a new Form I-600 that reflects your changed marital status and an updated home study. No new Form
I-600 fee is required.
E. After your concurrently filed Form I-600 has been approved and you have not previously filed a Form I-600A, you
must submit a Form I-600A that reflects your changed marital status and an updated home study. You must pay
the Form I-600A filing fee.
4. Change of residence, including a change in the child’s proposed residence. If you move to a new state in the
United States, you must meet any pre-adoption requirements of that new state if the child is coming to the United
States for adoption.
5. Significant decrease in financial resources, such as loss of employment, garnishment of wages, etc.
6. Any change in history of arrest or criminal history of any household member regardless of age.
7. Any change in history of child abuse or neglect, substance abuse, family violence, and/or sexual abuse as an
offender, for any household member regardless of age.
8. Change in the number of and/or identity of children in your household, whether through adoption, foster care,
birth, or any other means.
9. Change in the number of and/or identity of adult members of your household. A Form I-600A/Form I-600,
Supplement 1 is required for any new adult member of the household.
10. Lapse of more than six months between the date your home study is completed and the date you submit it to
USCIS.
11. Change in the number of children or characteristics (such as age, gender, and/or special needs) of the child or
children you intend to adopt.

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12. A development of a serious health condition for any household member, including but not limited to: heart
attacks, cancer, strokes, conditions requiring extensive therapy, dementia, severe injuries, etc.
Your adoption service provider can advise you on other changes that may require an updated home study.
How to File Updates to Your Home Study
The location for filing an update to your home study and the items you must include will depend on where you are in the
adoption process. If you need to submit a home study update:
1. While your Form I-600A or concurrently filed Form I-600 is pending, you must submit your updated home study
to the USCIS office currently reviewing your application or petition. You do not need to file Form I-600A/I-600,
Supplement 3 or pay an additional fee while Form I-600A or a concurrently filed Form I-600 is pending.

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2. After USCIS has approved your Form I-600A (and while it remains valid), you must file Form I-600A/I-600,
Supplement 3 with a fee. You must also submit your updated home study with a copy of the home study that is being
updated (including all prior updates) to the USCIS office that approved your Form I-600A. No Supplement 3 fee is
required if you are also making your first request to extend your Form I-600A approval or to change to a different
non-Hague Adoption Convention country.
3. After your Form I-600A approval is no longer valid and you have filed Form I-600, you must file Form
I-600A/I-600, Supplement 3 with fee and submit your updated home study with a copy of the home study that is being
updated (including all prior updates) to the USCIS office with jurisdiction over your Form I-600.
4. After USCIS has approved your concurrently filed Form I-600 and before you have completed immigrant visa
processing for your child, you must file Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 3 with fee and submit your updated home
study with a copy of the home study that is being updated (including all prior updates) to the USCIS office that has
jurisdiction over your Form I-600.
USCIS will review your updated home study to determine whether you and your spouse (if married) are or remain suitable
and eligible to adopt a foreign born child.
NOTE: A change in marital status will require you to file a new application or petition as explained in Item 3. Change in
marital status, above. See the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/adoption/home-study-information for information.
If you are abroad, do not file home study updates with U.S. Department of State personnel at a U.S. Embassy or
Consulate. You must submit any home study updates directly to the USCIS office that has jurisdiction over your filing.

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Duty of Disclosure
Under 8 CFR 204.311(d), you, your spouse (if married), and any adult member of your household have an ongoing
duty of disclosure throughout the intercountry adoption process. This duty requires you, your spouse, and any adult
member of your household to:
1. Provide true and complete information to your home study preparer;
2. Disclose other relevant information, such as physical, mental, or emotional health problems or behavioral issues;
3. Disclose any arrest, conviction, or other criminal history, whether in the United States or abroad, even if the record
of the arrest, conviction, or other criminal history was expunged, sealed, pardoned, or the subject of any other
amelioration;

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4. Disclose any history of substance abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse or neglect, and/or family violence as an offender
under 8 CFR 204.309(a)(1), even if closed or unsubstantiated; and
5. Notify your home study preparer and USCIS of any new event or information that might require you to submit an
updated home study.
With respect to child abuse or neglect, this duty of disclosure requires you to disclose any past or pending investigation
by any child welfare agency, court, or other official authority in any state or foreign country concerning the abuse or
neglect of any child, even if closed or unsubstantiated.
This duty of disclosure is an ongoing duty that continues throughout the intercountry adoption process. This timeframe
includes periods while any Form I-600A is pending, after any Form I-600A is approved, while any Form I-600 is
pending, and until there is a final decision to admit the child to the United States with a visa.
See the adoption-related pages on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/adoption for information on duty of disclosure
notification periods.

