Skip to main content
This is the USCIS preview website. Visit uscis.gov for the official USCIS site.
USCIS Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government    Here's how you know
Español
Multilingual Resources
Official Government Website

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Website

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
 
Sign In  
Access USCIS online services.
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
Sign In
Create Account
Horizontal Menu
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
  • Contact us
  • Multilingual Resources
  • Ask Emma
Main navigation
Skip to main content
  • Adoption
    • Before You Start
    • Immigration Through Adoption
      • Hague Process
      • Orphan Process
      • Family-Based Petition Process
      • The Universal Accreditation Act
      • Primary Provider No Longer Accredited
    • Country Information
    • Suitability and Home Study Information
      • Child Abuse Registries in Foreign Countries and Geographic Entities
      • Background Checks
      • Duty of Disclosure
    • Suitability-Related Changes
      • Change of Country
      • Extension and Validity Periods
      • Updated Home Studies and Significant Changes
    • Bringing Your Internationally Adopted Child to the United States
      • Before Your Child Immigrates to the United States
      • Your New Child's Immigrant Visa
      • With Your Child at the United States Port of Entry
    • U.S. Citizenship for an Adopted Child
      • After Your Child Enters the United States
      • Certificate of Citizenship for Your Internationally Adopted Child
    • Adult Adoptees and U.S. Citizenship
    • Adoption Contact Information
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Adoption
  3. Bringing Your Internationally Adopted Child to the United States

Bringing Your Internationally Adopted Child to the United States

There are three similar but distinct paths to bringing your adopted child to the United States. Which path your adopted child follows will depend on his or her individual circumstances.

Hague Process

If you filed Forms I-800A and I-800 in order to adopt, then your child is from a country that has implemented the Hague Adoption Convention (Hague). This means your child will enter the United States either with an IH-3 immigrant visa (if you adopted your child in a Hague country) or IH-4 immigrant visa (if you finalize the adoption in the United States).

Non-Hague Process

If you filed Forms I-600A and/or I-600 in order to adopt, then your child is from a country that has not implemented the Hague Adoption Convention. This means your child will enter the United States either with an IR-3 immigrant visa (adoption finalized in a non-Hague country and you [or your spouse, if married] saw your child prior to or during the adoption process) or an IR 4 immigrant visa (if you finalize the adoption in the United States).

Immediate Relative Process

If your child does not meet the requirements for the Hague or the non- Hague adoption processes, you may still be able to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on his or her behalf as the adopted child of a United States Citizen. Parents must accrue two years of legal and physical custody and obtain a full, final adoption of the child to be eligible to file an I-130. Legal and physical custody can be accrued at one stretch of time or cumulatively over several periods. They can also be accrued before, during and after the adoption. The two years must be accrued BEFORE you file Form I-130. Also, the adoption must be finalized before your child’s 16th birthday (or 18th birthday if they are a biological sibling of a child you have already adopted or will adopt). Your child will receive an IR-2 immigrant visa if he or she is found eligible.

If you are adopting from a Hague Convention country, certain restrictions apply that may prevent your child from immigrating to the United States using this process. Please fully research the adoption laws of the country you hope to adopt from before beginning the process.

Please see the topic “My child lives overseas with me” (in "Related Topics of Interest", below) for information on how your child might be able to acquire U.S. citizenship before moving permanently to the United States.

Related Links

More Information

  • U.S. Citizenship for an Adopted Child
  • Your New Child's Immigrant Visa
  • With Your Child at the United States Port of Entry
  • After Your Child Enters the United States
  • Related Topics of Interest
  • Certificate of Citizenship for Your Internationally Adopted Child
  • USCIS Adoptions Contact Information
  • Glossary

Forms

  • N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship

Non-USCIS Links

  • Adoption Service Providers
  • Department of State, Adoptions Page
Last Reviewed/Updated:
01/30/2020
Was this page helpful?
0 / 2000
To protect your privacy, please do not include any personal information in your feedback. Review our Privacy Policy.
Return to top
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
LinkedIn
Email
Contact USCIS
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal

USCIS.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Important links
  • About USCIS
  • Accessibility
  • Budget and Performance
  • DHS Components
  • Freedom of Information Act
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Privacy and Legal Disclaimers
  • Site Map
  • Office of the Inspector General
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov