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:

1Choose 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:

2File Form I-800-A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country.

This form is to be filed by the parents. It is used to prove the eligibility and suitability of the parents.

3Be 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.

4Review the child's report and make a decision to adopt.

5File 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.

6File 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:

7The child is issued an IH-3 immigrant visa by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs.

8The 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.

9Apply 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:

1Choose 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:

2File 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.

3Be 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.

4Adopt 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.

6File for an immigrant visa for the child. The parents must submit the following documents for the child to be eligible for a visa:

7The child is issued an IH-4 immigrant visa.

8The 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.

9Apply 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.