Form I-600 - Case with New Delhi
Cases where I-600A was filed with and approved by USCIS New Delhi
Q. Your Office has already approved my I-600A, kindly advise when do I need to file Form I-600?
A. The approval on Form I-600A is valid for 18 months from the date of approval. Therefore, you must file your Form I-600 before the expiry of validity on your Form I-600A. Also please be aware that a Form I-600 may not be approved without current FBI fingerprint records for the prospective adoptive parent(s) and all adult members of the prospective adoptive parents’ household.
Q. Kindly explain about the FBI fingerprint clearance?
A. Please be advised that the fingerprint checks for I-600/A Petitioners are valid for 15 months from the date of clearance. They are not valid throughout the 18 month I-600A validity period. Therefore, in many cases the Petitioners and any other adult household members will have to have their fingerprints taken and cleared a second time before an I-600 petition can be filed/approved. You can find this policy on our website at www.uscis.gov or click here.
Q. Can I mail the Form I-600?
A. Yes, since you have already been interviewed at the time of filing of your Form I-600A.
Q. Am I required to pay any fee?
A. No fee is required to file the Form I-600 as the same was received at the time of filing of your Form I-600A. However, if you are filing more than one Form I-600:
1) The I-600 fee would be waived if the children are siblings or
2) The I-600 fee would be charged if the children are not related. Fee for the first child is not required.
NOTE: Kindly ensure that you have been approved on your Form I-600A to adopt/seek legal guardianship of more than one child.
Q. What documents are usually required to file Form I-600?
A. The following documents must be submitted:
- Form I-600 signed by Petitioner(s)
- Proof that the child is an orphan (Usually an “Affidavit of Birth and Abandonment” issued by an orphanage)
- Court Order granting legal custody or authorizing adoption
- Deed of Adoption or Adoption Deed applicable in cases where the adoption was authorized
- Pre-adoption requirements must be met where the Petitioners have only secured guardianship/legal custody of the child.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The documentary requirement indicated above applies to those cases where the child is being adopted through a recognized orphanage. In case of any private adoption, the Petitioners must comply with the outstanding instructions on Form I-600 and provide evidence that the child qualifies as an "orphan" as defined under Section 101(b)(1)(f) of Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended.
Q. What other documents can be requested in support of the Form I-600?
A. In cases where the adoption has been approved by the Central Adoption and Resource Agency [CARA], Government of India, a copy of the No Objection Certificate issued by CARA should be submitted. A “Child Study” report advising on the background and health of the child may be required if there is insufficient evidence on file to reflect that the child qualifies as an “orphan” under the U.S. Immigration law.
Q. Is the child’s passport required at the time of filing of Form I-600?
A. No.
Q. Is the child’s physical presence required at the time of filing of Form I-600?
A. No. However, if upon review the case warrants an interview with the beneficiary, this Office may request for the child’s personal appearance.
Q. How much time does the USCIS Office in New Delhi take to adjudicate Form I-600 where an approved I-600A is already on file?
A. It takes less than a week to adjudicate such a case when all required documentation has been submitted.
NOTE: Any questions on immigrant visa processing (i.e., Form I-864 (Affidavit of support), medical, photographs, appointment for immigrant visa, Form DS-230, immigrant visa fees etc.) MUST be referred to the appropriate Consular Section.