I-600 / Non-Hague Visa Process

I-600 filing options ( This is for Non-Hague Adoptions once Haiti is Hague the new instructions will be posted)

There are three ways of getting your I 600 filled that I am aware of.

1: File in the US and opt into the AOF program: The advantage of this is that once USICS gets your petition they schedule the parent interviews. It does save time on the end portion BUT word of warning.. if you get your adoption decree BEFORE they complete the AOF investigation you are no longer eligable for the AOF and have to send a notice to withdraw to your USCIS officer. Not many people are really familiar with this program and it can cause confusion. I had to follow up and make sure all the ends were connected.

2: File in the US and wait for all documents including your adoption decree.

Send all to your USCIS officer and then they send it to NVC. NVC (National Visa Center) then send electronic copies to PAP adoptions and they then schedule your Birth parent interview. Once that has been completed they send your total dossier to the Consulate to issue a visa appointment.

3. File in PAP at the Embassy,

The Embassy they then have all your documentation and can schedule the BPI and confirm all your paper work.. they then send to the consulate.

After the earthquake orphanages were not recommending travel to PAP. Now it seems that those who file in PAP are moving fairly smoothly.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS - 

You must present the following documents with Form I-600:

• Child's original birth certificate or, if unavailable, a written explanation together with secondary evidence of identity and age (e.g. a re-issued birth certificate listing the adoptive parents);
• Evidence that the child either has no parents or a sole/surviving parent unable to provide proper care who has irrevocably released the child for emigration and adoption;
• Evidence of adoption or intent to adopt.

NOTE: Any foreign language documents submitted with the I-600 petition must be accompanied by a full English translation, which the translator has certified as complete and correct, along with the translator's certification that he or she is competent to translate the foreign language into English. If you file Form I-600 at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, you must submit originals of the required documents along with the petition. If filing in the United States, USCIS permits petitioners to submit copies of some documents; please refer to the I-600 instructions for rules regarding the submission of original documents.

Facebook group discussion can be seen here