I-600A Instructions TOC

TABLE OF CHANGES – INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions for Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition

OMB Number: 1615-0028

05/13/2020

Reason for Revision: Biometrics Rule

Project Phase: NPRM

Legend for Proposed Text:

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Expires 12/31/2018

Edition Date 12/23/2016

Current Page Number and Section	Current Text	Proposed Text
Pages 2-5, General Instructions	[Page 2] General 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/or 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 background and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), before making a decision on your application. 1. Applicants Residing in the United States. After you file your application, 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 application if anyone fails to go to his or her appointment. 2. Applicants 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 USCIS determines it no longer needs your original. … 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 2. Information About Your Home Study Preparer and/or Primary Adoption Service Provider. Provide the information requested in Item Numbers 1. - 5. Indicate in Item Number 1. whether your home study is or is not attached to your Form I-600A. If your home study is attached, select Item A. If your home study is not attached, select Item B. Your home study must be submitted within one year from the date you file Form I-600A, or USCIS will deny your Form I-600A under 8 CFR parts 204.3(c)(2) and (h)(5). If the individual who prepared your home study meets the definition of an exempted or supervised provider in 22 CFR 96, you will need to identify an accredited agency that has reviewed and approved or will review and approve your home study in Item Number 3. 5. Part 4. 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. [Page 4] If you believe that you need USCIS to accommodate your, your spouse's (if married), or other household member's disability and/or impairment, select "Yes" in Item Number 1. and then all applicable boxes 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 sign-language interpreter, indicate for which language. If you need extra space to complete this section, use the space provided in Part 9. Additional Information. 6. Part 5. Applicant's Statement, Certification, Duty of Disclosure, and Signature. Select the appropriate box to indicate whether you read this application yourself or whether you had an interpreter assist you. Also, if someone assisted you in completing the application, select the box indicating that you used a preparer. Under \8 CFR section 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 application. Every application MUST contain the signature of the applicant. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable. 7. Part 6. Your Spouse's Statement, Certification, Duty of Disclosure, and Signature. Your spouse should select the appropriate box to indicate whether he or she read this application themselves or whether he or she had an interpreter assist them. If someone assisted your spouse in completing the application, select the box indicating that he or she used a preparer. Additionally, if you are married, 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 application. Every application MUST contain the signature of your spouse. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable. 8. Part 7. 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 application 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 application. 9. Part 8. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Application, If Other Than the Applicant and/or Spouse. This section must contain the signature of the person who completed your application, if other than you, the applicant. If the same individual acted as an interpreter and preparer for you and your spouse (if married), that person should complete both Part 7. and Part 8. If the person who completed this application 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 application MUST sign and date the application. 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 application 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 application. 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 application. 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. 10. Part 9. Additional Information. If you need extra space to provide any additional information within this application, use the space provided in Part 9. Additional Information. If you need more space than what is provided in Part 9., you may make copies of Part 9. to complete and file with your application, 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. [Page 5] We recommend that you print or save a copy of your completed application to review in the future and for your records. We recommend that you review your copy of your completed application before you go to your biometric services appointment at a USCIS ASC. At your appointment, USCIS will permit you to complete the application process only if you are able to confirm, under penalty of perjury, that all of the information in your application 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.	[Page 2] General Instructions … [no change] Biometric Services Appointment. Every individual who is an applicant, petitioner, derivative, beneficiary, or sponsor of an immigration benefit request or other request submitted to USCIS is required to submit biometrics unless USCIS waives or exempts the requirement.  For intercountry adoption cases, each adult member of your household 18 years of age or older, including your spouse (if married) must submit biometrics. Beneficiaries are exempt from the biometrics requirement unless USCIS notifies the petitioner that a beneficiary’s biometrics are required. 1. Applicants Residing in the United States. USCIS will notify all parties of the time and place of their appointment if they must appear and will provide requirements for rescheduling if necessary. If any party fails to submit biometrics as required, USCIS may deny your application, petition, or request. 2. Applicants Residing Abroad. Each individual who requires biometric services must submit a completed Form FD-258, Applicant Fingerprint Card, or appear for electronic biometrics where available. A USCIS international office, U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or U.S. military installation abroad must prepare the fingerprint card or collect the electronic biometrics. 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. DHS may store the biometrics submitted by an individual and use or reuse biometrics to conduct background and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), verify identity, produce documents, determine eligibility for immigration and naturalization benefits, or to perform any other functions necessary for administering and enforcing immigration and naturalization laws, and any other law within DHS authority. If you are required to provide biometrics, at your appointment you must sign an oath reaffirming that: 1. You provided or authorized all information in the application; 2. You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your application; and [Page 3] 3. All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing. [no change] … [no change] 4. Biographic Information. If you previously filed Form I-600A and provided biographic information, you do not need to complete this section. Otherwise, provide the biographic information requested. Providing this information as part of your petition may reduce the time you spend at your USCIS ASC appointment as described in the Biometric Services Appointment section of these Instructions. A. Ethnicity and Race. Select the boxes that best describe your ethnicity and race. B. Categories and Definitions for Ethnicity and Race (1) Hispanic or Latino. A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. (NOTE: This category is only included under Ethnicity in Part 1., Item Number 17.) (2) American Indian or Alaska Native. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment. [Page 4] (3) Asian. