Instructions pour le formulaire I-800A, Demande de détermination de la capacité d'adopter un enfant d'un pays signataire de la Convention
Formulaires associés
- Formulaire I-800A, Demande de détermination de la pertinence d'adopter un enfant d'un pays partie à la Convention - Demande de détermination de la pertinence d'adopter un enfant d'un pays partie à la Convention
- Formulaire I-800A Supplément 1, Liste des membres adultes du ménage - Demande de détermination de la pertinence d'adopter un enfant d'un pays partie à la Convention
- Formulaire I-800A Supplément 2, Consentement à communiquer des renseignements - Demande de détermination de la pertinence d'adopter un enfant d'un pays partie à la Convention
- Formulaire I-800A Supplément 3, Demande d'action sur le formulaire I-800A approuvé - Demande de détermination de la pertinence d'adopter un enfant d'un pays partie à la Convention
Instructions for Form I-800A, Application
for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a
Child from a Convention Country
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Instructions
Read these instructions carefully to properly complete this form. If you need more space to complete an answer, use a
separate sheet of paper. Write your name and USCIS Account Number, if known, at the top of each sheet of paper and
indicate the part and number of the item to which the answer refers.
NOTE: Do not use this form if you intend to adopt a child
from a country other than a Convention country. See the
What Is the Purpose of This Form?
instructions provided on Form I-600A, Application for
The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-
operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the
Convention) entered into force with respect to the United
States on April 1, 2008. The Convention strengthens
protections for children, birth parents, and prospective
adoptive parent(s), and establishes internationally agreed upon
rules and procedures for adoptions between countries that
have a treaty relationship under the Convention (Convention
countries). It ultimately provides a framework for member
countries to work together to ensure that children are provided
with permanent, loving homes, that adoptions take place in the
best interests of a child, and that the abduction, sale, or traffic
in children is prevented.
Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, and Form I-600,
Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, for
additional information.
If you filed Form I-600A and/or Form I-600 prior to April 1,
2008, and you intend to adopt a child from a Convention
country, you may continue to have your case processed
according to governing regulations for eligibility as an orphan.
Do not use Form I-800A if you wish to continue your case
under the provisions of existing orphan regulations.
CAUTION:
Do not accept any adoption placement before USCIS has
approved Form I-800A. You must also refrain from any
contact with the parent(s), legal custodian(s), or other
individual or entity responsible for the care of a child who
may be eligible for intercountry adoption until the contact is
permissible under Article 29 of the Convention.
A Convention country is defined as a country that is a party to
the Convention and with which the Convention is in force
with respect to the United States. To obtain a current listing of
Convention countries, visit the U.S. Department of State
intercountry adoptions can be found on the USCIS Internet
Once the Central Authority of the child’s Convention country
has proposed an adoption placement, and you have accepted it,
you must file Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention
Adoptee as an Immediate Relative, before you adopt or obtain
custody of the child. You may not file Form I-800 until the
Form I-800A has been approved.
Use Form I-800A, Application for Determination of
Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country, to
initiate the immigration process if you intend to adopt a child
who habitually resides in a Convention country. Form I-800A
and supporting evidence are required for USCIS to determine
your eligibility and suitability to adopt a Convention child.
Do not adopt or obtain custody of the child until after:
1. USCIS has approved Form I-800A; and
When Should I Use Form I-800A?
2. You have obtained provisional approval of Form I-800,
Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate
Relative; and
You should use Form I-800A if you are a U.S. citizen who
habitually resides in the United States and you intend to adopt
a child who is a habitual resident of a Convention country.
See "Who May File This Form I-800A?" of these
instructions for more information on who may submit this
application.
3. The U.S. Department of State has provided to the Central
Authority of the child's country of origin the notice, under
Article 5 of the Convention, that the adoption or custody
proceeding may be completed.
Form I-800A Instructions (Rev. 03/10/17) N
NOTE: Central Authority means the entity designated as
such by a Convention country under Article 6(1) of the
Convention. In the United States, the U.S. Department of State
is the Central Authority. Central Authority also means an
individual who, or entity that, is performing a Central
Authority function, having been authorized to do so by the
designate Central Authority, in accordance with the
2. You are an unmarried individual who is not a U.S. citizen;
3. You are a U.S. citizen who is still legally married but
separated from your spouse, unless your spouse will join in
the adoption and filing of this application and subsequent
Form I-800; or
4. You intend to adopt a child from a country other than a
Convention and the law of the Central Authority’s country.
