This week we’re going over the steps involved in a Vietnamese adoption. So far, we have covered making the decision to adopt, deciding on Viet Nam, choosing an adoption agency and completing the home study process. Now we’ll move on to the process as it has to do with the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.) Basically, your home study grants their approval for you to adopt on a state level, and USCIS will grant approval on a federal level. They will also be the entity that examines your child’s paperwork to ensure that they are truly eligible for adoption according to their standards.

The first form that you will complete for USCIS is the I-600A (Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition.) Depending on which state you live in, you will either send this in before your home study report is complete, or you will send it in together with your completed home study report. You will submit your I-600 form, fingerprinting fees and your home study report and you will then be given an appointment to be fingerprinted. After your case has been reviewed and approved, you will receive your I-171H which states the fact that you have “passed” and can become an adoptive parent.

In the early stages of the adoption process your agency will have you complete the G28 form, which allows your adoption agency to act on your behalf when it comes to any USCIS matters.

The submission procedures for the I600 Petition were changed recently. This petition to classify an orphan as an immediate relative is completed after you accept your referral. Parents will now be required to mail their petition to Viet Nam before being granted a travel date. The USCIS in Viet Nam will receive the I600, review the child’s case and determine if that child is free for adoption and can be granted a visa to come to the United States.

You can read more about USCIS paperwork and where to access the forms HERE.

More Reading:
Choosing a Viet Nam Adoption Agency
Deciding to Adopt from Viet Nam
Making the Decision to Adopt