Both parents must be over the age of 30. If both parents are over the age of 50, there can be no more than a 50-year age difference between the parents and the adopted child. Couples must be married for at least 2 years. Neither can have more than 2 divorces. You can have no more than 5 children. Your youngest child must be at least 3 years old. You must make at least $30,000 a year, plus an additional $10,000 for every child you have. Neither parent can have any major criminal history within the past 10 years, and no history of drug or alcohol abuse. Both parents must have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Both parents must be healthy and have a BMI under 40. A couple with one disabled spouse may be permitted to adopt as long as one of the spouses is healthy.
To find accredited adoption agencies, visit https://travel. state. gov/content/travel/en/Intercountry-Adoption/about-adoption-service-providers/adoption-service-provider-search. html and entering your search criteria. Read carefully the materials provided to you by the adoption agency, including the fees charged. If there’s something you don’t understand, you might want to have an attorney who specializes in international adoptions look it over for you.
Some of these forms are extensive and may take several hours to complete. Read through the application before you start filling it out, so you’ll have an idea of the types of information you need. You may also be asked to include information about the types of children you’re open to adopting. For example, you might indicate if you have a preference for a girl over a boy, or if you’re willing to adopt children with special needs.
Documents you might need include birth certificates; marriage certificates; divorce decrees; passports; proof of education, income, and financial status; physical exam certificates; and background check reports. You also must take at least 2 passport-style photos of each spouse and provide at least 6 family photos.
If your caseworker needs any additional information or documentation, they’ll let you know. Do what you can to get them what they need as soon as possible to prevent any additional delays.
Download a copy of Form 1-800A at https://www. uscis. gov/i-800a. Along with your completed form, send your home study report and any other documents listed on the form. Typically, you’ll fill out the form and take it to your adoption agency. The agency will then submit your form to USCIS along with the fee and required documents. [7] X Research source As of 2019, the required fee for Form 1-800A is $775, plus an additional $85 biometric fee for each prospective adoptive parent. [8] X Trustworthy Source US Citizenship and Immigration Services U. S. government agency in charge of the naturalization and immigration systems Go to source
It may take a few months for USCIS to approve you as adoptive parents. Once you’re approved and your agency sends your application package to the CCCWA, it may take anywhere from 4 to 6 months for you to get information about a possible match.
You don’t have to accept the first child (or any child) you’re matched with. However, if you don’t have a legitimate reason for refusing a child, it may be a while before the CCCWA matches you with another one. If you have any questions about the child, let your adoption agency know. They may be able to ask CCCWA and find out the information you want to know.
If you’ve decided to accept that child, you’ll be ready to proceed with the adoption. You’ll likely be bringing your new child home within 6 to 8 months. If you refuse the child, you do have to provide a reason. You likely won’t be penalized if you have a legitimate reason, such as not being confident you can care for that child’s medical conditions.
Ask your adoption agency for a copy of the signed acceptance letter for your records.
It may take anywhere from 2 to 4 months to process your Form-1-800. This form must be approved before you will be able to get a visa for your child to bring them back to the US.
Make sure your passport has at least 6 months’ validity on it from the date you plan to travel to China. As of 2019, it takes approximately 4 working days to process an S Visa application. If you need your visa sooner, you can pay an extra $20 to get it in 2 or 3 days, or $30 to get it processed on the same day.
Expect to spend at least 15 days in China. You will most likely fly to a major city China prefers that both parents travel to China to meet the child for the first time. However, if only one of you can travel that should be fine. , such as Hong Kong, Beijing, or Guangzhou, then travel to the province where the child is located. To finalize travel documents before returning home, you’ll need to stop at the US embassy in Guangzhou. Don’t forget that you’ll have an extra person with you on your return trip!
Provided your documents are in order, the provisional department of civil affairs will issue your Adoption Registration Certificate and Certificate of Conformity of Intercountry Adoption.
You’ll typically have the opportunity to ask someone who was responsible for your child’s care before the adoption any questions you may have. Typically, you would speak through an interpreter. This can be a good opportunity to understand more about your new child’s needs. Once you meet your child, you’re likely going to be ready to get back home and get started on the rest of your life. However, plan on being in China for at least another 6 to 10 days while you get the right travel documents in place for your new child.
The new birth certificate will list you and your spouse as your child’s parents. It may also provide the name you’ve chosen for your child if it differs from the name the child was given at birth.
Before your child’s immigrant visa will be approved, you must take them for a medical examination with an approved panel physician. The US State Department recommends that you use the Guangzhou Health and Quarantine Service, which is located close to the US Consulate’s main office in Guangzhou.
When you pick up your child’s visa, you’ll also be given a sealed packet of documents. Do not open this package. When you reach the port of entry in the US, you must give this package to a customs agent sealed and intact.
The CBP officer will keep the sealed package. Those documents will be forwarded to USCIS for inclusion in your child’s official immigration record.
If you want to order a Certificate of Citizenship, fill out Form N600 and submit it to the USCIS at the address listed on the form. As of 2019, you must pay $1170 for any certificates you order. You can download the required form at https://www. uscis. gov/n-600.
The post-adoption report is similar to a home study in many ways, but it isn’t as in-depth or time-consuming. Your adoption agency will have additional information on the requirements for post-adoption reports.