Convention country.
Who May File Form I-800A?
Role of Service Provider
You may file this application if you are a U.S. citizen who
habitually resides in the United States. You are a habitual
resident of the United States if:
Adoption Service Provider
An individual or entity must be authorized under 22 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 96 to provide adoption
services in connection with a Convention adoption. You
should specifically ask any adoption service provider whether
they are authorized under 22 CFR Part 96 to provide adoption
services in connection with Convention adoptions before
engaging the services of that provider.
1. You are domiciled in the United States; or
2. You are domiciled in the United States, even if temporarily
living outside the United States; or
3. You are not currently domiciled in the United States, but
you will establish a domicile in the United States on or
before the date of the child's admission to the United States
for permanent residence as a Convention adoptee; or
Legal Services
Only an individual who is licensed in the United States as an
attorney, or who is otherwise permitted under 8 CFR Part 292
to practice before USCIS, may give you legal advice
concerning your Form I-800A, or provide any other legal
services concerning your Form I-800A. You should
4. You are domiciled abroad, but you intend, after you
complete the child’s adoption abroad, to bring the child to
the United States before the child’s 18th birthday, so that
the child may obtain naturalization as a U.S. citizen.
specifically ask anyone providing you with legal advice if they
are licensed or otherwise permitted by regulation to provide
you with legal advice pertaining to immigration processes.
And:
5. You are unmarried and at least 24 years of age; or
6. You are married and you and your spouse will both adopt a
child based on the approval of Form I-800A; and
General Instructions
7. If you are married, your spouse is either a U.S. citizen, a
non-citizen U.S. national, or an alien who, if living in the
United States, holds a lawful status under U.S. immigration
law. If your spouse is not a U.S. citizen or national and is
in the United States in a lawful status other than the status
of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, such
status will be a factor in determining whether your family
situation is sufficiently stable to support a finding that you
and your spouse are suitable as the adoptive parents of a
child from a Convention country.
Step 1. Fill Out Form I-800A
1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
2. If extra space is needed to complete any item, attach a
continuation sheet, indicate the part and the number of the
item, and date and sign each sheet. In addition, write your
name and USCIS Account Number, if known, at the top of
each sheet of paper.
3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. State that an
item is not applicable with "N/A." If the answer is none,
write "None."
Who May Not File Form I-800A?
This form is divided into Parts 1 through 5 as well as three
supplements. Form I-800A, Supplement 1, must be
completed if there are additional adult members of the
household residing with you. Form I-800A, Supplement 2,
You may not file Form I-800A if:
1. You and your spouse are a married couple but neither of
you is a U.S. citizen;
Form I-800A Instructions (Rev. 03/10/17) N Page 2
must be completed if you wish to give written consent for
USCIS to disclose information about your case to your
adoption service provider. Form I-800A, Supplement 3,
must be completed if you are requesting that some type of
action be taken on an approved Form I-800A (extension,
change, etc.) and you have not yet filed Form I-800.
Numbers 2 through 9 - Provide the requested information.
Provide additional information on a separate sheet of paper if
necessary.
Number 10 - You must answer each question. If the answer
is “Yes” to any of the questions, you must provide a certified
copy of the documentation showing the final disposition of
each incident which resulted in arrest, indictment, conviction,
and/or any other judicial or administrative action. You must
also provide a written statement giving details, including any
mitigating circumstances, about each arrest, signed under
penalty of perjury under U.S. law.
The following information will help you fill out the form.
Part 1. Information About You
Number 1 - Provide the requested information about you.
Family Name (Last Name) - Use your legal name. If you
have two last names, include both and use a hyphen (-)
between the names, if appropriate.
The written statement must show the date of each incident;
place incident occurred (city/town, State/province, country);
name of police department or other law enforcement
administration or other entity involved; and date of
incarceration and name of facility, if applicable. Also provide
a description of any type of counseling, rehabilitation, or other
information that you would like to be considered. (See Page 7
of these instructions for information concerning your duty to
disclose information.)
Other Names Used - Give any other names used or by
which you have been known. Include maiden names,
aliases, etc.
USCIS Account # - This is a unique USCIS Account
Number for customers filing applications for an
intercountry adoption. Provide your USCIS Account
Number if you have already been assigned one. If this is
your first time submitting an application for an
Part 2. Information About Your Spouse
intercountry adoption with USCIS, and you have not been
assigned one or do not know your USCIS Account
Number, you are not required to provide one, and this will
not this adversely affect the processing of your application.
