How to Get Adopted Child US Citizenship
It is becoming increasingly common to have U.S. parents adopt international children and bring them back to the U.S. In such cases, it is important to ensure that the adopted child becomes a U.S. citizen. There are three different processes to apply for citizenship for an adopted child, depending on how the child was adopted:
- Hague Convention Country Adoption Country Process
- Non-Hague Convention Country Adoption Process
Steps to Get Adopted Child U.S. Citizenship
If the child is adopted from a Hague Convention Country:
1. Choose an Adoption Service Provider.
The parents must use an Accredited Adoption Service Provider (ASP) for the adoption process. The ASP ensures that all parts of the adoption process are legal and guides the parents through each part of the process. The ASP must be:
- Licensed in the U.S. state of the parents’ residence
- Accredited or approved by one of the U.S. Department of State’s designated Accrediting Entities
This form is to be filed by the parents. It is used to prove the eligibility and suitability of the parents.
3. Be matched with a child.
If the I-800-A application is approved, the ASP will notify the Convention country that the parents’ would like to be matched with a child. If the Convention country finds the parents eligible, it will send the parents an official report on the child, including psychological, social and mental history.
4. Review the child’s report and make a decision to adopt.
5. File Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative to adopt the child or gain legal custody.
The process to finalize the adoption varies by country.
6. File for an immigrant visa for the child.
The parents must submit the following documents to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs for the child to be eligible for a visa:
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
7. The child is issued an IH-3 immigrant visa by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs.
8. The child enters the U.S. on their immigrant visa.
Once the adoption is finalized and the child is in the U.S., he/she is granted U.S. citizenship.
9. Apply for proof of citizenship for the child.
File Form N-600 with USCIS to get the child a Certificate of Citizenship or file Form DS-11 with the U.S. Department of State to get the child a U.S. passport.
If the child is adopted from a Hague Convention Country:
1. Choose an Adoption Service Provider.
The parents must use an Accredited Adoption Service Provider (ASP) for the adoption process. The ASP ensures that all parts of the adoption process are legal and guides the parents through each part of the process. The ASP must be:
- Licensed in the U.S. state of the parents’ residence
2. File Form I-600-A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition.
This form is to be filed by the parents. It is used to prove the eligibility and suitability of the parents.
3. Be matched with a child.
If the I-600-A application is approved, the ASP will notify the country that the parents’ would like to be matched with a child.
4. Adopt the child or gain legal custody of the child.
The process to finalize the adoption varies by country.
5. File Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative.
6. File for an immigrant visa for the child. The parents must submit the following documents for the child to be eligible for a visa:
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
7. The child is issued an IH-4 immigrant visa.
8. The child enters the U.S. on their immigrant visa.
Once the adoption is finalized and the child is in the U.S., he/she is granted U.S. citizenship.
9. Apply for proof of citizenship for the child.
File Form N-600 with USCIS to get the child a Certificate of Citizenship or file Form DS-11 with the U.S. Department of State to get the child a U.S. passport.
