Contact CHI for our Associate Agency in your area. CHI can either assist or advise you.

What is a Home Study?
A Home Study is a report required by adoption officials affirming that you are suitable to be a parent(s) of a child and can provide the stability and home environment that a child needs. It consists of possibly 4 face-to-face meetings and a home visit. You will likely be asked to write a brief autobiography and to submit the following photocopies (not originals):

1. Photocopies of Birth Certificates for each family member.
2. Photocopy of Marriage Certificate.
3. Photocopy of letter from local police stating "no criminal record".
4. Photocopy of financial statement.
5. Photocopy of medical form from your Doctor stating positive condition of physical/mental health.
6. Reference letters
7. Post-Placement agreement must be completed and included in the Home Study.

  2.     CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION  SERVICE  (CIS)

Because you are adopting from abroad, you need to get US approval for a visa for your child. 

1. If you do not have the forms for an adoption packet application you may either: Call the CIS for the forms.
   1-800-870-FORMS or download from http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/  
2. Fill out the I-600A only
3. Send photocopy of Birth Certificates, or proof of citizenship.
4. Send photocopy of Divorce Decree if applicable.
5. Send photocopy of Marriage Certificate if applicable.
6. Favorably recommended Home Study. 
7. $670 plus $80 per person for finger prints, must be cashier's check or money order!
   If you have questions, please visit the CIS website (www.ins.gov)http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-600a.htm . CHI will send you an I-600A application, if needed, when we approve your application.

   Form I-600A  Block I - This section is self-explanatory.  If only one parent plans to travel to pick up the child, they should be the primary petitioner and fill in items # 1-7.  The non-traveling spouse will be listed in # 8.  If both parents are traveling, you can do it however you like. The Petitioner must be a US citizen.

   Block II (back page) should be filled out as shown below:

    

   2) Do not submit completed fingerprint cards with your application. Include PHOTO COPIES of Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificate; Divorce Decree(s), if applicable. Note: These documents DO NOT not need to be Notarized, Certified or Authenticated. Send by certified mail so you will know when it is received.

   3) Submit $80 for each person to be fingerprinted in addition to the application fee of $670, payable to CIS with your application. All adults living in the home and children above the age of 18 are required to be fingerprinted.

    4) After CIS receives your application, they will send you a letter with the time and address of your fingerprinting appointment at the nearest CIS Application Support Center. 

    5) You should receive your  I-171-H Form “Notice of Favorable Determination Concerning Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition” approximately 60 to 90 days after application.

   NOTE:  Your dossier cannot be sent abroad without your I-171H approval from CIS. If special help is required to check on your INS application status, contact a local U.S. Representative or Senator’s office, but wait at least 90 days.

    6) The I-171H Approval is valid for 18 months from the date of issue.  You will need to file for the child’s visa at the American Consulate abroad before it expires.  There are no extensions, if you do not travel before that date, you will need to re-file a new I-600A application with CIS.

    7) Keep the original I-171H and take it abroad with you.  A photocopy of the I-171H must be Notarized, State Certified and Authenticated and included in your Dossier.

    8) You should receive a packet from the American Consulate approximately 60-90 days after receiving your I-171H form.  This packet will confirm receipt of the cable wired by the local CIS office, contain your GUZ case number and forms to be submitted at your interview appointment when applying for your child’s visa in country.  Keep in a safe place and we will instruct you when to complete these documents just prior to your travel.

   9) If you do not receive a package from the American Consulate 90-120 days after you received your I-171H Approval, please call our office and we will check on the status of the cable for you.

3.     DOSSIER - (The Papers to be Collected)

All of the documents below must be originals. [Each country will have a slightly different list and that will be clearly outlined in the Adoption Guide.]  After you send your application to CHI and receive acceptance:

1. Collect these documents (see CHIFamily.Net® for full details) :
   1. Petition to Adopt
   2. Home Study
   3. CIS Approval (I-171H)
   4. Marriage Certificate or Statement of Singleness
   5. Birth Certificates (For adoptive parent(s) only.)
   6. Medical Report Form(s)
   7. Financial Statement Form
   8. Employer letter(s)
   9. Police Report(s)
2. Get the documents Notarized.
3. Get the documents State Certified.
4. Get the documents Authenticated by the Chinese Consulate.
5. Send all of these documents to Children's Hope International to be reviewed

You will receive complete step-by-step instructions from your Personal Adoption Consultant and from the CHI Family Net®

Families who have adopted:  References and Contact

Download   Adoption Guide and Country Profile

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