Numbers 1 through 7 - Provide the requested information.
Where required, provide additional information on a separate
sheet of paper.
Number 8 - You must answer each question. If the answer is
“Yes” to any of the questions, follow the instructions provided
in Part 1, Number 10.
NOTE: If you have previously filed an application with
USCIS for an intercountry adoption under the Hague
Convention, you and your spouse (if married) should have
been assigned separate USCIS Account Numbers. If this
applies to you, USCIS would have notified you of any
assigned USCIS Account Numbers that exist.
Part 3. General Information
Numbers 1 through 8 - Give all requested information.
Failure to provide the requested information may cause a
delay in processing your application, or may result in a denial
of your application.
Social Security # (if any) - Provide your Social Security
Number.
Date of Birth - Use eight numbers to show your date of
birth. (Example: May 1, 1979, must be written
05/01/1979.)
Part 4. Certification and Signature of You,
the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)
"Your Signature" block of Form I-800A must be executed
by you, the applicant. If married, your spouse must execute
the "Signature of Spouse" block. Failure to do so will result
in the rejection of Form I-800A.
Place of Birth - Give the name of the place where you
were born. Include the city, State or province, and
country.
Home Address - Give your physical street address where
you actually reside. This must include a street number and
name or a rural route number. Do not put a post office box
(P.O. Box) number here.
NOTE: One spouse cannot sign for the other, even under a
power of attorney or similar agency arrangement.
Part 5. Signature of Person Preparing
Form, if Other Than Applicant
Mailing Address - Give your mailing address if different
from your home address. Include province and postal
code, if applicable.
1. If you did not complete Form I-800A, the preparer who
Form I-800A Instructions (Rev. 03/10/17) N Page 3
filled out the application must also sign, date, and give his
or her address.
2. A new approval notice based on changes in circumstances
since your Form I-800A was approved.
2. If the preparer is a business or organization, its name must
3. A change in Convention country.
4. A duplicate approval notice.
be included on the application.
Form I-800A, Supplement 1, Listing
of Adult Member of the Household
Step 2. General Requirements
If there are any additional adult members residing in your
household other than you and your spouse (if married), Form
I-800A, Supplement 1, Listing of Adult Member of the
Household, must be completed for each of the adult members
in your household. For purposes of this supplement, the
definition of adult member of the household is any individual
who has the same principal residence as you and who reached
his or her 18th birthday on or before the date Form I-800A is
filed.
Evidence. Attach copies, showing front and back, of the
documents you need to support your application. Do not send
original documents unless instructed to do so. (Examples
of original documents that must be submitted include:
affidavits, medical examinations, or formal consultations.)
You must submit the following documents:
1. Proof that you are a U.S. citizen. Examples of such proof
include:
NOTE: USCIS reserves the right to request information on
any person who has not yet reached his or her 18th birthday
before the date Form I-800A is filed, or who does not actually
live at the same residence, but whose presence in the residence
is relevant to the issue of your (and your spouse, if applicable)
suitability to adopt.
A. A birth certificate that was issued by a civil authority
and that establishes birth in the United States;
B. An unexpired U.S. passport issued initially for a full
10-year period showing U.S. citizenship (and not a
noncitizen national);
Form I-800A Supplement 2,
Consent to Disclose Information
C. A statement executed by a U.S. consular officer
certifying you are a U.S. citizen and the bearer of a
currently valid U.S. passport;
If you want to give consent for USCIS to disclose information
about your case to your adoption service provider, you must
complete Form I-800A, Supplement 2, Consent to Disclose
Information. You are not required to give this consent in
order to file Form I-800A.
D. A Certificate of Naturalization;
E. A Certificate of Citizenship; or
F. An FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the
Form I-800A Supplement 3, Request
for Action on Approved Form I-800A
United States, issued by a U.S. Embassy or consulate.
2. If your spouse (if married) is a U.S. citizen or national
of the United States, proof of such status. Examples of
such proof include:
Use Form I-800A, Supplement 3, to request the following:
1. An extension of your approved Form I-800A.
A. A birth certificate that was issued by a civil authority
and that establishes birth in the United States or in an
outlying possession of the United States;
NOTE: File this supplement if the validity period for your
Form I-800A approval is about to expire and you have not yet
filed Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as
an Immediate Relative.
