Filing Instructions for Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative

Alert: Before sending your package to USCIS, make sure that all the forms you have completed are the current acceptable edition. The current acceptable edition can be found under the Edition Date section listed on each form’s webpage.

You can also find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions. For each form that you are submitting, make sure that all pages are from the same form edition. If any of the form’s pages are from a different form edition, we may reject your form. Watch USCIS Forms: Download the most recent version! to see how to ensure your form is acceptable.

For additional guidance on filing paper-based forms at the Lockbox and how to avoid or correct common errors before you file, please visit the Five Steps to File at the USCIS Lockbox webpage.

NOTE:

The “Where to File” guidance in the Form I-600A and Form I-600 instructions refers the public to this website for filing location guidance. Please use these instructions.
Only USCIS can adjudicate a Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, or determine parental suitability and eligibility in a “concurrent” Form I-600 filing that does not contain an underlying valid and approved Form I-600A.
The Department of State can never accept a Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, or determine parental suitability or eligibility in a “concurrent” Form I-600 filing that does not contain an underlying Form I-600A approval. But Department of State can accept certain Form I-600 petitions that are based on valid and approved Form I-600A applications in countries where USCIS does not have an office provided that the prospective adoptive parents are, at some point during the adoption process, physically present in the jurisdiction of the US Embassy or consulate designated to act on the petition.

If you:	Then file Form I-600 at the:
Have a valid and approved Form I-600A and wish to file your Form I-600 in the U.S. The USCIS National Benefits Center will adjudicate your Form I-600. Some countries require prospective adoptive parents to personally appear during adoption/custody proceedings. You may still file with USCIS domestically after obtaining all necessary supporting documents.	Dallas Lockbox Facility U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USCIS Attn: Adoption P.O. Box 660088 Dallas, TX 75266-0088 FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: USCIS Attn: Adoption (Box 660088) 2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business Suite 400 Lewisville, TX 75067-8003
Have a valid and approved Form I-600A, and wish to file your Form I-600 abroad. You must be physically located, at some point during the adoption process, within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate designated to act on the petition (generally in the country where the child resides).	The U.S. embassy, or Consulate designated to act on the petition.
Do not have a pending or approved Form I-600A, but have identified an orphan for adoption and want to file your Form I-600 together with your Form I-600A supporting documents. Regardless of where you reside, you must file domestically. The USCIS National Benefits Center will adjudicate your Form I-600 and determine parental suitability and eligibility together with the child’s eligibility as an orphan. You only need to file Form I-600 (which in this case acts as both the forms I-600A and I-600), but you must submit all the documents required by both Forms I-600 and I-600A, including a home study with original signatures. Some countries require prospective adoptive parents to personally appear during adoption/custody proceedings.	Dallas Lockbox Facility U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USCIS Attn: Adoption P.O. Box 660088 Dallas, TX 75266-0088 FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: USCIS Attn: Adoption (Box 660088) 2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business Suite 400 Lewisville, TX 75067-8003

If you:

Then file Form I-600 at the:

Have a valid and approved Form I-600A and wish to file your Form I-600 in the U.S.
The USCIS National Benefits Center will adjudicate your Form I-600.
Some countries require prospective adoptive parents to personally appear during adoption/custody proceedings. You may still file with USCIS domestically after obtaining all necessary supporting documents.

Dallas Lockbox Facility

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
Attn: Adoption
P.O. Box 660088
Dallas, TX 75266-0088

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: Adoption (Box 660088)
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067-8003

Have a valid and approved Form I-600A, and wish to file your Form I-600 abroad.
You must be physically located, at some point during the adoption process, within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate designated to act on the petition (generally in the country where the child resides).

The U.S. embassy, or Consulate designated to act on the petition.

Do not have a pending or approved Form I-600A, but have identified an orphan for adoption and want to file your Form I-600 together with your Form I-600A supporting documents.
Regardless of where you reside, you must file domestically.
The USCIS National Benefits Center will adjudicate your Form I-600 and determine parental suitability and eligibility together with the child’s eligibility as an orphan.
You only need to file Form I-600 (which in this case acts as both the forms I-600A and I-600), but you must submit all the documents required by both Forms I-600 and I-600A, including a home study with original signatures.
Some countries require prospective adoptive parents to personally appear during adoption/custody proceedings.

Dallas Lockbox Facility

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
Attn: Adoption
P.O. Box 660088
Dallas, TX 75266-0088

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: Adoption (Box 660088)
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067-8003

Last Reviewed/Updated:

09/24/2024

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Filing Instructions for Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative