Form I-600 - New Case

Q.     Who can file Form I-600 at the USCIS Office in New Delhi?
A.     A U.S. citizen who has been a resident of India for more than six months. A Residential Permit issued by the Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Government of India, is a good proof of your residence status in India. 
                    OR
                Any U.S. citizen whose Form I-600A was approved and forwarded to this Office.  No residence requirements are applicable to such a case; however, the Petitioner(s) must submit the Form I-600 in person.  For further instructions on filing Form I-600 please click here. 

Q.     What is the fee and how can it be paid?
A.     Please check here for the latest on Form I-600 fee.  The fee must be paid in cash to the Embassy cashier who accepts both the U.S. and Indian currency.

Q.    Can I mail the Form I-600?
A.    No. You are required to submit this form in person.

 Q.    Do I need an appointment to file the Form I-600?
A.    No. We accept walk-ins on any business day [Monday through Friday] between 09:00 am to 1200 noon.
 
Q.    Where is the USCIS Office located?
A.   The USCIS Office is located at the American Embassy, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, India.
 
Q.     How much time would I require to submit my Form I-600?
A.    Filing of Form I-600 at this Office is usually a one-day process.  However, please make adequate travel plans to accommodate unforeseeable events.

Q.   What documents are usually required to file Form I-600?
A.   The following documents must be submitted:
1.   Form I-600 signed by Petitioner(s)
2.   Proof of U.S. citizenship (i.e., U.S. passport, Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship, Birth Certificate)
3.   Marriage Certificate
4.   Proof of termination of prior marriage(s)
5.   Home Study (approved by a licensed U.S. adoption agency)
6.   Finger prints (This Office will fingerprint the applicant(s) on Form FD-258 at the time of filing of Form I-600).
7.   Proof that the child is an orphan (Usually an “Affidavit of Birth and Abandonment” issued by an orphanage)
8.  Court Order granting legal custody or authorizing adoption
9.  Deed of Adoption or Adoption Deed applicable only in cases where the adoption was authorized.
10. Pre-adoption requirements must be met where the Petitioners have only secured guardianship/legal custody of the child.
11. Copy of No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA); this can be provided by the orphanage.
 
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.   Can I submit the Home Study completed in India/overseas?
A.   Yes, but it must be approved a U.S. adoption agency. Section 204(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act), 8 U.S.C. 1154(d), provides that no petition may be approved on behalf of an orphan child, as defined in section 101(b)(1)(F) of the Act: unless a valid home-study has been favorably recommended by an agency of the State of the child's proposed residence, or by an agency authorized by that State to conduct such a study, or, in the case of a child adopted abroad, by an appropriate public or private adoption agency which is licensed in the United States.
 
For more information on Home Study requirements please refer to 8 CFR Part 204 – Immigrant Petitions/Sec. 204.3(e).
 
Q.    Where can I find the relevant immigration law relating to adoptions?
A.    Title 8 Of Code Of Federal Regulations (8 CFR)/8 CFR Part 204 – Immigrant Petitions/Sec. 204.3 Orphans provides the controlling regulations in this regard.
 
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 is taken by the USCIS Office in New Delhi to adjudicate Form I-600 where no prior adoption application/petition has been filed?
A.   It usually takes us approximately 3 months to process Form I-600 from the date of its receipt at this Office where 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.