B. An unexpired U.S. passport issued initially for a full
10-year period showing U.S. citizenship or nationality;
Your Form I-800A approval notice indicates the date on which
the approval notice expires. You may not file Form I-800A,
Supplement 3, more than 90 days before that expiration
date, but must file it no later than that expiration date. If
Form I-800A approval expires prior to submission of Form
I-800A, Supplement 3, then a complete Form I-800A
application and fee must be submitted for any new period of
approval.
C. A statement executed by a U.S. consular officer
certifying your spouse as a U.S. citizen or national and
the bearer of a currently valid U.S. passport;
D. A Certificate of Naturalization;
E. A Certificate of Citizenship; or
Form I-800A Instructions (Rev. 03/10/17) N Page 4
F. An FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the
7. Home Study. The home study must be prepared by an
authorized home study preparer. 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 personally sign the home study and any
updated or amended home study under penalty of perjury
under U.S. law.
United States, issued by a U.S. Embassy or consulate.
3. If your spouse (if married) is not a U.S. citizen or
national, proof of lawful status in the United States. Your
spouse must be in a lawful immigration status if residing in
the United States. Examples of evidence establishing a
lawful status (such as a lawful permanent resident, valid
non-immigrant, refugee, asylee, etc.) include:
A home study preparer is an individual or agency
authorized to conduct home studies for Convention
adoption cases, either as a public domestic authority, an
accredited agency, a temporarily accredited agency,
approved person, supervised provider, or exempted
provider. The home study preparer (other than a public
domestic authority) must hold any license or other
authorization that may be required to conduct adoption
home studies under the law of the jurisdiction in which the
home study is prepared. You should specifically ask any
adoption service provider whether they are authorized to
provide adoption services in connection with Convention
adoptions according to 22 CFR Part 96 before engaging
the services that provider.
A. I-551, Permanent Resident Card;
B. I-94, Arrival-Departure Document;
C. Valid passport indicating current status; or
D. Other U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
issued document.
4. If your spouse (if married) is not a resident of the
United States, proof of his or her name, identity, and
citizenship. An example of such proof is a copy of his or
her passport from the country of citizenship.
5. Proof of marital status (if applicable). If you are
married, you must submit a copy of the marriage certificate
and proof of termination of all prior marriages of you or
your spouse. If you are now unmarried but were previously
married, submit proof of termination of all prior marriages.
Examples of such proof include:
NOTE: An accredited agency or temporarily accredited
agency must review and approve any home study that has
not been performed by an accredited agency or temporarily
accredited agency before it is submitted to USCIS. This
requirement does not apply to a home study that was
actually prepared by a public domestic authority. A public
domestic authority means an authority operated by a State,
local, or tribal government within the United States.
A. Divorce decree;
B. Annulment decree or other legal termination;
C. Death certificate of previous spouse.
The home study must be submitted with your
application. The only exception to this requirement is if
you live where an appropriate State authority must review
and approve a home study before it is submitted to USCIS.
In such a case, do not file Form I-800A until that
appropriate State authority has reviewed your home study
and is ready to submit it to USCIS.
Any of the above documents must be issued by a civil
registrar, vital statistics office, or other civil authority.
6. Evidence of compliance with preadoption requirements,
if any. If the State of the child's proposed residence has
any preadoption requirements, these requirements must be
complied with if the Convention adoptee is coming to be
adopted in the United States. A qualified Convention
adoptee is deemed to be coming to be adopted in the
United States if either of the following factors exists:
If your Form I-800A is submitted without the home study
because your State of residence must review and forward
the home study directly to USCIS, indicate that fact on
your application (Part 3, Item 1).
If you submit your application without a home study
because you indicate that it will be forwarded to USCIS
directly by the State authority, USCIS will send you a
notice providing you with the date by which the home
study must be submitted. If the State authority fails to
submit the home study by the date specified, USCIS may
deny your Form I-800A. Thus, you or the accredited
agency will need to work closely with your State authority
to ensure that the home study is submitted on time.
A. The applicant/petitioner will not complete the child's
adoption abroad; or
B. In the case of a married applicant/petitioner, the child
was adopted abroad only by one of the spouses, rather
than by the spouses jointly, so that it will be necessary
for the other spouse to adopt the child after the child's
admission.
Form I-800A Instructions (Rev. 03/10/17) N Page 5
In all cases, the home study must not be more than 6
months old when submitted to USCIS. If it is more than 6
months old when submitted, you must include an update or
amendment that is not more than 6 months old.
D. Change to different Convention country. This
change requires the updated home study to address
suitability under the requirements of the new
Convention country.
