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Instructions for Form I-800A, Application

for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a

Department of Homeland Security

Child from a Convention Country

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 and USCIS Account Number, if known, at the top of each sheet of paper and

indicate the part and number of the item to which the answer refers.

NOTE: Do not use this form if you intend to adopt a child

What Is the Purpose of This Form?

from a country other than a Convention country. See the

instructions provided on Form I-600A, Application for

The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-

Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, and Form I-600,

operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the

Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, for

Convention) entered into force with respect to the United

additional information.

States on April 1, 2008. The Convention strengthens

If you filed Form I-600A and/or Form I-600 prior to April 1,

protections for children, birth parents, and prospective

2008, and you intend to adopt a child from a Convention

adoptive parent(s), and establishes internationally agreed upon

country, you may continue to have your case processed

rules and procedures for adoptions between countries that

according to governing regulations for eligibility as an orphan.

have a treaty relationship under the Convention (Convention

Do not use Form I-800A if you wish to continue your case

countries). It ultimately provides a framework for member

under the provisions of existing orphan regulations.

countries to work together to ensure that children are provided

with permanent, loving homes, that adoptions take place in the

best interests of a child, and that the abduction, sale, or traffic

CAUTION:

in children is prevented.

Do not accept any adoption placement before USCIS has

A Convention country is defined as a country that is a party to

approved Form I-800A. You must also refrain from any

the Convention and with which the Convention is in force

contact with the parent(s), legal custodian(s), or other

with respect to the United States. To obtain a current listing of

individual or entity responsible for the care of a child who

Convention countries, visit the U.S. Department of State

may be eligible for intercountry adoption until the contact is

website at Additional information on

permissible under Article 29 of the Convention.

intercountry adoptions can be found on the USCIS Internet

Once the Central Authority of the child’s Convention country

website at

has proposed an adoption placement, and you have accepted it,

Use Form I-800A, Application for Determination of

you must file Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention

Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country, to

Adoptee as an Immediate Relative, before you adopt or obtain

initiate the immigration process if you intend to adopt a child

custody of the child. You may not file Form I-800 until the

who habitually resides in a Convention country. Form I-800A

Form I-800A has been approved.

and supporting evidence are required for USCIS to determine

Do not adopt or obtain custody of the child until after:

your eligibility and suitability to adopt a Convention child.

1. USCIS has approved Form I-800A; and

When Should I Use Form I-800A?

2. You have obtained provisional approval of Form I-800,

Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate

You should use Form I-800A if you are a U.S. citizen who

Relative; and

habitually resides in the United States and you intend to adopt

a child who is a habitual resident of a Convention country.

3. The U.S. Department of State has provided to the Central

See "Who May File This Form I-800A?" of these

Authority of the child's country of origin the notice, under

instructions for more information on who may submit this

Article 5 of the Convention, that the adoption or custody

application.

proceeding may be completed.

Form I-800A Instructions (Rev. 03/10/17) N

Instructions For Form I-800a - Application For Determination Of Suitability To Adopt A Child From A Convention Country

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