International Adoption
IMPORTANT: Please note that Uzbek regulations on processing adoptions have been changed. Uzbekistan now requires that both parents be physically present in Uzbekistan when initiating the adoption process and also when the adoption decree is issued. These changes may increase the number of trips to Uzbekistan or the length of stay during the adoption process. For more information on the number of required trips to Uzbekistan parents must contact their agents from the Uzbek side.
Attention Adoption Agencies and Coordinators: In order to process adoption cases in the most expeditious manner and to avoid unforeseen delays due to incomplete documentation, please submit adoption documents for review at least 5 business days prior to the date of the child’s expected interview date.
In accordance with U.S. law, there are several types of immigrant visas available for orphans, the most common of which are the IR-3 visa and the IR-4 visa.
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE VISA PROCESS
U.S. law distinguishes between orphans adopted overseas and orphans coming to the United States for adoption. An orphan fully adopted overseas may receive an IR-3 visa. To qualify for an IR-3, the child must have been seen by both parents prior to or during the adoption proceedings. An orphan who has not been fully adopted, or whose adoptive parents did not see him/her prior to the adoption's finalization may receive an IR-4 visa. Any child who enters the U.S. on an IR-4 immigrant visa must be re-adopted after he/she enters the United States, in accordance with applicable laws of the state in which the family resides. Thus, before an IR-4 visa can be issued, the consular officer must be sure that pre-adoption requirements by the child's future state of residence have been met. Adoptive parent(s) should determine in advance the requirements of their own particular state of residence. This information is available through the state social services agency, many adoption practitioners or district USCIS offices.
The IR-3 visa is appropriate for an orphan whose adoption has been fully processed overseas by the adoptive parents. There are two additional requirements that must also be met. When a couple is adopting the child, both parents must be able to show that they have seen the child in person prior to or during local adoption proceedings. If one of the parents is unable to be present at the time of the child’s immigrant visa interview, the other parent may provide photographs as proof that the missing parent met the presence requirement. Additionally, the adoptive parents must demonstrate that they reside in a state that does not require re-adoption in the U.S.
IR-4 visas are for orphans who will not be formally adopted in their country of birth, but whose prospective adoptive parents will complete the adoption process after the child’s entry into the U.S. In these cases, the prospective parents must demonstrate that they have legal custody of the child for the purpose of emigration and adoption. They must also show that they have satisfied any applicable pre-adoption requirements required by their state of residence.
Before departing the U.S., adoptive parents MUST ensure that their petitions and fingerprints are still valid. Petitions are only valid for 18 months. Fingerprints are valid for 15 months. Before the U.S. Embassy/Consulate may approve a visa for an adopted child, the consular officer must have a valid petition and valid fingerprints. U.S. Embassies or Consulates DO NOT have the authority to re-validate adoption petitions. Furthermore, after a petition is expired, a new home study will be required. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate may re-submit fingerprints for the parent(s) to USCIS on behalf of the parents. The fingerprinting fee is $85.00 per individual and the processing may take up to two weeks. Please note: if one parent remains in the U.S., that parent MUST go to the local USCIS office where the petition was filed and have the fingerprints re-submitted.
Parents must also make sure that the adoption petition has been amended to reflect ANY and ALL changes that have taken place after the approval of the petition PRIOR to departure. Please note: Amending the petition will also require a new home study and the new approved amended petition must be received by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, or the Embassy or Consulate will not be able to accept the I-600 for approval and process the adoption.
American citizens who are interested in adopting a child in Uzbekistan may find useful information regarding Uzbek and U.S. legal requirements in the Adoption Flyer for Uzbekistan or in the Family Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan
For any additional questions please contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy: TashkentIV@state.gov or by telephone at 998-71-140-2217. Please note that telephone calls are accepted Monday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 4p.m.
IR-3 PROCESS:
There are two Department of Homeland Security forms which related to orphan cases: I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition and I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative.
THE I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition
The I-600A form is an application specially designed to speed up an orphan petition process. A prospective parent(s) who plan to adopt a foreign born child may file the I-600A form when:
a) the prospective adoptive parent(s) have not yet identified a specific child for adoption but want to get the adoption pre-approved;
b) the prospective adoptive parent(s) intend to go abroad to locate a child for adoption.