E. If, prior to the Convention child's immigration to
the United States, there is an addition of one or
more children to your home, whether through
adoption, foster care, birth, or any other means, an
amended home study is required. This requirement
must be met even if the original home study
recommended the adoption of more than one
Convention child. The amended home study must
recommend the adoption of an additional child,
because the actual placement of one or more child(ren)
in your household after the home study was completed,
is a significant change in the household which must be
assessed before the adoption of any additional child
(ren).
Home Study Requirements
For a complete description of the requirements that a home
study must meet, see 8 CFR Part 204.311 and 22 CFR Part
96.
NOTE: You can find information on immigration laws,
regulations, and procedures by visiting our Internet
Home study updates and amendments
Ordinarily, a home study will not have to be updated or
amended after it has been submitted to USCIS unless there
is a significant change in your household since the home
study was completed. Listed below are examples of
significant changes that require a home study amendment
or update. Note that the list of changes below is not
exhaustive. Your adoption service provider can advise you
regarding other changes which may require an amended or
updated home study.
F. The addition of other dependents or adult
member(s) of the household to the family prior to the
prospective child's immigration to the United States.
G. Change because you are seeking to adopt a
handicapped or special needs child, if the home
study did not already address your suitability as the
adoptive parent of a child with the particular handicap
or special need.
A. Change in marital status. An approved Form I-800A
will be revoked automatically if you are an unmarried
prospective adoptive parent who marries, or if your
current marriage ends. Revocation of the approval of
Form I-800A will be without prejudice to the filing of a
new Form I-800A.
H. A lapse of more than 6 months between the date the
home study is completed and the date it is submitted to
USCIS.
If the change in marital status is:
I. Change in the number of children or characteristics
(such as age and/or gender) of the child(ren) you intend
to adopt.
1. While your application is pending, you must
submit an updated or amended home study with a
new Form I-800A, that reflects your changed marital
status and required signature(s). No fee is required.
Filing updates and amendments to the home study
If it becomes necessary to file an updated or amended
home study, it must always be accompanied by a copy of
the home study that is being updated or amended,
including all prior updates and amendments.
2. After your application has been approved, a new
Form I-800A, which reflects your new marital
status, will be required, along with an updated and
amended home study. The fee is required.
If submission of an updated or amended home study
becomes necessary after USCIS has approved Form
I-800A, you must file Form I-800A, Supplement 3, with
the filing fee. The only exceptions to this fee requirement
are if you are seeking your first extension or your first
request to change to a different Convention country.
B. Change of residence including change in the child's
proposed State of residence. The preadoption
requirements, if any, of any new State of residence
must be complied with in the case of a child coming to
the United States to be adopted.
C. Any change in history of arrest, child abuse,
substance abuse, or domestic violence for you, your
spouse (if married), or any household member
regardless of age.
NOTE: A change in marital status after approval of Form
I-800A always requires the filing of a new Form I-800A
with a new home study and fee.
Form I-800A Instructions (Rev. 03/10/17) N Page 6
File Form I-800A, Supplement 3, with the USCIS office
where your Form I-800A was approved. Form 1-800A,
Supplement 3, must be submitted and approved before you
may file Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention
Adoptee as an Immediate Relative, on behalf of a specific
Convention adoptee.
With respect to child abuse or neglect, this duty of
disclosure requires the disclosure of any currently
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, as
well as past investigation other than an investigation
that has been completed and formally closed based on a
finding that the allegation of abuse or neglect was
unfounded or unsubstantiated.
If USCIS determines that the amended or updated home
study shows that you and your spouse (if married) remain
suitable adoptive parent(s) for a Convention adoptee, a
new approval notice will be issued which will have the
same expiration date as the original approval, unless the
amended home study was submitted in support of a request
for extension of approval.
This duty of disclosure is an ongoing duty, and
continues while your Form I-800A is pending, after
Form I-800A is approved, and also while any Form
I-800 that you may file is pending and until there is a
final decision admitting a child, on whose behalf you
filed Form I-800, to the United States with a visa.
If submission of an updated or amended home study
becomes necessary before USCIS adjudicates Form
I-800A, you may submit the updated or amended home
study to the office that has jurisdiction over Form I-800A
with no fee. Form I-800A, Supplement 3, is not required.
WARNING:
NOTE: A change in marital status while Form I-800A is
pending will require the filing of a new form I-800A with a
new home study but without a fee.