WARNING

Under 8 CFR 204.309(a), USCIS will deny this petition if you, your spouse (if married), or any adult member of your
household:
1. Conceal, misrepresent, or fail to disclose any facts to the home study preparer or USCIS about any arrest, conviction,
or history of substance abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse or neglect, and/or family violence, or any other criminal
history as an offender. The fact that an arrest or conviction or other criminal history was expunged, sealed, pardoned,
or the subject of any other amelioration does not relieve you, your spouse, or any adult member of your household
from the obligation to disclose it;
2. Fail to cooperate in having available child abuse registries checked in accordance with 8 CFR 204.311; or
3. Fail to disclose, as required by 8 CFR 204.311, each and every prior adoption home study, whether completed or
not, including those that did not favorably recommend you, your spouse, or any adult member of your household for
adoption or custodial care.

What Is the Filing Fee?
The filing fee for Form I-600 is $810 for each petition, unless the children are birth siblings. You do not need to pay the
filing fee if:
1. You filed Form I-600A and it was approved or remains pending; and

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2. This is the first Form I-600 you are filing (or you are filing multiple petitions for children who are birth siblings),
based on your valid Form I-600A.
You must pay a filing fee for each additional child unless the children are birth siblings.
If you are making a concurrent filing because you did not file Form I-600A and instead are requesting a suitability
and eligibility determination as part of your Form I-600, then you must pay a Form I-600 filing fee for each child’s
petition, unless the children are birth siblings. If the children are birth siblings, only one filing fee is required.
The filing fees for the three Form I-600A/I-600 Supplements are as follows:
1. There is no filing fee for Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 1.

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2. There is no filing fee for Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 2.

3. There is a $405 filing fee for Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 3. Certain requests associated with the form do not
require a fee. These exceptions are indicated on Supplement 3.
NOTE: The filing fee is not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this petition. DO NOT MAIL CASH.
You must submit all fees in the exact amounts.
Payments by Check or Money Order

If you are filing abroad, contact the nearest USCIS international office or U.S. Embassy or Consulate for instructions on
fees and methods of payment.
If you are filing domestically through the USCIS Lockbox, use the following guidelines when you prepare your
check or money order for the Form I-600 filing fee:
1. The check or money order must be drawn on a bank or other financial institution located in the United States and must
be payable in U.S. currency; and
2. Make the check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

NOTE: Spell out U.S. Department of Homeland Security; do not use the initials “USDHS” or “DHS.”
Notice to Those Paying by Check. If you send USCIS a check, we will convert it into an electronic funds transfer (EFT).
This means we will copy your check and use the account information on it to electronically debit your account for the
amount of the check. The debit from your account will usually take 24 hours, and your bank will show it on your regular
account statement.
You will not receive your original check back. We will destroy your original check, but will keep a copy of it. If USCIS
cannot process the EFT for technical reasons, you authorize us to process the copy in place of your original check. If your
check is returned as unpayable, USCIS will re-submit the payment to the financial institution one time. If your check is
returned as unpayable, we may reject your petition.
Payments by Credit Card
If you are filing your petition at a USCIS Lockbox facility, you can pay your filing fee using a credit card. Please see
Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, at www.uscis.gov/G-1450, for more information.
How To Check If the Fee is Correct
Form I-600’s filing fee is current as of the edition date in the lower left corner of this page. However, because USCIS fees
change periodically, you can verify that the fee is correct by following one of the steps below.
1. Visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov, select “FORMS,” and select Form I-600 to check the appropriate fee; or
2. Visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter to get answers to your questions and connect with a
live USCIS representative. The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish. For TTY (deaf
or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.

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Where To File?
Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/i-600 or visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter
to connect with a USCIS representative for the most current information about where to file this petition. The USCIS
Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.

