Orphan Petitions (I-600A and I-600)

U.S. citizens contemplating an international adoption should become familiar with the information provided on our website. Information is also available on the Department of State website on International Adoptions.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the U.S. Embassy in Rome accepts I-600A petitions by mail or at InfoPass appointments from U.S. citizens who reside in our jurisdiction. I-600 petitions are normally filed at Consular Posts where the respective child resides. In certain situations, the petition will be filed in another office. Please contact USCIS, the Immigrant Visa issuing post, or the adoption agency for more information. Our jurisdiction includes Italy, Algeria, Andorra, France, Gibraltar, Holy See, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Monaco, Morocco, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Tunisia, and Western Sahara.

ADOPTED CHILDREN UNDER THE HAGUE CONVENTION – TRANSITION CASES

Under section 505 of the Intercountry Adoption Act, U.S. law does not require adoptive parents to follow Convention procedures to adopt a child from a Convention country, if the Form I-600A or Form I-600 was filed before the Convention entered into force. If USCIS extends the approval of the Form I-600A that was filed before the Convention enters into force, the prospective adoptive parent(s) will be able to file a Form I-600 in behalf of a child from a Convention country, after the Convention enters into force, so long as it is filed before the approval, or extension of approval, of Form I-600A expires.

Section 505, however, is not binding on another Convention country. Although U.S. law may permit you to continue to use the orphan process, because you filed a Form I-600A or Form I-600 before the Convention entered into force, the other Convention country may have its own rules on how to handle these transition cases. If, under the other Convention country’s law, you must follow the Convention process, then you may not be able to adopt a child from that country, unless you do so.

Forms

• Form I-600A
• Form I-600

Supporting Documentation to submit with your Petition

Very Important - Do not send original documents with the petition! Photocopies are acceptable.

• Official Translations: Any supporting documentation that you provide that is in a language other than English must be accompanied by a complete English translation. The translation must be completed by an independent party. The party providing the translation must note that his/her work is accurate and that he/she is competent to translate. The full name of the translator, address and contact information is also required.
  
• Proof of United States Citizenship: Photocopies of your biographical page from your and your spouse's (if married) U.S. passports are sufficient. You may also provide your and your spouse's (if married) state issued birth certificate or naturalization certificate. A hospital birth certificate or military ID card is not acceptable.
  
• Marriage Certificate: Provide a marriage certificate issued by a public authority to show that a public record exists of the marriage between you and your spouse (if applicable).
  
• Evidence of Termination of All Prior Marriage(s): Provide a death certificate, record of annulment, or divorce decree (absolute or final) issued by a public authority to show that a public record exists of the death or of the termination of all prior marriage(s) for both you and your spouse.
  
• Record of Name Change: If either you or your spouse is using a name other than that shown on the relevant documents, you must provide legal documentation that effected the change; e.g., marriage certificate, adoption decree, court order or Deed Poll.
  
• Fingerprint Cards (FD-258): Two (2) fingerprint cards ARE required of all adults (age 18 or over) residing in the household. Please make an appointment through InfoPass. If you are in the U.S. military, you may have your fingerprints taken by an authorized U.S. military authority. See also the " Fingerprinting" webpage.
  
• Home Study: The Home Study should be submitted with the petition, However, if the Home Study is not submitted when the I-600A is filed, it must be submitted within one year of the filing of the advanced processing petition, or the petition will be denied.
  Some specific requirements on the Home Study:
• Copies: Only one copy of the Home Study is required.
  
• Age of Home Study: The Home Study, or the most recent update to the Home Study, must not be more than six months old at the time the Home Study is submitted.
  
• Checking Available Child Abuse Registries: These checks must come from both the United States and the parents’ country of residence as appropriate, as most prospective adoptive parents have lived in both countries.
  
• Home Study Preparer's Certification and Statement of Authority to conduct home studies: The Home Study must include a statement in which the home study preparer certifies that he or she is licensed or otherwise authorized by the state of the orphan's proposed residence to research and prepare home studies.
  
• Review of the Home Study: If prospective parents reside abroad, an appropriate public or private adoption agency licensed, or otherwise authorized, by any State in the United States to place children for adoption, must review and favorably recommend the home study before it is submitted to the service. The United States adoption agency must also provide a copy of their license.