IMMIGRANT VISAS

Adoptions

Additional Documents

Children adopted/to be adopted by U. S. Citizens
(IR-3, IR-4 Visas) require the following additional documents:

• Guardianship or adoption decree issued by an Indian court giving the prospective adoptive U.S. citizen parents (petitioners) custody of the child. Note that Muslim and Christian adoptions are not legally recognized in India.


• Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition (Form I-600A)
  
• Guardianship appointment issued by an Indian court naming the petitioner as guardian. Note that this is the only legally recognized method available for Christian or Muslim petitioners since outright adoptions by these religious communities are not legal in India.
  
• Power of attorney for the adoption agency, if the adopting parents are will not be present at the interview. Note: Parents adopting in India must be present for the adoption proceedings.
  
• Relinquishment of rights by natural parents, if known.

Click here for further information on inter-country adoptions