WHERE TO FILE I-600A Application
The I-600A form can be filed by the prospective parents, one of whom must be a U.S. citizen, at local USCIS office in the United States or a DHS office abroad with jurisdiction over the place of residence of the adoptive parent(s). USCIS evaluates the suitability of the prospective adoptive parent(s). When the application is approved, notification is sent to the adoptive parents and to the appropriate U.S. mission in the country where the parents have indicated they would like to adopt. An adoptive or prospective parent with an approved form I-600A must still file and obtain an approved form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative
U.S. Embassies or Consulates may accept, with the concurrence of the regional USCIS having the jurisdictions over the consular district, a completed form I-600A with supporting document and appropriate fees from a U.S. Citizen resident of the consular district for transmittal to the regional USCIS office. Once the form is transferred by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to the regional USCIS office, a U.S. Citizen must direct all inquiries to this regional DHS office regarding other requirement and status of the case.
THE I-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative
The I-600 form is used when the adoptive parents have identified a specific child and the U.S. Citizen(s) has adopted or intends to adopt this child. Although only one parent must be physically present to file the I-600 petition overseas, that parent must be a U.S. citizen. A third party may not file the petition on the parents' behalf, even with a valid Power of Attorney. In addition, if only one of the two parents travels, the petition must nevertheless be properly executed (signed) by both parents after it has been completely filled out. This means one parent cannot sign for the other parent and neither parent may sign the petition until all the details about the child have been entered on the form. The traveling parent can, however, use express mail service to obtain the other parent's signature.
WHERE TO FILE I-600 Petition
The adoptive parents should file the I-600 Petition to Classify an Orphan as an Immediate Relative with the USCIS office having jurisdiction over their place of residence. If the adopting parent(s) have submitted an I-600A Application for Advance Processing to the USCIS and the approval notice has been forwarded to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the child's home country, the parent(s) may file the I-600 in person at that Embassy or Consulate. If there is no USCIS office in that country, a consular officer has the authority to approve the I-600, relying upon the approved I-600A as demonstration of the suitability of the prospective adoptive parent(s) and their compliance with any applicable state pre-adoption requirements.
The USCIS adjudicates all aspects of the I-600A petition - including the suitability of the adoptive parent(s), compliance with any state pre-adoption requirements (if the child is to be adopted after entry into the United States), and the qualifications of the child as an orphan within the meaning of section 101(b)(1)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (see USCIS brochure M-249Y). When the petition has been approved, the USCIS notifies the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that processes visas for residents of the child's country. At the same time, the approved I-600A petition and supporting documents are sent to the National Visa Center in New Hampshire, where the petition is assigned a computer tracking code and then mailed to the appropriate U.S. consular office abroad
VISA FEE
The fee for an immigrant visa is $400.00, which must be paid either in local currency or U.S. dollars in cash and credit card.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Once the adoption is finalized with Uzbek authorities, the family or their legal representative can contact the Consular Section at 998-71-140-2217. Please note that telephone calls are accepted Monday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 4p.m. or TashkentIV@state.gov to schedule the child’s immigration interview and medical examination with the panel physician.
LOCAL PROCESS AND DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS:
The government offices responsible for intercountry adoptions are the Uzbek Ministry of Education and the local Mayor's office (“Hokimiat”) in the region where the adoption takes place. Foreign adoption in Uzbekistan is time consuming. It can take from six months to two years. Under Uzbek law, the Guardianship and Trusteeship Organ (GTO) of each local Mayor’s office is responsible for settlement of orphans. Adoptive parents or their legal representatives must submit documents to a local Mayor through its GTO. U.S. and other foreign adoption agencies are legally allowed to operate in Uzbekistan but must be registered with the Uzbek government. Adoption is a sensitive issue in Uzbekistan, and some Uzbek officials are not in favor of foreign adoptions. Individuals wishing to adopt in Uzbekistan, therefore, may face unexpected opposition, even when a case has been fully processed and the adoption is ready to be formalized. Under the Uzbek law prospective adoptive parents may be married or single. The age difference between adoptive parents and adopted child must be not less than 15 years. There are no residency requirements for Uzbekistan. The Uzbek government charges small official fees, usually about $10 per document, for the submission and processing of the adoption application and corresponding documents.
