IMMIGRATION SERVICES FOR YOUTH BEING ADOPTED FROM OUTSIDE THE US | UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Accepts applications, processes, and rules on changing the status of a child born outside the United States to allow the child to be adopted by a United States citizen. Program is not a source of general information on international adoption.

Data provided by

211 Cleveland

Physical Address

Dept. Of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528

Hours

M, T, Th, F: 8:00am-3:45pm for local office. Hours to call national customer service center are M-F: 8:00am-8:00pm. Hours for military families to call special designated military hotline are M-F: 7:00am-3:30pm. Hours to check on status of international adoption or pending applications at Cleveland office are M-F: 1:00-4:00pm.

Application process

Call national customer service center for information or to request forms. Military families may call national military immigration hotline M-F: 7:00am-3:30pm. Must also call national center to request accommodation for a disability during an appointment. May also visit web site to download forms and may file some petitions online directly.

Fee

Fixed fee to file petitions. Separate fee for required fingerprinting. Individuals can apply for a waiver of fees. Agency may waive fees due to income, age, or disability status of applicant or for any of a variety of reasons. Application for fee waiver available by calling support center or downloading from web site.

Eligibility

Service provided for specific youth in the process of being adopted, including orphans. Youth, aged 16 and younger are eligible to be adopted by United States citizens.

Agency info

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coordinates activities at the state and national level that guard against terrorism, secure the borders of the United States, enforce immigration laws, and improve readiness for response to and recovery from disasters. Includes the Secret Service. The Coast Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agencies are part of this department but are listed as separate agencies.