I-800 Form – Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative

FREE-ONLINE-FORMS.COMI-800 Form – Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative – Adopting a child from another country is a complex and lengthy process, especially when it involves the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). One of the most important documents in the adoption process is Form I-800, also known as the Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative. This form needs to be completed properly and submitted to USCIS for approval before the adoption can be finalized.

Download I-800 Form – Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative

Form Number I-800 Form
Form Title Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative
Edition Date 03/10/17
File Size 218 KB

What is an I-800 Form?

The I-800 form is a document used by the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to petition for an adopted child from a foreign country to be classified as an Immediate Relative under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This form must be submitted by the adoptive parent or legal guardian of an adopted child who is not already a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, in order to begin the process of obtaining legal immigration status for the child. The I-800 form includes information about both parents and the adopted child, such as full names, dates of birth, countries of origin, marital status and other details required for USCIS review. All documents that are part of the adoption process must also be included with this form when it is filed with USCIS. Upon successful completion of all requirements associated with this petition, USCIS may grant conditional permanent residence or lawful permanent residence status to the adoptee based on their relationship with their adoptive parent or legal guardian in accordance with United States immigration laws.

Where Can I Find an I-800 Form?

The I-800 form is an official document from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that is used to petition for a convention adoptee to be classified as an immediate relative of the petitioning adoptive parents. This form must be filled out by the adoptive parents seeking to adopt a child who has been adopted in accordance with The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.

The I-800 form can be found online on the USCIS website, at no cost. Prospective adoptive parents are encouraged to read through all instructions prior to submitting the form, as improperly completed forms may cause significant delays in processing applications. The application package includes Form I-800 as well as several supporting documents such as proof of identity, proof of citizenship, police certificates from countries lived in within five years prior to filing, and other documents required by USCIS for international adoption cases involving a Hague Convention country.

Upon completion, applicants should submit their form along with fees and supporting documents via mail or courier directly to a designated lockbox facility operated by USCIS depending upon their state’s location. For example, residents of Illinois must send their application package to Chicago Lockbox Facility located at P.O Box 804625 Chicago IL 60680–4107.

I-800 Form – Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative

The I-800 form is an application used to petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to classify a Convention adoptee as an immediate relative. Once granted, the adoptee is eligible for lawful permanent residence in the United States. To apply for this classification, adoptive parents must submit Form I-800 with supporting documentation, including proof of adoption and the age of the adoptee.

In order to be approved for immediate relative status, applicants must provide evidence that they have met all eligibility requirements under the Hague Adoption Convention or IR-4 cases involving children adopted abroad by U.S. citizens who are returning with them to live in the United States. This includes providing proof that they have completed any necessary home studies required by their state of residence and any other country involved in the adoption process; evidence proving legal custody was obtained from all relevant authorities; verification of medical reports on both adoptive parents and child; written consent forms signed by all parties involved in granting custody; and financial resources required to maintain a standard household income as determined by USCIS guidelines.

Once submitted, USCIS will review all documents closely before issuing a determination on whether or not an individual should be classified as an immediate relative under U.S. immigration law.

I-800 Form Example

I-800 Form