Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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.
6. You are married and you and your spouse will both adopt a
child based on the approval of Form I-800A; and General Instructions
7. If you are married, your spouse is either a U.S. citizen, a
non-citizen U.S. national, or an alien who, if living in the Step 1. Fill Out Form I-800A
United States, holds a lawful status under U.S. immigration
law. If your spouse is not a U.S. citizen or national and is 1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
in the United States in a lawful status other than the status 2. If extra space is needed to complete any item, attach a
of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, such continuation sheet, indicate the part and the number of the
status will be a factor in determining whether your family item, and date and sign each sheet. In addition, write your
situation is sufficiently stable to support a finding that you name and USCIS Account Number, if known, at the top of
and your spouse are suitable as the adoptive parents of a each sheet of paper.
child from a Convention country.
3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. State that an
item is not applicable with "N/A." If the answer is none,
Who May Not File Form I-800A? write "None."
You may not file Form I-800A if: This form is divided into Parts 1 through 5 as well as three
supplements. Form I-800A, Supplement 1, must be
1. You and your spouse are a married couple but neither of completed if there are additional adult members of the
you is a U.S. citizen; household residing with you. Form I-800A, Supplement 2,
2. If the preparer is a business or organization, its name must 3. A change in Convention country.
be included on the application.
4. A duplicate approval notice.
Form I-800A, Supplement 1, Listing
of Adult Member of the Household Step 2. General Requirements
If there are any additional adult members residing in your Evidence. Attach copies, showing front and back, of the
household other than you and your spouse (if married), Form documents you need to support your application. Do not send
I-800A, Supplement 1, Listing of Adult Member of the original documents unless instructed to do so. (Examples
Household, must be completed for each of the adult members of original documents that must be submitted include:
in your household. For purposes of this supplement, the affidavits, medical examinations, or formal consultations.)
definition of adult member of the household is any individual
who has the same principal residence as you and who reached
You must submit the following documents:
his or her 18th birthday on or before the date Form I-800A is
filed. 1. Proof that you are a U.S. citizen. Examples of such proof
include:
NOTE: USCIS reserves the right to request information on
any person who has not yet reached his or her 18th birthday A. A birth certificate that was issued by a civil authority
before the date Form I-800A is filed, or who does not actually and that establishes birth in the United States;
live at the same residence, but whose presence in the residence
is relevant to the issue of your (and your spouse, if applicable) B. An unexpired U.S. passport issued initially for a full
suitability to adopt. 10-year period showing U.S. citizenship (and not a
noncitizen national);
Form I-800A Supplement 2,
C. A statement executed by a U.S. consular officer
Consent to Disclose Information
certifying you are a U.S. citizen and the bearer of a
If you want to give consent for USCIS to disclose information currently valid U.S. passport;
about your case to your adoption service provider, you must
D. A Certificate of Naturalization;
complete Form I-800A, Supplement 2, Consent to Disclose
Information. You are not required to give this consent in E. A Certificate of Citizenship; or
order to file Form I-800A.
F. An FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the
Form I-800A Supplement 3, Request United States, issued by a U.S. Embassy or consulate.
for Action on Approved Form I-800A
2. If your spouse (if married) is a U.S. citizen or national
Use Form I-800A, Supplement 3, to request the following: of the United States, proof of such status. Examples of
such proof include:
1. An extension of your approved Form I-800A.
A. A birth certificate that was issued by a civil authority
NOTE: File this supplement if the validity period for your
and that establishes birth in the United States or in an
Form I-800A approval is about to expire and you have not yet
outlying possession of the United States;
filed Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as
an Immediate Relative. B. An unexpired U.S. passport issued initially for a full
Your Form I-800A approval notice indicates the date on which 10-year period showing U.S. citizenship or nationality;
the approval notice expires. You may not file Form I-800A,
C. A statement executed by a U.S. consular officer
Supplement 3, more than 90 days before that expiration
certifying your spouse as a U.S. citizen or national and
date, but must file it no later than that expiration date. If
the bearer of a currently valid U.S. passport;
Form I-800A approval expires prior to submission of Form
I-800A, Supplement 3, then a complete Form I-800A D. A Certificate of Naturalization;
application and fee must be submitted for any new period of
approval. E. A Certificate of Citizenship; or
2. After your application has been approved, a new If it becomes necessary to file an updated or amended
Form I-800A, which reflects your new marital home study, it must always be accompanied by a copy of
status, will be required, along with an updated and the home study that is being updated or amended,
amended home study. The fee is required. including all prior updates and amendments.
B. Change of residence including change in the child's If submission of an updated or amended home study
proposed State of residence. The preadoption becomes necessary after USCIS has approved Form
requirements, if any, of any new State of residence I-800A, you must file Form I-800A, Supplement 3, with
must be complied with in the case of a child coming to the filing fee. The only exceptions to this fee requirement
the United States to be adopted. are if you are seeking your first extension or your first
request to change to a different Convention country.
C. Any change in history of arrest, child abuse,
substance abuse, or domestic violence for you, your NOTE: A change in marital status after approval of Form
spouse (if married), or any household member I-800A always requires the filing of a new Form I-800A
regardless of age. with a new home study and fee.
Copies. Unless specifically required that an original What Is the Filing Fee?
document be filed with an application or petition, an ordinary The filing fee for Form I-800A is as follows:
legible photocopy may be submitted. Original documents
submitted when not required will remain a part of the record, 1. If you are filing Form I-800A, the filing fee is $775.
even if the submission was not required. An additional biometrics fingerprint fee of $85 must be
paid for each person residing in your household who is 18
Affidavits. If a required document cannot be obtained, you years of age or older. (For example: If you are married
must submit an original written statement from the and another adult is living in your household, you will pay
governmental agency that should have the record, verifying $775 plus an additional $255 fingerprint fee (3 x $85), for a
that the record does not exist. Only then may you submit total of $1,030.) See “Biometrics services for applicants
written affidavits sworn to or affirmed by two persons who residing abroad” on the following page.
were living at the time and who have personal knowledge of
the event and circumstances you are trying to prove. Each 2. There is no filing fee for Form I-800A, Supplement 1.
affidavit must contain the affiant's full name, address, date and 3. There is no filing fee for Form I-800A, Supplement 2.
place of birth, and signature. The affidavit must provide full
information concerning the event and complete details of how 4. If you are filing Form I-800A, Supplement 3, the fee
the affiant acquired the information. schedule is as follows:
A. If you are filing for your FIRST extension of the
approval of your Form I-800A and you have not yet
Where to File? submitted Form I-800 on behalf of a specific child,
there is no filing fee and no biometrics fee.
You must always file your Form I-800A with USCIS Dallas
While there is no additional biometrics fingerprint fee,
Lockbox facility. It will then be routed to, and adjudicated at,
you, your spouse (if married), and each person residing
the National Benefits Center.
in your household who is 18 years of age or older must
have his or her fingerprints retaken.
Form I-800A must be mailed to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox
facility address as follows:
B. If you are filing for a SECOND or SUBSEQUENT
extension of the approval of your Form I-800A and you
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries, use the
have not yet submitted Form I-800 on behalf of a
following P.O. Box number:
specific child, the filing fee is $385.
USCIS
You, your spouse (if married), and each person residing
P.O. Box 660087
in your household who is 18 years of age or older must
Dallas, TX 75266
also pay the additional biometrics fingerprint fee of $85.