Instructions For Form I-800 - Petition To Classify Convention Adoptee As An Immediate Relative - Department Of Homeland Security

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Instructions for Form I-800,
Petition to Classify Convention
Department of Homeland Security
Adoptee as an Immediate Relative
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Instructions
Read these instructions carefully to properly complete this form. If you need more space to complete an answer, use a
separate sheet of paper. Write your name, USCIS Account Number (if known), and the child's current legal name at the top
of each sheet of paper and indicate the part and number of the item to which the answer refers.
2. The Central Authority in the selected Convention country
What Is the Purpose of This Form?
has proposed placing a child for adoption with you and
your spouse (if applicable).
The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and
NOTE: Central Authority means the entity designated as
Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the
such by a Convention country under Article 6(1) of the
Convention) entered into force with respect to the United
Convention. In the United States, the U.S. Department of
States on April 1, 2008. The Convention strengthens
State is the Central Authority. Central Authority also
protections for children, birth parents, and prospective
means an individual who, or entity that, is performing a
adoptive parent(s), and establishes internationally agreed upon
Central Authority function, having been authorized to do
rules and procedures for adoptions between countries that
so by the designate Central Authority, in accordance with
have a treaty relationship under the Convention (Convention
the Convention and the law of the Central Authority’s
countries). It ultimately provides a framework for member
country.
countries to work together to ensure that children are provided
with permanent, loving homes; that adoptions take place in the
As provided in 8 CFR Part 204.301 and in these
best interests of a child; and that the abduction, sale, or traffic
instructions, the term “Central Authority” includes the
in children is prevented.
actual Central Authority of a Convention country and also
any other individual or entity that is authorized to carry out
A Convention country is defined as a country that is a party to
a Central Authority function by delegation.
the Convention and with which the Convention is in force
with respect to the United States. To obtain a current listing of
Form I-800 must be filed before the expiration of the notice of
Convention countries, visit the U.S. Department of State
the approval or extension of Form I-800A and before the
website at Additional information on
child's 16th birthday.
intercountry adoptions can be found on the USCIS Internet
website at
Instructions for a Child Between Age 15 and 16
There are two instances requiring special instructions relating
Use Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as
an Immediate Relative, to finalize the immigration process if
to children between the ages of 15 and 16.
you will adopt a child who habitually resides in a Convention
1. If the Central Authority in the selected Convention country
country and you have an approved, valid Form I-800A,
places the child with you for adoption more than 6 months
Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child
after the child's 15th birthday but before the child's 16th
from a Convention Country. Form I-800 and supporting
birthday, you must still file Form I-800 before the child's
evidence are required for USCIS to determine the child's
16th birthday. However, if the required evidence is not yet
eligibility for classification as a Convention adoptee.
available, you may submit a statement from the primary
adoption service provider, signed under penalty of perjury
under U.S. law, confirming that the Central Authority has,
When Should I Use Form I-800?
in fact, made the adoption placement on the date specified
in the statement. The primary adoption service provider in
your case is the accredited or temporarily accredited
You should use Form I-800 when:
agency, or approved person who is responsible under
1. You have an approved, valid Form I-800A, Application for
22 CFR Part 96.14 for the six adoption services defined in
Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a
22 CFR Part 96.2, and for supervising and being
Convention Country; and
responsible for supervised providers where used.
Form I-800 Instructions 03/10/17 N

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