Once the prospective adoptive parents have selected a child, they or their legal representatives should submit an application and supporting documents directly to the Guardianship and Trusteeship Organ (GTO) of the Mayor’s office (“Hokimiat”) of the region. The application should include the prospective parents’ names, place of residence, marital information, and complete information (name, age, sex) of any children they already have. It should also include the name, age and sex of the Uzbek child they wish to adopt.
After reviewing the family’s documentation, the GTO will pass the documents to the Mayor for approval. Based on the Mayor’s approval, the local Vital Records Office issues a new birth certificate. The new birth certificate includes the names of the adoptive parents and changes the child’s last name to the adoptive parents’ last name. First name and the date of birth of the child can be changed upon request. The date of birth may be changed, but not by more than one year. If a child is under ten years old, his/her place of birth can also be changed to another location within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
With the Mayor’s (Hokim's) permission and the vital record office, the Administration for Entry, Exit, and Citizenship issues a passport and exit permission to the child.
The following documents must be submitted to the Uzbek authorities by the prospective parents for an adoption:
1. Application to the GTO of the regional Hokimiat, with the information outlined above (names, place of residence, marital information, data on current children, and information about the prospective adoptive child);
2. Prospective adoptive parents’ passport(s);
3. Marriage certificates and/or divorce decrees, if applicable;
4. Residence (home study) certificate indicating the number of family members (this may be included in the home study);
5. Employment letter for the prospective adoptive parent(s), including salary information;
6. Letter of recommendation (description of personality) from a parent's employer, local city hall or home study agency;
7. Medical certificate from a doctor indicating that the prospective parents are healthy, do not have communicable diseases, and do not abuse drugs or alcohol.
8. Letter from U.S. Embassy, based on the approved I-600A notification (Visas 37) which states that the U.S. Government is aware of the family, and that relevant authorities have conducted a home study and approved the family for an adoption of an orphan.
Note: All documents must be translated into Uzbek or Russian by an official translator and authenticated by the Uzbek Embassy in the United States.
Additional information can be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the U.S.
Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the U.S.
1746 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202--887-5300
Fax: 202--293-6804
Email: info@uzbekistan.org
Website: www.uzbekistan.org
The Uzbek Family Code (Attachment No.3 to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 171 dated 12 April 1999) requires a letter from the U.S. Embassy to be submitted to the Uzbek authorities. The Consular Section issues the letter based on official confirmation of an approved I-600A Application. The Embassy also assists U.S. citizens to obtain a police certificate from Uzbek authorities, if necessary.
LIST OF DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT TO THE CONSULAR SECTION FOR IR-3 IMMIGRANT VISA.
Important Notice!
Any documents that are in a language other than English must be accompanied by a complete English translation. The translator must note that his/her work is accurate and that s/he is competent to translate. The full name of the translator, address and contact information is also required.
All documents must be submitted in original (or certified copy) and accompanied by two copies of each. Some documents submitted to the Embassy must be included in the immigrant visa packet and will not be returned. Therefore, adopting parents should obtain extra certified copies of the adoption decree and the child's new birth certificate for their personal use in the future.
All originals which are presented at the Embassy will be returned to the parents immediately following the interview with a Consular Officer. However, please note that Uzbek regulations require local authorities to keep the original of any documents in order to issue documents for the next step in the adoption process, the Consular Section requires adoptive parents or their legal representative to bring to the Consular Section an original document before it is submitted to the local authorities. The Consular Section will make a certified copy of these documents free of charge.
1. Adoptive parents' passports;
2. Child’s Uzbek Passport;
3. Child's original or a certified copy of the birth certificate (i.e. the one with the birth parents listed);
4. Documents demonstrating that the child was a true orphan: (according to the Attachment No.3 to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers’ of Uzbekistan No. 171 dated 12 April 1999) the following children can be adopted in Uzbekistan:
• whose parents died;
• whose parents were removed from parental rights;
• whose parents were acknowledged by a court to be incompetent;
• whose parents evaded raising or defending child’s rights and interests;
• whose parents did not visit the child at orphanages or hospitals for more than one years’ without legitimate reason;
• whose parents refused to take their child from orphanages or hospitals or other places;
• whose parents were acknowledged to be missing or declared to be deceased;