Under 8 CFR Part 204.309(a), this application will be
denied if you, your spouse, or any adult member of the
household:
Duty of Disclosure:
A. Fail to disclose to the home study preparer or to
USCIS, or conceal, or misrepresent, any fact(s) about
any arrest, conviction, or history of substance abuse,
sexual abuse, child abuse, and/or family violence, or
any other criminal history as an offender. The fact
that an arrest or conviction or other criminal
history has been expunged, sealed, pardoned, or the
subject of any other amelioration does not relieve
you, your spouse, or any additional adult member
of the household of the obligation to disclose the
arrest, conviction, or other criminal history;
Under 8 CFR Part 204.311(d), you, your spouse, and
any adult member of your household have a duty of
candor in completing Form I-800A and home study
process. This duty requires you, your spouse, and any
member of your household, to:
1. Give true and complete information to the home
study preparer; and
2. Disclose other relevant information, such as
physical, mental, or emotional health problems; and
B. Fail to cooperate in having available child abuse
registries checked in accordance with 8 CFR Part
204.311;
3. Disclose any arrest, conviction, or other adverse
criminal history, whether in the United States or
abroad, even if the record of the arrest,
C. Fail to disclose, as required by 8 CFR Part 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 the household for adoption or custodial
care.
conviction, or other adverse criminal history has
been expunged, sealed, pardoned, or the subject
of any other amelioration; and
4. Disclose any history of substance abuse, sexual
abuse or child abuse, and/or family violence as an
offender; and
As part of the USCIS biometrics services requirement, the
following persons must be fingerprinted in connection with
this application:
5. Notify the home study preparer and USCIS of any
new event or information that might warrant
submission of an amended or updated home study.
A. You and your spouse (if married); and
Form I-800A Instructions (Rev. 03/10/17) N Page 7
B. Each additional member of your household who is 18
years of age or older, or any person whose presence in
the residence is relevant to the issue of your (and your
spouse, if applicable) suitability to adopt, as determined
by USCIS.
For private courier (non-USPS) deliveries, use the
following address:
USCIS
ATTN: Hague
2501 S. State Highway 121 Business, Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
NOTE: After submission of Form I-800A, USCIS will
notify each person regarding when and where to go for
biometrics services. Failure to be fingerprinted may result
in a denial of this application.
You must submit your Form I-800A Supplement 3, Request
for Action on Approved Form I-800A, to the USCIS Dallas
Lockbox facility regardless of where your original Form
I-800A was filed.
Translations. Any document containing a foreign language
submitted to USCIS shall be accompanied by a full English
language translation which the translator has certified as
complete and accurate, and by the translator's certification that
he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language
into English.
you file, and check the “Immigration Forms” page to confirm
the correct filing location or any changes to the filing process.
What Is the Filing Fee?
Copies. Unless specifically required that an original
document be filed with an application or petition, an ordinary
legible photocopy may be submitted. Original documents
submitted when not required will remain a part of the record,
even if the submission was not required.
The filing fee for Form I-800A is as follows:
1. If you are filing Form I-800A, the filing fee is $775.
An additional biometrics fingerprint fee of $85 must be
paid for each person residing in your household who is 18
years of age or older. (For example: If you are married
and another adult is living in your household, you will pay
$775 plus an additional $255 fingerprint fee (3 x $85), for a
total of $1,030.) See “Biometrics services for applicants
residing abroad” on the following page.
Affidavits. If a required document cannot be obtained, you
must submit an original written statement from the
governmental agency that should have the record, verifying
that the record does not exist. Only then may you submit
written affidavits sworn to or affirmed by two persons who
were living at the time and who have personal knowledge of
the event and circumstances you are trying to prove. Each
affidavit must contain the affiant's full name, address, date and
place of birth, and signature. The affidavit must provide full
information concerning the event and complete details of how
the affiant acquired the information.
2. There is no filing fee for Form I-800A, Supplement 1.
3. There is no filing fee for Form I-800A, Supplement 2.
4. If you are filing Form I-800A, Supplement 3, the fee
schedule is as follows:
A. If you are filing for your FIRST extension of the
approval of your Form I-800A and you have not yet
submitted Form I-800 on behalf of a specific child,
there is no filing fee and no biometrics fee.
Where to File?
You must always file your Form I-800A with USCIS Dallas
Lockbox facility. It will then be routed to, and adjudicated at,
the National Benefits Center.
While there is no additional biometrics fingerprint fee,
you, your spouse (if married), and each person residing
in your household who is 18 years of age or older must
have his or her fingerprints retaken.
