I-600A Instructions The first step in getting Immigration and Naturalization Approval is to submit the I-600A. Obtain your INS forms Call Immigration and Naturalization Service at: 1-800-870-3676 1-888-557-5398 1-800-375-5283 1-800-767-1833 and ask for the International Adoption Packet which includes the forms I-600-A, I-864, I-600 or download the forms from the Internet http://uscis.gov/graphics

When you receive this packet, fill out the "orange" form, I600A, and return it to INS with the specified dollar amount. Send a cashier's check or money order (personal checks may be returned, delaying your request). Keep the "blue" and "white" copy in a safe place. You will need these copies with you when you travel to your child's country. Immediately file the I-600-A form - "Application for Advanced Processing of an Orphan Petition". This application is what gives you INS clearance (visa approval), and you cannot bring a child back into the United States without a visa. Several documents must be included with your I-600A form, so compile these while waiting for the your I-600A form to be mailed to you: Proof of US citizenship. If born in the US, submit a birth certificate. Arrange to get 4 copies (also required for passport & dossier) from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the birth state of the adoptive parents. All supporting documents must be originals or official copies of the original records issued by and bearing the seals of the official custodians of the records. You can call the office of vital statistics in your state, and if you give them your credit card number they'll overnight the birth certificates. If married, a certificate of marriage. Arrange to get 2 copies (also required for dossier) from the county of residence at the time of marriage. In some States (for example in Virginia) only a marriage certificate certified by the State Division of Vital Records can be certified by the Secretary of the State. Proof of termination of all prior marriages. Favorable home study (if not completed, write a note that you'll provide it later). We suggest you submit your I600A without a home study so the INS can begin to process your application, while completing your homestudy. Your homestudy can be sent when it is completed.

Schedule a homestudy with a local homestudy agency. It must be a licensed social worker or agency eligible to do International homestudies. The normal processing time for a homestudy is 30-45 days. Send the I-600A form, accomponied by proof of US citizenship (if born in the US, submit a birth certificate), a certificate of marriage, proof of termination of all prior marriages, favorable home study (if not completed, > write a note that you'll provide it later) along with the cashier's check or a money order ( the fee is $ 405 plus $ 25 for every adult in the household) the to your local INS office (www.calib.com/naic/resources/ins.htm). Example: I600A Fee $405.00 Cashier's check or Money Order for $405 Fingerprinting Fee Parents (a husband and a wife) $25.00 X 2=$50.00 AdultsCashier's check or Money Order for $50.00 Total: $ 405 + ($ 25+ $ 25) = $ 405 + $ 50 NOTE: The fee is $405 plus $25 for every adult in the household (all adults are required to be fingerprinted). Send a cashier's check or a money order.

INS requires the applicant to be fingerprinted for the purpose of criminal background checks. INS schedules people to be fingerprinted at an authorized site after their application or petition has been filed. You will be notified of the time and place for fingerprinting after the I600A application has been received. Prospective adoptive parents need to meet criteria established in the Federal Immigration Law before being able to bring a foreign child into the U.S., as adoption does not change the citizenship or immigrant status of the child.

This step is completed through the Immigration and Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice. This process is completed through the mail and is initiated with an I-600-A, supporting documentation and fingerprints for an FBI crminal background check. The home study can be forwarded as soon as it has been completed or all forms can be sent together. Every family wishing to adopt will need to receive INS approval and a completed favorable homestudy. You can choose to do these separate or in conjunction with each other. It is not necessary to have these completed to start your process with us; but it will be necessary to be finalized before travel. Families wishing to adopt from another country must petition the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service for an entry visa allowing your child to enter the country. Once all the paperwork is submitted, the visa will be granted by the U.S. Consulate in the child's country of residence. Once the child is in the adopted home and the adoption is finalized, the child is eligible for U.S. Citizenship. However, this is not automatic--you must apply for it. Note: The INS offers an information pamphlet, "The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children". For a copy of this pamphlet, write to: INS > 425 Eye Street, NW Washington, D. C. 20536.

Filling out the I-600A form: Block 11 and 12 -- Plan to travel to adopt? > Keep in mind that adopting a child from Kazakhstan or Ukraine requires travel, check YES > Block 13 -- Date and city of intended departure. date - 2 months after applying for INS approval (for example you fill out the I-600 A in September, then please write November) city for Kazakhstan -Almaty,for Ukraine-Kiev.

Block 14 -- NO Block 15 -- YES Block 16 -- The American or Embassy at Almaty, Kazakhstan or Kiev,Ukraine

Send the I-600A form to your local INS office.

Several weeks after submitting the I-600A, you will be sent an appointment letter for fingerprinting. When you receive INS approval (Form I-171H), please keep in mind to check that: 3. X Your advance processing application has been forwarded to the American Consulate or Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine(or Almaty,Kazakhstan) and that cable sent (number of the cable) sent.