Adoption process

	Step 1 Submit adoption application
	Step 2 Start your home study
	Step 3 Submit USCIS petition and fingerprints
	Step 4 Assemble the dossier
	Step 5 Identify a child
	Step 6 Travel to finalize adoption

Step 3 — Submit USCIS petition and fingerprints

To adopt internationally, every US citizen must obtain permission from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), formerly the INS, at the start of the adoption process. As soon as you decide to adopt internationally, you should complete and submit the following form to the USCIS:

I-600A Form

Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition

The form is 4 pages long, and is used to speed up the processing time for an orphan petition before a specific child has been selected for adoption. The I-600A form must be submitted to the district office with jurisdiction over the petitioner's place of residence. AMI will assist you with the completion of this petition, and identify the correct district office for you.

In addition to submitting the I-600A form, all adult members (18 years or older) of your household must be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting FBI criminal background checks. Fingerprints can be given at any authorized site, including USCIS offices, Application Support Centers (ASCs), designated law enforcement agencies, and U.S. consular offices and military installations abroad. Once the USCIS receives your I-600A petition, you will receive an appointment letter with the date and location for you and all other adult household members to be fingerprinted.

USCIS fees: The I-600A filing fee is currently set at $525. There is an additional $70 charge for fingerprinting, which must be paid for each household member over the age of 18. For example, for a married couple residing in the United States with one additional adult member in their household, total USCIS fees would be $735.00 ($525, plus 3 x $70).