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. (4) Black or African American. A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. (5) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. (6) White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. C. Height. Select the values that best match your height in feet and inches. For example, if you are five feet and nine inches, select “5” for feet and “09” for inches. Do not enter your height in meters or centimeters. D. Weight. Enter your weight in pounds. If you do not know your weight or need to enter a weight under 30 pounds or over 699 pounds, enter “000.” Do not enter your weight in kilograms. E. Eye Color. Select the box that best describes the color of your eyes. F. Hair Color. Select the box that best describes the color of your hair. 5. Part 2. Information About Your Home Study Preparer and/or Primary Adoption Service Provider. Provide the information requested in Item Numbers 1. - 5. [no change] 6. Part 4. 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. [no change] B. If you are blind or have low vision, USCIS may permit you to take a test orally rather than in writing; or C. If you are unable to travel to a designated USCIS location for an interview, USCIS may visit you at your home or a hospital. [Page 4] [no change] NOTE: All domestic USCIS facilities meet the “Standards for Accessible Design” of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), so you do not need to contact USCIS to request an accommodation for physical access to a domestic USCIS office. However, in Part 4. of this application, you can indicate whether you use a wheelchair. This will allow USCIS to better prepare for your visit. [Page 5] NOTE: USCIS also ensures that limited English proficient (LEP) individuals are provided meaningful access at an interview or other immigration benefit-related appointment, unless otherwise prohibited by law.  LEP individuals may bring a qualified interpreter to the interview. USCIS considers requests for reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis, and we will make our best efforts to reasonably accommodate your disabilities and/or impairments. USCIS will not exclude you from participating in USCIS programs or deny your petition because of your disabilities and/or impairments. Requesting and/or receiving an accommodation will not affect your eligibility for any USCIS benefit you request. 7. Part 5. Applicant's Statement, Certification, Duty of Disclosure, and Signature. Select the appropriate box to indicate whether you read this application yourself or whether you had an interpreter assist you. Also, if someone assisted you in completing the application, select the box indicating that you used a preparer. Under \8 CFR section 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 application. Every application MUST contain the signature of the applicant. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable. 8. Part 6. Your Spouse's Statement, Certification, Duty of Disclosure, and Signature. Your spouse should select the appropriate box to indicate whether he or she read this application themselves or whether he or she had an interpreter assist them. If someone assisted your spouse in completing the application, select the box indicating that he or she used a preparer. Additionally, if you are married, 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 application. Every application MUST contain the signature of your spouse. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable. 9. Part 7. 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 application 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 application. 10. Part 8. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Application, If Other Than the Applicant and/or Spouse. This section must contain the signature of the person who completed your application, if other than you, the applicant. If the same individual acted as an interpreter and preparer for you and your spouse (if married), that person should complete both Part 7. and Part 8. If the person who completed this application 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 application MUST sign and date the application. 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 application 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 application. 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 application. 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. [Page 6] 11. Part 9. Additional Information. If you need extra space to provide any additional information within this application, use the space provided in Part 9. Additional Information. If you need more space than what is provided in Part 9., you may make copies of Part 9. to complete and file with your application, 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. [delete]
Page 13, DHS Privacy Notice	[Page 13] DHS Privacy Notice AUTHORITIES: This information requested on this application, 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 application is to determine if you are suitable and eligible to adopt an orphan. Filing this application allows USCIS to make an initial determination on your suitability and eligibility before you file Form I-600. DHS will use the information you provide to grant or deny your application. DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision in your case or result in denial of your application. ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this petition 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-005 – Inter-County Adoptions Security and DHS/USCIS-001 – Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records] and published privacy impact assessments [DHS/USCIS/PIA-007(b) Domestically Filed Intercounty Adoptions Applications and Petitions and DHS/USCIS/PIA-051 Case and Activity Management for International Operations], which you can find at www.dhs.privacy. DHS may also share the information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security. PRIVACY ACT WAIVER: Expect as permitted by the Privacy Act, 5 USC 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, 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.	[Page 13] DHS Privacy Notice The information requested on this petition, and the associated evidence, is collected under Immigration and Nationality Act sections 101(b)(1)(F), 103, 201, and 204, 8 CFR parts 204.1, 204.3, 204.301, and 8 CFR 204.311. PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this application is to determine is you are suitable and eligible to adopt a child. Filing this form allows USCIS to make an initial determination on your suitability and eligibility before you file Form I-600. DHS will use the information you provide to approve or deny your application. DISCOLSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision in your case or result in denial of your application. ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this application 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 and Background Check] and published privacy impact assessments [DHS/USCIS/PIA-007(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 this 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 USC 552a, applicable routine uses, 8 CFR 204.3(h)(2), and with respect to 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 applicant, 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 provided, 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 where not otherwise permitted by the Privacy Act, applicable routine uses, or in 8 CFR 204.3(h)(2), 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-600A.
Page 13, Paperwork reduction Act	[Page 13] 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 application, preparing statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the application. 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-600A to this address.	[Page 13] 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 application, preparing statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the application. The collection of biometrics is estimated to require 3 hours and 40 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-600A to this address.

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