5. Adoption decree issued by the local mayor (khokim).
6. New birth certificate (i.e. the one which indicates the names of the American adoptive parents);
7. Letter from the child’s orphanage(s) including dates of the child's stay in the institution; whether the child was visited and a statement of no objection to the adoption by the orphanage;
8. Medical Report/History from the orphanage(s);
9. Medical exams results from the Embassy’s panel physician (please note that this exam is largely to ensure that children with communicable diseases do not enter the U.S.; parents should consult with other professionals for complete physical or mental evaluations of the orphan’s health). If significant health problems are uncovered, parents may be asked to sign an affidavit acknowledging their desire to continue with the case given the medical condition of the child. In addition, parents will be requested to sign Form DS 1981, Affidavit of Exemption from Immigrant Vaccination Requirements for a Foreign Adopted Child, which is an affidavit stating that the parents intend to obtain necessary vaccinations for the child upon entry to the United States;
10. Evidence of approved Form I-600A;
11. Form I-600 completed, signed and dated by the adoptive parents. This application may be approved by a consul in Tashkent within 18 months of the appointment of an I-600A. If an I-600A was not submitted or expired the I-600 application may be accepted by a consul in Tashkent and will be forwarded to the DHS office in Moscow for consideration;
12. Completed Immigrant Visa application, form DS-230, Parts I and II , signed by the parent or guardian on behalf of the child in the presence of a consular officer. Information on the form should pertain to the child, not the adopting parents;
13. Immigrant visa fee of $400.00 for each child;
14. Two 2”x2” frontal facial view photograph of the child with a white background.
THE IR-4 PROCESS:
There are two Department of Homeland Security forms which related to orphan cases: I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition and I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative.
THE I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition
The I-600A form is an application specially designed to speed up an orphan petition process. A prospective parent(s) who plan to adopt a foreign born child may file the I-600A form when:
a) the prospective adoptive parent(s) have not yet identified a specific child for adoption but want to get the adoption pre-approved;
b) the prospective adoptive parent(s) intend to go abroad to locate a child for adoption.
WHERE TO FILE I-600A Application
The I-600A form can be filed by the prospective parents, one of whom must be a U.S. citizen, at a local USCIS office (www.USCIS.gov) in the United States or a DHS office abroad with jurisdiction over the place of residence of the adoptive parent(s). USCIS evaluates the suitability of the prospective adoptive parent(s). When the application is approved, notification is sent to the adoptive parents and to the appropriate U.S. mission in the country where the parents have indicated they would like to adopt. An adoptive or prospective parent with an approved form I-600A must still file and obtain an approved form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative
U.S. Embassies or Consulates may accept, with the concurrence of the regional USCIS having the jurisdictions over the consular district, a completed form I-600A with supporting document and appropriate fees from a U.S. Citizen resident of the consular district for transmittal to the regional USCIS office. Once the form is transferred by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to the regional USCIS office, a U.S. Citizen must direct all inquiries to this regional DHS office regarding other requirement and status of the case.
THE I-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative
The I-600 is used when the adoptive parents have identified a specific child and the U.S. Citizen(s) has adopted or intends to adopt this child. Although only one parent must be physically present to file the I-600 petition overseas, that parent must be a U.S. citizen. A third party may not file the petition on the parents' behalf, even with a valid Power of Attorney. In addition, if only one of the two parents travels, the petition must nevertheless be properly executed (signed) by both parents after it has been completely filled out. This means one parent cannot sign for the other parent and neither parent may sign the petition until all the details about the child have been entered on the form. The traveling parent can, however, use express mail service to obtain the other parent's signature.
WHERE TO FILE I-600 Petition
The adoptive parents should file the I-600 Petition to Classify an Orphan as an Immediate Relative with the USCIS office having jurisdiction over their place of residence. If the adopting parent(s) have submitted an I-600A Application for Advance Processing to the USCIS and the approval notice has been forwarded to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the child's home country, the parent(s) may file the I-600 in person at that Embassy or Consulate. If there is no USCIS office in that country, a consular officer has the authority to approve the I-600, relying upon the approved I-600A as demonstration of the suitability of the prospective adoptive parent(s) and their compliance with any applicable state pre-adoption requirements.
