Prepared by members
of LEEAF (Louisiana Eastern European Adoptive Families)
And revised by members of LAAF (Latin American Adoptive Families) June,
2006.
Adopting internationally, at first, may seem like a monumental undertaking.
When many of us began the process, we felt overwhelmed with many questions,
sometimes too much information, an inevitably a lot of paperwork. However,
if you take the process one step at a time you will be just fine! Hopefully
this step-by-step “checklist” will assist you along the way. It
contains explanations of each part of the process, a glossary of terms, and
list of book and website resources.
1. File for the
I-600A form---Approval to Adopt a Foreign Orphan
• Call USCIS (immigration) 1-800-870-3676; the United States Citizenship
And Immigration Services (USCIS) office is located at:
Metairie Centre, 3rd Floor -- Suite 300
2424 Edenborn Avenue
Metairie, LA 70001
Mailing Address:
USCIS
2424 Edenborn Avenue -- Suite 300 (Third Floor)
Metairie, LA 70001
• Request 2 copies of the I-600A form (orange)
It will arrive in a packet of immigration forms. Keep all forms.
• Please scedule an appointment via the Internet at:
www.infopass.uscis.gov
• At the appointment you will be fingerprinted and pay a fee of $525
plus $75/person (to be fingerprinted).
• If you have any questions, you may email Officer Keys at:
kelly.keys@dhs.gov
2. Obtain Passports
• If you do not already have a passport, apply for them at this time.
3. Begin the Homestudy
Process
• When adopting it is necessary to have a home study completed by a
licensed social worker and/or a licensed home study agency. (Your final USCIS)
approval is contingent upon the recommendation for approval by your home study
agency.)
• Obtain all documents for the social worker. He/She will send specific
forms to be filled out, but you can begin obtaining certain documents now.
This may include:
-copies of birth certificate(s)
-copies of marriage license (if married)
-names of friends, clergy, employer (up to 5) for references
4. Choose an Adoption Agency
• There are many agencies throughout the United States that handle both
domestic and international adoptions. Before choosing an agency, it is important
to do research and speak with people who have already adopted.
5. Complete the
Dossier
• Once you have chosen and applied to your agency, they will send you
the dossier packet to be completed.
• Forms must be filled out, notarized, certified, and authenticated.
6. Wait for Child
Referral
• Once the dossier is complete, and you have received USCIS approval,
you are then ready to wait for the referral of your child.
• The agency should consult with you about your child preference: age
and sex as well as medical conditions you are/are not willing to accept.
• The referral of your child will include a picture and medical history
(and sometimes a video).
7. Accepting Referral
and Travel
• Upon accepting the referral, you will receive notification from the
agency as to the date of travel to your child’s country.
• The agency should help answer any specific question you will have
about traveling and receiving your child.
8. The Adoption
• If adopting from Guatemala, the adoption will be formalized before
you travel.
IMPORTANT TERMS
Adoption Agency
The agency provides assistance for the adoptive parents, locates the prospective
adoptee, and aides in helping the adoptive parents bring home their child(ren).
Authentication
The consul of the country to which you are applying to adopt will attest to
the authenticity of the documents and letters by his seal and signature. This
step is done after the documents have been notarized and verified.
Dossier
The documentation necessary to process the adoption.
Home study
Completed by a state-licensed social worker: this is a background of the prospective
adoptive parents’ family life, home, finances, and other pertinent information.
USCIS
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services: office where you submit
I-600A, and receive the I-171H approval to adopt a foreign orphan.
Verification
The certification of a document at the state level. Documents are verified
after notarization.
It is important that you understand before you begin processing your paperwork
that you will be obtaining documents for three separate agencies, with specific
requirements, for any international adoption. They are as follows:
1. Your chosen adoption agency (Usually an out-of-state agency.)-Preparation
of your legal international dossier and adoption package. Once you have applied
with an agency, they will send you everything you need to know about preparing
your dossier. They will also send you forms to use and samples of letters
you may need.
2. Home study Agency (This will be a local agency)-Your social worker will interview you and meet with you several times before writing your home study. He/She will also send you forms and an application to fill out.
3. USCIS (United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services)-“Notice of Favorable Determination”
Approval to bring your child to the United States. In Louisiana, you will
be dealing with Officer Keys, who is located at the Metairie office.
He can answer any questions you may have about filing USCIS forms and about
your child’s citizenship. His email address is
kelly.keys@dhs.gov
