The second part of USCIS’s “job” regarding adoptions is the I-600. This is the form that is submitted for a particular child. This is another one page, two-sided form that has general information about the adoptive parents, and it also has detailed information about the child being adopted. There is quite a bit of supporting evidence required, including proof that the child is an orphan, proof of the adoption, a medical exam from a designated doctor including tests for HIV and other communicable diseases, etc. These documents and the medical exam are typically handled by the adoption agency in-country.

There are other immigration forms that may or may not be required at the same time that the I-600 is submitted, depending on the country and adoption situation.

Depending on the adoption program and whether or not the child is being escorted to the US or if the adoptive parents are traveling, the I-600 can be submitted at the same local office that you submitted your I-600A at, or at the US Embassy in the country where the child resides. Processing time varies widely from minutes to days to weeks or even months depending on where it is submitted and the situation. This approval is essential for the child to receive a visa and to travel to the United States. Your adoption agency will help you with all of this stuff.

I have known several families, ours included, that have run into some difficulties with USCIS. Often there is not much that can be done besides sitting back and waiting. Some offices allow phone calls by either social workers or the parents themselves, so sometimes it is possible to get an update on the phone. It is also possible to schedule an appointment and visit in person (if you live a reasonable distance from your USCIS office…ours is 9 hours away), although I have heard this tactic get mixed reviews depending on the office/officer involved.

In an urgent situation, where the family has waited an extended period of time or in a situation where the child is already identified and has special health needs, it can be possible to get help from your senator or congressman’s office. Some offices even have a person who works specially with adoption issues. While I have heard from some that contacting senator’s office will not speed things along, I know many who have done this as a last resort, and gotten what they needed within days (and sometimes hours).

I hope this is helpful for those of you adopting internationally. If any experienced parents have read through all this, please comment with anything I may have left out, forgotten or just messed up. :)