FAQ
How do I obtain a passport?
You will need to find a place near you where you can apply for a passport in person. If you go to http://iafdb.travel.state.gov and put in your zip code, it will tell you where to go near you.
To download the application for your passport, go to this link: http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html.
This link will answer any other questions you might have about obtaining a passport: http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/pubs/pubs_854.html
How do I obtain a passport for my adopted child?
For information on obtaining a passport for a child under 14, including your adopted child, go here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html
I just received my referral and did not receive my “brown envelope” from the American Consulate? What do I do?
Don’t worry! This happens sometimes. Just call our office. We can call the Consulate to verify they know you are coming and we will send copies of the paperwork you would have gotten in that envelope. You can visit the website for the American Consulate in China at http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn.
My spouse cannot travel with me to get our child. Does my state have preadoption requirements that we must meet?
Your homestudy agency should be able to answer the question about preadoption requirements. You can also check this link which is provided by the American Consulate in China, however, please verify this information with your homestudy agency: [link no longer active]. Information may have changed since this was created.
Where can I find information on the Adoption Tax Credit?
You can go to this link for information for taking the tax credit for 2004: www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html. This page includes links for downloading publications and forms for the tax credit. This link also gives further explanation of the rules for taking the credit: http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/CollegeandFamily/Raisekids/P37251.asp.
How do I download forms from USCIS?
This link takes you to the page where all USCIS forms can be downloaded or printed.
How long are my fingerprints for USCIS good for? Who must be fingerprinted for the I-600A and is there anything else I need to know about getting fingerprinted?
The fingerprints taken by the USCIS are good for 15 months from the date they were taken. This link at the USCIS site provides information on fingerprints for the I-600A.
How do I make an appointment with USCIS? How can I find out where my local USCIS office is? Can I call my local office?
Go here to make an appointment. Not all offices will let you make an appointment to submit a form or speak to an immigration officer. In this case, you will want to send your paperwork via some trackable method (not via regular mail). If your office does allow appointments to submit forms (Utah does), then you would make an appointment via the link above. You can find your local office by going to this link. Your office may have phone numbers listed, and you can certainly try calling them, but it is very difficult, if not impossible,to get through.
We are living in another country at this time, but we are U.S. citizens; how can we get fingerprints and submit the I-600A?
Through this page at USCIS, you will find information in the last paragraph about how to complete this while living abroad.
What is the difference between an IR-3 and an IR-4 visa?
An IR-3 visa is given to a child adopted overseas when both parents saw and observed the child prior to the adoption, and the adoption is completed in the foreign country (single parents–your children will also have an IR-3 visa in this case). Children who are issued IR-3 visas do not, under federal laws, require readoption in the U.S. (although your state of residence may require a readoption procedure).
An IR-4 visa applies when the foreign country’s laws only permit the adoptive parents to obtain guardianship of the child, rather than to fully adopt the child in the country and/or the prospective adoptive parent(s) did not see and observe the child prior to the adoption process. The adoption of children who have been issued an IR-4 visa must be completed in the United States. Your agency will be able to tell you what kind of visa your child will have.
How do I get my child’s social security card?
Whether your child comes on an IR-3 or IR-4 visa, you can obtain a social security card. However, if your child is on an IR-4 visa, then the social security number will be issued as a permanent resident. Later, you can go back to your social security office and get your child’s status changed. The social security number will not change, but the number would now show your child to be a citizen.
This is the Social Security Administration explanation: Social Security number for foreign-born adopted child.
Does my state require readoption? How do I go about it?
This is on a China adoption site, but the information would apply to children adopted from other countries as well: www.fwcc.org/readoption.htm. For information on readoption in your state, go to the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