The USCIS adjudicates all aspects of the I-600A petition - including the suitability of the adoptive parent(s), compliance with any state pre-adoption requirements (if the child is to be adopted after entry into the United States), and the qualifications of the child as an orphan within the meaning of section 101(b)(1)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (see USCIS brochure M-249Y). When the petition has been approved, the USCIS notifies the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that processes visas for residents of the child's country. At the same time, the approved I-600A petition and supporting documents are sent to the National Visa Center in New Hampshire, where the petition is assigned a computer tracking code and then mailed to the appropriate U.S. consular office abroad.
VISA FEE
The fee for an immigrant visa is $400.00, which must be paid either in local currency or U.S. dollars in cash and credit card.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Once the adoption is finalized with Uzbek authorities, the family or their legal representative can contact the Consular Section at 9998-71-140-2217. Please note that telephone calls are accepted Monday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 4p.m. or TashkentIV@state.gov to schedule the child’s immigration interview and medical examination with the panel physician
LOCAL PROCESS AND DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS:
The government offices responsible for intercountry adoptions are the Uzbek Ministry of Education and the local Mayor's office (“Hokimiat”) in the region where the adoption takes place. Foreign adoption in Uzbekistan is time consuming. It can take from six months to two years. Under Uzbek law, the Guardianship and Trusteeship Organ (GTO) of each local Mayor’s office is responsible for settlement of orphans. Adoptive parents or their legal representatives must submit documents to a local Mayor through its GTO. U.S. and other foreign adoption agencies are legally allowed to operate in Uzbekistan but must be registered with the Uzbek government. Adoption is a sensitive issue in Uzbekistan, and some Uzbek officials are not in favor of foreign adoptions. Individuals wishing to adopt in Uzbekistan, therefore, may face unexpected opposition, even when a case has been fully processed and the adoption is ready to be formalized. Under the Uzbek law prospective adoptive parents may be married or single. The age difference between adoptive parents and adopted child must be not less than 15 years. There are no residency requirements for Uzbekistan. The Uzbek government charges small official fees, usually about $10 per document, for the submission and processing of the adoption application and corresponding documents.
Once the prospective adoptive parents have selected a child, they or their legal representatives should submit an application and supporting documents directly to the Guardianship and Trusteeship Organ (GTO) of the Mayor’s office (“Hokimiat”) of the region. The application should include the prospective parents’ names, place of residence, marital information, and complete information (name, age, sex) of any children they already have. It should also include the name, age and sex of the Uzbek child they wish to adopt.
After reviewing the family’s documentation, the GTO will pass the documents to the Mayor for approval. Based on the Mayor’s approval, the local Vital Records Office issues a new birth certificate. The new birth certificate includes the names of the adoptive parents and changes the child’s last name to the adoptive parents’ last name. First name and the date of birth of the child can be changed upon request. The date of birth may be changed, but not by more than one year. If a child is under ten years old, his/her place of birth can also be changed to another location within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
With the Mayor’s (Hokim's) permission and the vital record office, the Administration for Entry, Exit, and Citizenship issues a passport and exit permission to the child.
The following documents must be submitted to the Uzbek authorities by the prospective parents for an adoption:
1. Application to the GTO of the regional Hokimiat, with the information outlined above (names, place of residence, marital information, data on current children, and information about the prospective adoptive child);
2. Prospective adoptive parents’ passport(s);
3. Marriage certificates and/or divorce decrees, if applicable;
4. Residence (home study) certificate indicating the number of family members (this may be included in the home study);
5. Employment letter for the prospective adoptive parent(s), including salary information;
6. Letter of recommendation (description of personality) from a parent's employer, local city hall or home study agency;
7. Medical certificate from a doctor indicating that the prospective parents are healthy, do not have communicable diseases, and do not abuse drugs or alcohol.
8. Letter from U.S. Embassy, based on the approved I-600A notification (Visas 37) which states that the U.S. Government is aware of the family, and that relevant authorities have conducted a home study and approved the family for an adoption of an orphan.
Note: All documents must be translated into Uzbek or Russian by an official translator and authenticated by the Uzbek Embassy in the United States.
Additional information can be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the U.S.
Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the U.S.
1746 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202--887-5300
Fax: 202--293-6804
Email: info@uzbekistan.org
Website: www.uzbekistan.org
The Uzbek Family Code (Attachment No.3 to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 171 dated 12 April 1999) requires a letter from the U.S. Embassy to be submitted to the Uzbek authorities. The Consular Section issues the letter based on official confirmation of an approved I-600A Application. The Embassy also assists U.S. citizens to obtain a police certificate from Uzbek authorities, if necessary.
