Adoption Process

CA Live Scan Fingerprint Locations
Families are normally requested to have Live Scan fingerprints taken for by the Home Study agency.   Live Scan fingerprints are different from the fingerprints requested by USCIS for the I600A, I600, I800a or I800 form(s).  Results for the Live Scan clearances are sent directly to the Home Study agency.

CA USCIS Field Office Locator
Families will locate the correct USCIS office for submission of the I600a, I600, I800a or I800 forms.   Smaller field offices do NOT accept all forms.   Some locations accept submissions in person.   Please look for the ‘Orphans Unit’ in the USCIS field location detailed information, to ensure that you are sending and/or taking your submissions to a field office that handles ‘orphan petitions’.

Readoption, Finalization & Post-Placement

Readoption/Adoption Finalization In California
Member-suggested “how to” guidelines on how to readopt or finalize the adoption of your child

CA Court Locations
For submission of readoption or adoption finalization applications

Adopt-050
How To Adopt A Child In California (document)

Packet #L1140
Packet of forms required for submission to the courts for finalization or readoption

Social Security Card

Documents Needed For Social Security Card

N600 Form
Application for Certificate of Citizenship

JCICS
Joint Council On International Children’s Services

Hague Accredited Adoption Agencies
Accredited Hague Adoption Service Providers

Hague - Agencies Denied Accreditation

Immigrant Visa Statistics
View the numbers of the top international countries that the US Government has issued Immigrant Visa’s from in recent years.

CARA
Central Adoption Resource Authority, Ministry of Women and Child Development Government of India

Birth/Marriage/Divorce Certificates
An online resource for ordering certified certificates most often required for dossier preparation (other resources with varying fees are also available; this is a member suggested link)

USCIS
US Citizenship & Immigration Services

USCIS Orphan’s Unit - for latest USCIS news and information on filing

USCIS Office Locator

Identify which office to submit I600a, I600, I800a or I800 applications. We suggest that you read the detailed information of the field office to ensure that the particular field office as an “Orphans Unit” that will accept “orphan petitions”.

I600a
Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition

I600
Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative

I800a
Applicaiton for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Hague Convention Country

I800
Petition to Classify Hague Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative

How to obtain a Social Security Number for a foreign-born adopted child (additional info: required documents)

N-600
A USCIS Application for Certificate of US Citizenship (not required if your child arrived home on an IR-3 Visa).

IRS Adoption Tax Credit
2007 IRS Tax Credit for Adoption and Special Needs Adoption