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Інструкція по формуванню I-800A, застосування для визначення доцільності прийняття дитини з Конвенційної країни

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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  
website at www.travel.state.gov. Additional information on  
intercountry adoptions can be found on the USCIS Internet  
website at www.uscis.gov.  
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  
website at www.uscis.gov.  
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.  
NOTE: Visit our website online at www.uscis.gov before  
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.  
1. Visit our website at www.uscis.gov, select "FORMS," and  
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,  
visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov where you can  
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  
www.uscis.gov. Select “Tools,” then under “Self Service  
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