Adoption is the legal transfer of paternal rights and responsibilities from one family to another.
Under US immigration law, a child born abroad who is an orphan can be adopted if:
The child lost his parents as a result of the death or disappearance of his parents, abandonment of the child, separation from both parents.
The child’s sole or sole surviving parent is unable to support the child and has given written consent to emigration and adoption. In this case, you must file a petition for the orphan before they reach the age of 16.
Application for Green Card [Green Card]. Adoptions are eligible to submit:
US citizens or green card holders who are adopting overseas-born children under the age of 16.
Overseas born children under the age of 16 who are adopted by US citizens or Green Card holders.
Child information must be submitted to US Citizenship and Immigration Services
Birth certificate of the child, or, in his absence, certificate of the child’s age and personality.
Proof that the child is an orphan (according to immigration law).
Final decision on adoption, if applicable.
Proof of legal custody of the child, emigration and adoption, if applicable, and
Proof of compliance with the adoption requirements, if applicable.
Requirements for obtaining automatic citizenship for a child
Under the Children’s Citizenship Act, your child will automatically acquire US citizenship on the day they arrive in the US if they meet the following requirements:
At least one of the adoptive parents is a US citizen.
The child is under 18 years old.
The adoption process is complete.
The child entered the United States as an immigrant.
To obtain a certificate of citizenship, you must submit the following forms
If you want to obtain a certificate for a child of your own, then you need to submit Form N-600, an application for a certificate of citizenship, and pay a fee of $ 160.
If you wish to obtain a certificate for a foster child, you must submit Form N-643, an application for a certificate of citizenship on behalf of the foster child, and pay a fee of $ 125.
If you are applying for a Certificate of Citizenship for a native or adopted child who is not currently residing in the United States, you may also need to file Form N-600 / N-643 Appendix A, Grandparents Citizenship Application. together with Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, or Form N-643, Application for Certificate of Citizenship on behalf of a foster child. There is no additional charge.
For the adoption of a child who lives abroad, documents must be submitted along with the form
If your child has not immigrated to the United States (does not have a Green Card), you must submit:
Baby photos
Pay a fee
Child’s birth certificate
Your birth certificate or naturalization certificate
Your marriage certificate, if applicable
Certificate of lawful dissolution of all previous marriages, if applicable
Certificate of full and final adoption, if applicable
Certificate of legal name change, if applicable
Form N-600 / N-643 Appendix A, Application for Citizenship through Grandparents (if applicable).
To adopt a child who was born abroad and lives in the United States, you must submit documents along with the form
For children who have immigrated to the United States, parents are not required to submit certificates that are already held by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, including the transfer of documents.
If the child immigrated to the United States (has a Green Card) as a result of full adoption, you must submit:
Baby photos
Pay a fee
If the child has immigrated to the United States (has a Green Card) and will be adopted or re-adopted, you must submit:
Baby photos
Pay a fee
Certificate of full and final adoption
Certificate of legal name change (if applicable)
Where to apply for citizenship for a foster child
If you are applying for a child who lives in the United States, you must file Form N-600, Certificate of Citizenship Application, or Form N-643, Application for Certificate of Citizenship on behalf of a foster child, with the United States Office of citizenship and immigration at the place of residence.
If you are applying for a child who lives overseas, you can file Form N-600, Certificate of Citizenship Application, or Form N-643, Application for Certificate of Citizenship on behalf of a foster child, at any U.S. office of Citizenship and Immigration Issues or a U.S. division. Your child will need to travel to the United States to complete the process.
A parent who is a US citizen can apply when Citizenship on behalf of a child born outside the United States who did not automatically acquire citizenship under Section 320 of the Children’s Citizenship Act (CCA), 2001. Apply for a Certificate of Citizenship on behalf of an adopted child.
You can replace the certificate of citizenship if it has been lost or damaged, as well as if your name or surname has changed. Apply for a replacement certificate of citizenship.
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