Adopted Children Immigrant Visa Unit

NEW I-600 PROCEDURE

The Consular Section of U.S. Embassy Hanoi and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) office in Ho Chi Minh City are pleased to announce that effective October 29, 2007, all I-600 petitions to Classify Orphans as an Immediate Relative will be accepted by mail.  This procedure will take the place of the current I-600 interview.
 
The aim of the new I-600 procedure is to protect both prospective adoptive parents and the integrity of international adoptions in Vietnam.  Both the Department of State and USCIS in Vietnam have encountered inconsistencies in the documentation and circumstances regarding the relinquishment or abandonment of children for adoption.  These irregularities may affect the eligibility of the child for classification as an orphan.  They have also resulted in long delays for parents awaiting resolution of these issues while they are in Vietnam.  In some cases, these circumstances have proved difficult to address or overcome for all parties involved.

We recognize that some cases will arise from petitioners traveling to Vietnam during the transition period.  Therefore, from October 29 through November 16, 2007 the Consular Section of U.S. Embassy Hanoi and the USCIS office in Ho Chi Minh City will accept requests for I-600 interviews on a case-by-case basis.  To request an interview during this period, please send an e-mail to hanoiadoptions@state.gov providing a justification as to why the I-600 cannot be submitted by mail.  Beginning November 17, 2007, I-600 petitions will only be accepted by mail. A public announcement regarding the new procedure will be forthcoming from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service at www.uscis.gov

INSTRUCTIONS

I-600 petitions and supporting documents should be mailed to one of the following addresses:

For standard U.S. mail:
U.S. Consulate General
Ho Chi Minh City
PSC 461 Box 500
FPO AP  96521-0002
Attn: DHS/CIS-Adoption

For express service:
U.S. Consulate General
4 Le Duan St. 
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Attn:  DHS/CIS-Adoption

US Embassy Hanoi will notify petitioners with a decision on the I-600 within approximately 60 days.  If recommended for approval, petitioners may travel to Vietnam to complete the Giving and Receiving Ceremony.  Once the adoption is complete, an immigrant visa interview may be scheduled with the US Embassy in Hanoi, as there will no longer be a separate I-600 interview.  If not recommended for approval, petitioners will be provided with written instructions on how to proceed.

Please note that only the USCIS office in Ho Chi Minh City can accept I-600 petitions for adoptions in Vietnam.  These petitions should not be filed with USCIS offices in the US.

I-600 Petitions to Classify Oprhans as an Immediate Relative should be accompanied by the following documents:

• I-600 – include email address of the petitioner
• Copy of approved I-171H
• Referral photo of child and date received
• Letter from licensed ASP stating that they are assisting the petitioner with the adoption.

Additional documentation (Please provide three copies of each document.  Each copy should be accompanied by an English translation.):

ABANDONMENT:

1)  Biological mother abandoned the child after giving birth in a hospital or medical center:

• Birth Certificate of Child
• Hospital record of biological mother’s admittance to and report of discharge from the hospital
• Request for authorities to locate the biological mother
• Police report confirming that biological mother could not be located
• Record of placing and receiving abandoned child into the orphanage
• Decision receiving child into the orphanage – DOLISA
• Request and proof of all public announcements concerning abandonment
• Confirmation from Government Officials that the child has not been recognized by relatives and there has been no application for domestic adoption
• Agreement to place the child for adoption with prospective adoptive parent

2)  Child found abandoned:

• Birth Certificate of Child
• Report of the child finder
• Report of certification of abandoned child
• Record of placing and receiving abandoned child into the orphanage
• Decision receiving child into the orphanage – DOLISA
• Request and proof of all public announcements concerning abandonment
• Confirmation from Government Officials that the child has not been recognized by relatives and there has been no application for domestic adoption
• Agreement to place the child for adoption with prospective adoptive parent

RELINQUISHMENT

• Birth Certificate of Child
• Statement from biological parent/s before government officials requesting to be allowed to relinquish the child - including the reason why it is necessary
• Commitment statement signed by biological parent/s and government officials relinquishing the child
• If the biological mother claims she is unmarried – government confirmation that the biological mother is single and no registered marriage certificate on record.
• Record of placing and receiving relinquished child into the orphanage
• Decision receiving child into the orphanage – DOLISA
• Agreement to place the child for adoption with prospective adoptive parent