Form I-800A must be mailed to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox
facility address as follows:
B. If you are filing for a SECOND or SUBSEQUENT
extension of the approval of your Form I-800A and you
have not yet submitted Form I-800 on behalf of a
specific child, the filing fee is $385.
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries, use the
following P.O. Box number:
USCIS
P.O. Box 660087
Dallas, TX 75266
You, your spouse (if married), and each person residing
in your household who is 18 years of age or older must
also pay the additional biometrics fingerprint fee of $85.
Form I-800A Instructions (Rev. 03/10/17) N Page 8
C. If you are filing for a new approval notice based on
changes in circumstances since your Form I-800A was
approved, you are not requesting an extension, and you
have not yet submitted Form I-800 on behalf of a
specific child, the filing fee is $385.
The fingerprint card must be prepared by a U.S. Embassy or
U.S. Consulate, USCIS office, or U.S. military installation.
Contact the USCIS office where Form I-800A is to be filed for
additional information on obtaining fingerprints when filing
outside the United States.
You must also pay an additional biometrics fingerprint
fee of $85 if the change in circumstance is based on the
addition of a new adult member of your household (18
years of age or older).
Note for Petitioners Residing Abroad: You, your spouse (if
married), and each adult member of the household MUST
provide biometrics:
1. USCIS will inform a person residing abroad if he or she
D. If you are filing for a FIRST TIME change in
Convention country, you are not requesting an
must pay a USCIS biometric services fee.
extension and you have not yet submitted Form I-800
on behalf of a specific child, there is no filing fee and
no biometrics fee and no biometrics requirements.
2. The U.S. Department of State or U.S. military installations
abroad may also charge biometric services fees.
3. Contact the nearest USCIS international office, U.S.
Embassy, or U.S. Consulate for instructions on fees and the
method of payment.
E. If you are filing for a SECOND or SUBSEQUENT
change in Convention country, you are not requesting
an extension, and you have not yet submitted Form
I-800 on behalf of a specific child, the filing fee is
$385. There is no biometrics fee and no biometrics
requirements.
You may submit one check or money order for both the
application and biometrics fees.
NOTE: The filing fee and biometric services fee are not
refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this
application. DO NOT MAIL CASH. You must submit all
fees in the exact amounts.
F. If you are filing for a duplicate approval notice, you are
not requesting an extension, and there has been no
change in circumstances since your Form I-800A was
approved, the filing fee is $385. There is no
biometrics fee and no biometrics requirements.
Use the following guidelines when you prepare your check
or money order for Form I-800A and the biometric service
fee:
NOTE: Change in the number of children you intend
to adopt. If you wish to add to the number of children you
intend to adopt and the children are not already siblings
before the proposed adoption, you may file Form I-800A,
Supplement 3, with the required filing fee of $385.
However, an additional filing fee of $775 will be required
when you file Form I-800 for the second or subsequent
child. Because of this, you may wish to file a new Form
I-800A instead of Form I-800A, Supplement 3. If the
children are already siblings before the proposed adoption,
there will be no fee for additional I-800 forms and you may
continue with Form I-800A, Supplement 3.
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."
3. If you live outside the United States, contact the nearest
U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate for instructions on the
method of payment.
Biometrics services for applicants residing in the United
States. After filing this application, USCIS will notify each
person in writing of the time and location where they must go
to be fingerprinted. Failure to appear for fingerprinting or for
other biometrics services may result in denial of this
application.
Notice to Those Making Payment by Check. If you send us
a check, USCIS 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.
Biometrics services for applicants residing abroad. A
completed Form FD-258, Applicant Fingerprint Card, is
required for each person with a biometrics requirement.
Form I-800A Instructions (Rev. 03/10/17) N Page 9
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 the check is returned as
unpayable a second time, we will reject your application and
charge you a returned check fee.
Decision. If USCIS approves your application, you will
receive a written notice which will include a specific period of
approval. The period of approval will be determined to be 15
months from the date that USCIS was notified of your
fingerprint record check results. In the case of more than one
required fingerprint record for a married couple or a household
with additional adult household members, the approval period
will expire 15 months from the earliest fingerprint record
response.
How to Check If the Fees Are Correct
Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an
Immediate Relative, may only be filed on behalf of a specific
child during the 15-month validity period of approval of Form
I-800A or extension thereof.
Form I-800A's filing fee and biometric services fee are current
as of the edition date in the lower right corner of this page.
