Citizenship and Immigration Service Process

Support with Every Step

Spence-Chapin's staff will guide you step-by-step through all the paperwork required by the child's birth country as well as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.

Requirements

Applicants (at least one member of a couple) must be American citizens over the age of 26. Citizenship and Immigration Service requires proof of income 25% over the poverty guidelines. Applicants must submit an approved home study before fingerprint appointments can be made.

The Immigration Process

During the period while you may be considering various ways to do an international adoption, you might like to begin Citizenship and Immigration Service paperwork. The following directions can be used as a guide should you choose to start the process. You should be aware that the fees for Citizenship and Immigration Service are high, and some families may decide to wait to start this process until an agency commits to them. For families living in our direct service area, Spence-Chapin's commitment comes as families begin the home study process. For families working with one of our cooperating agencies, acceptance comes after reviewing the completed home study document.

All international adoptive applicants must be pre-approved by the Citizenship and Immigration Service before they can travel to adopt a child. This process includes doing special fingerprints which will be cleared by the FBI. You can follow the steps below if you want to do this I-600A application.

1. Call the Citizenship and Immigration Service toll-free at 1-800-870-3676 and ask for two copies of the I-600A and two copies of the I-600A form. You can also download these forms by clicking the links below.

   I-600A Downloadable Form | I-600 Downloadable Form

   Note: These forms are available in a PDF format online for downloading. You'll need an Adobe Reader to view - it's available free at Adobe's site.

   Note: You'll want to print the I-600A on salmon/orange paper and the I-600 on blue paper for faster processing by the Citizenship and Immigration Service.

2. Fill in the I-600A completely. The "Petitioner" must be a U.S. citizen and should have the larger income following the adoptive placement. Names should be printed exactly as they appear on your passports. You must send the following items to Immigration:
   
   
   • One completed I-600A form (hold onto the second copy for emergencies)
     
     
   • Two money orders, certified checks, bank checks or personal checks (with the home address printed on them and be legible), both made out to "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services" for:
     
     • Couple: One check for $670 and the second for $160.
       
       
     • Single: One check for $670 and the second for $80. Add $80 for other adults, 18 years and over, living in the home. The check for $670 covers the I-600A fee and the second check covers the fingerprint charges of $80 per person.
     
     
   • Either certified copies of your birth certificates, marriage certificate and divorce decrees, where applicable, or photocopies of these documents with "Important Document Information" form attached to each one. If you have a naturalization certificate or green card, include a photocopy of this as well. Appropriate applicant must sign for each birth certificate copy and both must sign the marriage certificate copy.
3. If you and Spence-Chapin have agreed to work together, we will then submit your I-600A, check and supporting documents to the appropriate Citizenship and Immigration Service office.

   You will be notified by mail with an appointment week and the name and address of the fingerprinting center to go to. If you miss the first week, there is an alternative day given. If you miss all the offered dates, you will lose your check and have to start the process again by sending another check, etc. The fingerprint centers will provide the cards and submit them to the FBI for clearance.

4. If you are unsure of the agency you plan to work with, you can still submit the documents to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service youself. You must submit the application in your home state.