Extension and Validity Periods
After you file your child’s Form I-600 or Form I-800 petition, you do not need to continue to extend your Form I-600A or Form I-800A approval or file a new Form I-600A s or Form I-800A application.
However, if you are approved to adopt more than one child, you have not filed Form I-600(s) or Form I-800(s) for the number of children you are approved to adopt, and you wish to continue to adopt based on your approved Form I-600A or Form I-800A, you will need to keep your Form I-600A or Form I-800A valid until you have filed a Form I-600 or Form I-800 for each child.
For the orphan process, you may choose not to file a separate Form I-600A application, and instead, you may request a suitability determination with your child’s Form I-600 (known as concurrent or combination filing), instead of filing Form I-600A.
For more information on suitability approval extensions and validity periods for the orphan and Hague processes, see the tables below. For information on the ongoing duty of disclosure and suitability-related changes during the intercountry adoption process, see our Updated Home Studies and Significant Changes page.
Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition
Initial Approval | Approval Extension |
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Initial Approval Expires: 15 months from the date of approval Example: If we approved your Form I-600A on Apr. 1, 2024, your approval is valid through Jul. 1, 2025. | How to Request an Extension:
See the Form I-600A instructions for more information. Extension Expires: 15 months from the extension approval date. Example: Your initial Form I-600A approval is valid through Jul. 1, 2024. If you file Form I-600A/I-600, Supplement 3 , to request an extension on Jun. 15, 2024, and we approve your extension request on Aug. 15, 2024, your extension will be valid through Nov. 15, 2025. |
Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country.
Initial Approval | Approval Extension |
---|---|
Initial Approval Expires: 15 months from the date of approval. Example: If we approved your Form I-800A on Apr. 1, 2024, your approval is valid through on Jul. 1, 2025. | How to Request Extensions:
See the Form I-800A instructions for more information. Extension Expiration: 15 months from extension approval date. Example: Your initial Form I-600A approval is valid through Jul. 1, 2024. If you file your Form I-800A, Supplement 3, to request an extension on Jun. 15, 2024, and we approve it on Aug. 15, 2024, your extension will be valid through Nov. 15, 2025. |