Presently, U.S. citizens may petition for an alien child to immigrate to the United States after they adopt an alien child overseas, or anticipate adopting an alien orphan in a foreign country (please see Adoption of Foreign-born Orphans).

Except in the case of adoption of foreign-born orphans and siblings of an adopted child, the petitioners must prove that (1) the child was adopted before his or her 16th birthday; (2) the adoptive parent or parents have had legal custody of the adopted child for two years; and (3) the adopted child has resided with the petitioner for at least two years.

For other information about Adoption and Immigration, please click on one of the following topics below:

A Brief Background for Adoption
Who can be considered as a child?
What about an adopted child?
Adopted by a US Citizen
Adopted by a Permanent Resident
Adopted by an Alien with a Valid Non-immigration Visa
The Immigration Procedure for Adoption
Citizenship of the Adopted Child
Adopted Child and His Natural Parents

ORPHAN ADOPTION PROGRAM

Orphan Adoption Program and Eligibility
Advance Processing and Orphan Petitions
The Immigration Procedure for Adopted Orphans
Citizenship of the Adopted Orphan

HAGUE CONVENTION ADOPTION PROGRAM

Hague Convention Adoption and Eligibility
Differences between Hague adoptions (I-800) and orphan adoptions (I-600)

Frequently Asked Question about Adoption and Immigration

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