U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS, formerly INS)
CIS is a busy federal bureaucracy, often inaccessible to the individual consumer. Their policies can change overnight.
Throughout your adoption, Across The World Adoptions acts as your intermediary with CIS. Our relationship with CIS allows us to alert you to policy changes as they occur, provide you with sample documents and instructions and track the progress of your CIS application. However, we cannot guarantee that CIS will act within any particular time frame or that they will ultimately approve your application. If you experience significant delays or difficulties, you may want to contact your U.S. senator or congress person. They often assist their constituents when there are problems with federal agencies like CIS.
In order to adopt abroad, single applicants must be U.S. citizens at least 25 years of age. For married applicants, only one spouse must be a U.S. citizen.
The initial CIS process involves an I-600A application, marriage and citizenship documentation, fingerprint processing and a fee (all separate from the homestudy requirements). You will also submit proof of health insurance coverage for the adopted child and sometimes additional income information. We will send CIS an original of your home study. You will then receive an appointment letter for fingerprint processing which should be undertaken immediately.
It may take CIS several weeks, or even months, to review the file and issue their decision. CIS approval results in a "Notice of Favorable Determination" (or I-171H). It is valid for 18 months from issuance, by which time your adoption must be completed. The Notice is cabled to the American Embassy serving the country from which you adopt. It allows the Embassy to issue a visa for your adopted child's entry into the United States.
Children who are seen in person by parent(s) before their adoption abroad should receive automatic U.S. citizenship upon entry to the United States. CIS will issue an automatic Certificate of Citizenship for children traveling on IR3 visas and entering the country as of January 20, 2004. Children on IR3 visas who entered before January 20, 2004 received permanent resident cards even though they are citizens. In this case, parents should take steps to obtain proof of citizenship. Children with IR4 visas must complete adoption procedures in the U.S. before they become citizens.