However, because USCIS fees change periodically, you can
verify that the fees are correct by following one of the steps
below.
You are entitled to request one extension of this approval
period with no additional fee and a second or subsequent
extension of the approval with the fee. In either case, you
may only file for an extension if Form I-800 has not yet been
submitted on behalf of a specific child.
check the appropriate fee; or
Your request to extend this approval, filed on Form I-800A,
Supplement 3, must be received by USCIS prior to the
expiration of the period of approval indicated on the Form
I-800A approval notice.
2. Call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at
1-800-375-5283 and ask for fee information. For TTY
(deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.
NOTE: If your Form I-800A requires payment of a
biometrics services fee for USCIS to take your fingerprints
and photograph, you can follow the steps above to obtain the
correct biometrics services fee.
If the Form I-800A extension or approval expires prior to
submission of an associated Form I-800, then a complete
Form I-800A application and fee must be submitted.
Once your application has been approved or extended by
USCIS, your adoption service provider must ensure that the
same home study that was submitted to USCIS is transmitted
to the Central Authority of the Convention country from
which you intend to adopt a child.
Processing Information
Any Form I-800A that is not signed or accompanied by the
correct fee will be rejected with a notice that Form I-800A
is deficient. You may correct the deficiency and resubmit
Form I-800A. An application or petition is not considered
properly filed until accepted by USCIS.
USCIS Forms and Information
To ensure you are using the latest version of this application,
obtain the latest USCIS forms and immigration-related
information. If you do not have internet access, you may
order USCIS forms by calling the USCIS Contact Center at
1-800-375-5283. The USCIS Contact Center provides
information in English and Spanish. For TTY (deaf or hard of
hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.
Initial processing. Once Form I-800A has been accepted, it
will be checked for completeness, including submission of the
required initial evidence. If you do not completely fill out the
form, or file it without required initial evidence, you will not
establish a basis for eligibility, and we may deny your Form
I-800A.
Instead of waiting in line for assistance at your local USCIS
office, you can schedule an appointment online at
Tools,” select “Appointments” 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.
Requests for more information or interview. We may
request more information or evidence, or we may request that
you appear at a USCIS office for an interview. We may also
request that you submit the originals of any copy. We will
return these originals when they are no longer required.
Form I-800A Instructions (Rev. 03/10/17) N Page 10
Notice to Household Members: You are not the "applicant"
who is filing Form I-800A. As a member of the applicant's
household, however, information about you may be relevant to
the adjudication of the applicant's Form I-800A. Under 8 CFR
Part 103.2(b)(16), the applicant is entitled to review any
information that may be used as evidence supporting a denial
of Form I-800A. By signing Form I-800A, Supplement 1,
therefore, you are giving consent for USCIS to disclose to the
applicant and adoption service provider information that
USCIS may obtain about you that is relevant to the
Penalties
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material
fact or submit a false document with your Form I-800A, we
will deny your Form I-800A and may deny any other
immigration benefit.
In addition, you will face severe penalties provided by law and
may be subject to criminal prosecution.
adjudication of the applicant's Form I-800A, even if the
Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a might otherwise prevent disclosure
of the information to the applicant.
Privacy Act Notice
USCIS will use the information on Form I-800A to determine
eligibility for the requested immigration benefit. We may
provide information on your application to other government
agencies.
USCIS may not disclose or give access to any information or
record relating to any applicant or petitioner, spouse (if
applicable), or adult member of the household who has filed
Form I-800A or Form I-800 to any individual or entity other
than that person, including but not limited to an accredited
agency, temporarily accredited agency, approved person,
exempted provider, or supervised provider, unless written
consent is given, as provided by the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C.
552a.
If you want to give consent for USCIS to disclose information
about your case to your adoption service provider, you must
complete Form I-800A, Supplement 2, Consent to Disclose
Information. You are not required to give this consent in order
to file Form I-800A. The adoption service provider
information you provide in Form I-800A, Supplement 2, must
relate to the accredited agency who prepared or reviewed your
home study, or the public domestic authority who prepared
your home study, or the primary adoption service provider as
defined in 22 CFR Part 96.2, if a primary adoption service
provider has already been identified.
In a Convention adoption, a primary adoption service provider
is the accredited, or temporarily accredited agency, or
approved person who is responsible under 22 CFR Part 96.14,
for the six adoption services defined in 22 CFR Part 96.2, and
for supervising and being responsible for supervised providers
where used.
Form I-800A Instructions (Rev. 03/10/17) N Page 11