Form I-600 - Case on File
Cases where I-600A was approved by a stateside USCIS Office
Q. How can I confirm that your Office has received my I-600A approved by our local USCIS Office in U.S.?
A. You must confirm receipt of your approved Form I-600A by contacting us through email at cis.ndi@dhs.gov. You should not make any travel arrangements to India unless we have confirmed the receipt of your case. Our fax numbers are 91-11-2419-8347/8730.
Q. My I-600A was approved and forwarded to your Office when should I file Form I-600 at your Office?
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. Kindly carry proof of validity on your fingerprint clearance if you were re-fingerprinted.
Q. Can I mail the Form I-600?
A. No. The U.S. citizen petitioner must submit the Form I-600 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. 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 where you already have my Form I-600A approved by the USCIS Office having jurisdiction over my place of residence in the U.S.?
A. The following documents must be submitted:
- Form I-600 signed by Petitioner(s)
- Copy of U.S. Passport
- 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. A copy of the No Objection Certificate issued by Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) should be submitted in all cases.
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.