Advance Processing at a Glance: The Fastest Way

I. ADVANCE PROCESSING AT A GLANCE: THE FASTEST WAY

HOW TO START

1. File advance processing application before a child has been identified.
   
   
2. Locate a child to adopt who can be classified as an orphan according to the U.S. immigration law.*
   
   
3. File an orphan petition in behalf of the child.

FORMS AND DOCUMENTS

Advance Processing

1. Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition. The purpose of this application is to complete the part of the process relating to the prospective petitioner before a child is identified.
   
   
2. Proof of the prospective petitioner’s U.S. citizenship and, if the petitioner is married and residing in the United States, proof of the spouse’s U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status.
   
   
3. Fingerprints for each prospective adoptive parent and each adult member of the prospective adoptive parents’ household on Form FD-258. If the prospective adoptive parent(s) are in the United States, USCIS will schedule fingerprinting appointments after receiving the application. If the prospective adoptive parent(s) are abroad, fingerprints may be taken at a U.S. embassy, consulate, U.S. military installation or USCIS office. A complete definition of "adult member" can be found in Appendix B.
   
   
4. Proof of the marriage of the prospective petitioner and spouse, if married.
   
   
5. Proof of the legal termination of any prior marriages of the prospective petitioner and spouse or unmarried prospective petitioner, if applicable.
   
   
6. Proof of compliance with preadoption requirements, if any, of the state of the child’s proposed residence.
   
   
7. A favorably recommended home study that meets the requirements outlined in Section III, D of this publication. The home study must be submitted within one year of filing the advance processing application.
   
   
8. Required filing fee.
   
   

Orphan Petition **

1. Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative.
   
   
2. Proof of approval of the I-600A.
   
   
3. Proof of the child’s age and identity.
   
   
4. Proof that the child is an orphan as appropriate:
   
   
   1. proof that the child has been abandoned or deserted by, separated or lost from, both parents or that both parents have disappeared or died;
      
      
   2. death certificate(s) of the child’s parent(s), if applicable;
      
      
   3. proof that the child’s sole or surviving parent cannot give the child proper care and has, in writing, irrevocably released the child for emigration and adoption;
      
      
   4. proof that the child has been unconditionally abandoned to an orphanage, if the child is in an orphanage.
      
      
5. If there was no adoption abroad, proof that the preadoption requirements, if any, of the state of the child’s proposed residence have been met. This is also required if the child has been adopted abroad, but the adoption is not full and final, or if the unmarried adoptive parent, or both married adoptive parents, did not personally see the child prior to or during the adoption proceedings.
   
   
6. If there was no adoption abroad, proof that the prospective adoptive parent(s) have, or a person or entity working on behalf of the parent(s) has, legal custody of the child for emigration and adoption in the United States.
   
   
7. If the child has been adopted abroad, a final decree of adoption must be submitted. For the adoption to be recognized as full and final, proof must be submitted verifying that the unmarried adoptive parent, or both married adoptive parents, saw the child prior to or during adoption proceedings. If only one married adoptive parent or no adoptive parent saw the child, then procedures outlined in number 5 above must be followed.

* The U.S. immigration law refers to Section 101(b)(1)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

** If the I-600 is filed while an advance processing application is pending or within eighteen (18) months after a favorable decision in a completed advance processing case, no new filing fee is required.