LIST OF DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT TO THE CONSULAR SECTION FOR IR-4 IMMIGRANT VISA
Important Notice!
Any documents that are in a language other than English must be accompanied by a complete English translation. The translator must note that his/her work is accurate and that s/he is competent to translate. The full name of the translator, address and contact information is also required.
All documents must be submitted in original (or certified copy) and accompanied by two copies of each. Some documents submitted to the Embassy must be included in the immigrant visa packet and will not be returned. Therefore, adopting parents should obtain extra certified copies of the adoption decree and the child's new birth certificate for their personal use in the future.
All originals which are presented at the Embassy will be returned to the parents immediately following the interview with a Consular Officer. However, please note that Uzbek regulations require local authorities to keep the original of any documents in order to issue documents for the next step in the adoption process, the Consular Section requires adoptive parents or their legal representative to bring to the Consular Section an original document before it is submitted to the local authorities. The Consular Section will make a certified copy of these documents free of charge.
1. Adoptive parents' passports;
2. Child’s Uzbek Passport;
3. Child's original or a certified copy of the birth certificate (i.e. the one with the birth parents listed);
4. Documents demonstrating that the child was a true orphan: (according to the Attachment No.3 to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers’ of Uzbekistan No. 171 dated 12 April 1999) the following children can be adopted in Uzbekistan:
• whose parents died;
• whose parents were removed from parental rights;
• whose parents were acknowledged by a court to be incompetent;
• whose parents evaded raising or defending child’s rights and interests;
• whose parents did not visit the child at orphanages or hospitals for more than one years’ without legitimate reason;
• whose parents refused to take their child from orphanages or hospitals or other places;
• whose parents were acknowledged to be missing or declared to be deceased;
5. Adoption decree issued by the local mayor (khokim).
6. New birth certificate (i.e. the one which indicates the names of the American adoptive parents);
7. Letter from the child’s orphanage(s) including dates of the child's stay in the institution; wheather the child was visited and a statement of no objection to the adoption by the orphanage;
8. Medical Report/History from the orphanage(s);
9. Medical exams results from the Embassy’s panel physician (please note that this exam is largely to ensure that children with communicable diseases do not enter the U.S.; parents should consult with other professionals for complete physical or mental evaluations of the orphan’s health). If significant health problems are uncovered, parents may be asked to sign an affidavit acknowledging their desire to continue with the case given the medical condition of the child. In addition, parents will be requested to sign Form DS 1981, Affidavit of Exemption from Immigrant Vaccination Requirements for a Foreign Adopted Child, which is an affidavit stating that the parents intend to obtain necessary vaccinations for the child upon entry to the United States;
10. Evidence of approved Form I-600A;
11. Form I-600 completed, signed and dated by the adoptive parents. This application may be approved by a consul in Tashkent within 18 months of the appointment of an I-600A. If an I-600A was not submitted or expired the I-600 application may be accepted by a consul in Tashkent and will be forwarded to the DHS office in Moscow for consideration;
12. Completed Immigrant Visa application, form DS-230, Parts I and II , signed by the parent or guardian on behalf of the child in the presence of a consular officer. Information on the form should pertain to the child, not the adopting parents;
13. Immigrant visa fee of $400.00 (for each child;
14. Two 2”x2” frontal facial view photograph of the child with a white background.
15. I-864 Affidavit of Support with accompanying documentation (job letter, the latest tax return, etc.); Parents may wish to submit additional financial information on their ability to support the child, but will generally not be required to do so;
THE INTERVIEW IS OVER, SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
After the immigrant interview has been successfully concluded, adoptive parents will be provided with TWO packets of information. One packet will be sealed and should ONLY be opened by the DHS officer at the port of entry. The second packet will be unsealed and may be reviewed by Uzbek Immigration officials upon exiting the Republic of Uzbekistan. Please remember to pack BOTH sets of documents in your carry-on luggage to avoid any problems at the ports of exit and entry.
Once you arrive in the United States, your child’s status will depend on the type of visa he/she obtained. Only IR-3 child immediately becomes an American citizen. Information on aquisition of the U.S. Citizenship by children adopted abroad and in the U.S. can be found at http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/info/info_457.html#5
After your entry into the United States, you may also choose to obtain a Social Security Card for your child.