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Yesterday I wrote about some of the reasons behind switching countries during the adoption process. The following is some information about how to make the switch. This is basic information and can vary from state to state and agency to agency, so please be sure to double check.
Depending on where you are in the process will determine how much paperwork needs to be re-done or amended. Your original birth certificates, marriage certificates, financial statements and the like can all be used for any country.
- First, check with the agency that you are currently working with. If they have programs in other countries (and you want to stay with them,) your transition should be smoother. Find out if they have any kind of country switching program in place to help you through the change.
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If your home study has already been completed, you will definitely need to get an addendum to your home study. Be sure to find out from your agency if there is anything in your original home study that will need to be altered to fit the cultural and governmental rules of the new country.
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A lot depends on what state you live in (some states won’t let you file your I600a without a home study, others will) so to be sure, contact your local USCIS office.
If you have already filed your immigration paperwork and received your approval (I-171H,) you will need to file a separate form to change countries. Once you have your I-171H in hand, you will need to submit an I-824 form (Application for Action on an Approved Application) to switch your country.
It seems that it would be in the applicant’s best interest to send your original home study, home study addendum and fingerprint report along with it, just to cover all bases. Filing the I-824 costs $200.00. You may receive an I-797C,Notice of Action stating that they got your application before you get final approval. - Above all else, please do your research when choosing an agency to work with in Viet Nam. Our Viet Nam Adoption Forum at adoption.com has a list of parents who are willing to share their experiences with their agencies. Here are some links about how to choose an ethical agency working in Viet Nam, and a list of the adoption agencies currently licensed in Viet Nam.