Address Change
If your address changes, you must notify the U.S. government entity with jurisdiction over your case. Due to your change
in residence, USCIS may also require you to submit an updated home study for a significant change. If you move to a
different state, you may also have to provide updated information regarding any pre-adoption requirements.

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See the adoption-related pages on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/adoption for information on significant changes
due to a change in residence and current mailing addresses for the National Benefits Center.
NOTE: Do not submit a change of address request to the USCIS Lockbox facilities because the Lockbox does not
process change of address requests.

Processing Information

USCIS will reject any Form I-600 that is not signed or accompanied by the correct fee, if any, and issue a notice
stating that your Form I-600 is deficient. You may correct the deficiency and resubmit Form I-600. A petition is not
considered properly filed until USCIS accepts it.
Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your petition, we will check it for completeness. If you do not completely fill
out this petition, you will not establish a basis for eligibility and USCIS may reject or deny your petition.
Requests for More Information. USCIS may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your
petition. We may also request that you provide the originals of any copies you submit. If we request an original document
from you, it will be returned to you after USCIS determines we no longer need your original.
Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview based on your petition. At
the time of any interview or other appearance at a USCIS office, we may require that you provide your biometrics to
verify your identity and/or update security checks.
Decision. A decision on Form I-600 involves a determination of whether you have established that a child is an orphan
and eligible to be classified as your immediate relative for immigration purposes. If you filed Form I-600 without a
previously approved and valid Form I-600A, our decision will also include a concurrent determination as to whether you
are suitable and eligible to adopt. USCIS or the government entity with jurisdiction over your case will notify you of the
decision in writing.

USCIS Forms and Information
To ensure you are using the latest version of this petition, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov where you can obtain
the latest USCIS forms and immigration-related information. If you do not have internet access, you may call the USCIS
Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 and ask that we mail a form to you. The USCIS Contact Center provides information
in English and Spanish. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.

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Instead of waiting in line for assistance at your local domestic USCIS office, you may schedule an appointment
online at www.uscis.gov. Select “Tools,” then under “Self Service Tools,” select “Make an Appointment” and
follow the screen prompts to set up your appointment. Once you finish scheduling an appointment, the system
will generate an appointment notice for you.
Penalties
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with your Form I-600, we will
deny your Form I-600 and may deny any other USCIS benefit. In addition, you will face severe penalties provided by law
and may be subject to criminal prosecution.

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DHS Privacy Notice

AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this petition, and the associated evidence, is collected under INA
sections 101(b)(1)(F), 201, and 204, 8 CFR 204.3, 8 CFR 204.301, and 8 CFR 204.311.
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this petition is to determine if you have
established that a child is an orphan and eligible to be classified as your immediate relative for immigration purposes.
For petitioners who do not have a previously approved and valid Form I-600A, the information on this petition will also
enable USCIS to concurrently determine whether you are suitable and eligible to adopt. DHS will use the information you
provide to grant or deny your petition.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information,
including your Social Security number (if applicable), and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision in your case
or result in denial of your petition.
ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this petition and any additional requested evidence
with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved
routine uses described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS/USCIS/ICE/CBP-001 Alien File,
Index, and National File Tracking System of Records, DHS/USCIS-005 Inter-County Adoptions Security, and DHS/
USCIS-018 Immigration Biometric Background Check] and published privacy impact assessments [DHS/USCIS/PIA007(b) Domestically Filed Intercountry Adoptions Applications and Petitions and DHS/USCIS/PIA-051 Case and Activity
Management for International Operations], which you can find at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share the
information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.
PRIVACY ACT WAIVER: Except as permitted by the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, applicable routine uses, and
information related to adult members of your household as noted in Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 1, USCIS may not
disclose or give access to any information or record relating to any petitioner, spouse (if married), or adult member of your
household to any individual or entity other than that person, including but not limited to an accredited agency, approved
person, exempted provider, supervised provider, or other adoption service provider, unless you give written consent.
If you want to give consent for USCIS to disclose information about your case to an individual or entity, (other than
your attorney or accredited representative), you must complete Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 2, Consent to Disclose
Information. You are not required to give this consent to file Form I-600.

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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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The public
reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the petition, preparing statements,
attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the petition. The collection of biometrics is estimated to require 1
hour and 10 minutes. 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 Coordination
Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 20 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20529-2140; OMB No. 1615-0028.
Do not mail your completed Form I-600 to this address.

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