Suitability-Related Changes
Alert: The fee rule (PDF) adjusts the fees required for most immigration applications and petitions, including adoption-related forms. The new rule is effective Oct. 2, 2020. Applications and petitions postmarked on or after Oct. 2, 2020, must include the new, correct fee amount or USCIS will reject the submission.
The fee rule (PDF) also makes several changes to orphan processing. These changes include:
- Requiring a new Form I-600A/I-600 Supplement 3, Request for Action on Approved Form I-600A/I-600, (with fee, as applicable) for prospective adoptive parents to request extensions, changes in country, and report updates;
- Shortening the validity period of the suitability approval (Form I-600A or Form I-600 for combination filings) from 18 months to 15 months from the date of the most recent biometrics result for the family; and
- Allowing for unlimited extensions of Form I-600A approvals (if eligible).
USCIS will begin accepting the new Form I-600A/I-600 Supplement 3 on Oct. 2, 2020. Until then, USCIS will process suitability-related actions under the current regulations. You may preview the new Form I-600/A Supplement 3 on the USCIS forms page.
Throughout the intercountry adoption process, USCIS must remain satisfied that you are suitable to adopt a child. You may need to request action on a pending or approved suitability application or a pending or approved concurrent (or combination) filing.
After you file for a suitability determination, changes in your case may require you to take additional actions. See the following links for more information:
Additional Information
For more information on the next steps of the Hague and orphan adoption processes, visit the Hague Process and Orphan Process webpages