U.S. CitizenshipThe country in which a person is born (and has not renounced or lost citizenship) or naturalized and to which that person owes allegiance and by which he or she is entitled to be protected. and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new address for prospective adoptive parents to submit Form I 600, Petition to Classify OrphanThe Immigration and NationalityThe country of a person’s citizenship or country in which the person is deemed a nationalA person owing permanent allegiance to a state. Act provides a definition of an orphan for the purposes of immigration to the United States. A child may be considered an orphan because of the death or disappearance of, abandonment or desertion by, or separation or loss from, both parents. The child of an unwed mother or surviving parent may be considered an orphan if that parent is unable to care for the child properly and has, in writing, irrevocably released the child for emigration and adoption. The child of an unwed mother may be considered an orphan, as long as the mother does not marry (which would result in the child’s having a stepfather) and as long as the child’s biological father has not legitimated the child. If the father legitimates the child or the mother marries, the mother is no longer considered a sole parent. The child of a surviving parent may also be an orphan if the surviving parent has not married since the death of the other parent (which would result in the child’s having a stepfather or stepmother). Note: Prospective adoptive parents should be sure that a child fits the definition of ”orphan” before adopting a child from another country, because not all children adopted abroad meet the definition of “orphan,” and therefore may not be eligible to immigrate to the United States. Out of Wedlock (born out of wedlock) - A child born of parents who were not legally married to each other at that time. Note: Adoptive and prospective adoptive parents of a child who was born out of wedlock in any country should find out whether or not the child has been legitimated. as an Immediate RelativeSpouseLegally married husband or wife. A co-habiting partner does not qualify as a spouse for immigration purposes. A common-law husband or wife may or may not qualify as a spouse for immigration purposes, depending on the laws of the country where the relationship occurs., widow(er) and unmarried children under the age of 21 of an American citizen. A parent is an immediate relative if the American citizen is 21 years of age or older. There are no numerical limits to immigration of immediate relativesCertain immigrants who because of their close relationship to U.S. citizens are exempt from the numerical limitations imposed on immigration to the United States. Immediate relatives are: spouses of citizens, children (under 21 years of age and unmarried) of citizens, and parents of citizens 21 years of age or older.., and Form I 600A, Application for Advance Processing of OrphanThe Immigration and NationalityThe country of a person’s citizenship or country in which the person is deemed a nationalA person owing permanent allegiance to a state. Act provides a definition of an orphan for the purposes of immigration to the United States. A child may be considered an orphan because of the death or disappearance of, abandonment or desertion by, or separation or loss from, both parents. The child of an unwed mother or surviving parent may be considered an orphan if that parent is unable to care for the child properly and has, in writing, irrevocably released the child for emigration and adoption. The child of an unwed mother may be considered an orphan, as long as the mother does not marry (which would result in the child’s having a stepfather) and as long as the child’s biological father has not legitimated the child. If the father legitimates the child or the mother marries, the mother is no longer considered a sole parent. The child of a surviving parent may also be an orphan if the surviving parent has not married since the death of the other parent (which would result in the child’s having a stepfather or stepmother). Note: Prospective adoptive parents should be sure that a child fits the definition of ”orphan” before adopting a child from another country, because not all children adopted abroad meet the definition of “orphan,” and therefore may not be eligible to immigrate to the United States. Out of Wedlock (born out of wedlock) - A child born of parents who were not legally married to each other at that time. Note: Adoptive and prospective adoptive parents of a child who was born out of wedlock in any country should find out whether or not the child has been legitimated. PetitionForm I-600.  Applicants have a 30-day transition period before USCIS will return incorrectly filed petitions.  Applicants were previously required to file at a local USCIS field office. 

Beginning immediately, applicants in the United States who are filing to adopt an orphanThe Immigration and NationalityThe country of a person’s citizenship or country in which the person is deemed a nationalA person owing permanent allegiance to a state. Act provides a definition of an orphan for the purposes of immigration to the United States. A child may be considered an orphan because of the death or disappearance of, abandonment or desertion by, or separation or loss from, both parents. The child of an unwed mother or surviving parent may be considered an orphan if that parent is unable to care for the child properly and has, in writing, irrevocably released the child for emigration and adoption. The child of an unwed mother may be considered an orphan, as long as the mother does not marry (which would result in the child’s having a stepfather) and as long as the child’s biological father has not legitimated the child. If the father legitimates the child or the mother marries, the mother is no longer considered a sole parent. The child of a surviving parent may also be an orphan if the surviving parent has not married since the death of the other parent (which would result in the child’s having a stepfather or stepmother). Note: Prospective adoptive parents should be sure that a child fits the definition of ”orphan” before adopting a child from another country, because not all children adopted abroad meet the definition of “orphan,” and therefore may not be eligible to immigrate to the United States. Out of Wedlock (born out of wedlock) - A child born of parents who were not legally married to each other at that time. Note: Adoptive and prospective adoptive parents of a child who was born out of wedlock in any country should find out whether or not the child has been legitimated. must submit Forms I 600, I 600A, and all supporting documents and fees to the following address: 

Beginning Monday November 9, USCIS will return to the applicantPerson who wants something for him/herself and makes a request for it (asks for it). The request is usually in writing. any Form I 600 or I 600A, and supporting documents, incorrectly submitted to a USCIS office in the United States. The applicantPerson who wants something for him/herself and makes a request for it (asks for it). The request is usually in writing. will be instructed to mail the application to the Lewisville, Texas address.  However, applicants may continue to file extensions of approved Forms I-600A at their local USCIS field office. 

Prospective adoptive parents, who reside abroad, may continue to file the Form I-600A with a USCIS international office, or they may send the petition to the Lewisville, Texas address if they have an address in the United States they plan to return to.

U.S. citizens outside the United States may continue to file the Form I-600 at a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate or USCIS office abroad that has jurisdictionAuthority to apply the law in a given territory or region. For example, the INSA branch of the Department of Justice that formerly existed and had responsibility for immigration and naturalizationThe conferring, by any means, of citizenship upon a person after birth.. INS has been renamed and became part of Department of Homeland Security (DHSThe mission of the Department of Homeland Security -The many men and women who daily protect our borders and secure our country are committed to the safety of our homeland. DHS is now responsible for immigration and naturalizationThe conferring, by any means, of citizenship upon a person after birth.. Visit the DHS web site for more information.) on March 1, 2003. We link to the Department of Homeland Security (DHSThe mission of the Department of Homeland Security -The many men and women who daily protect our borders and secure our country are committed to the safety of our homeland. DHS is now responsible for immigration and naturalizationThe conferring, by any means, of citizenship upon a person after birth.. Visit the DHS web site for more information.) Internet site. We also link to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the DHSThe mission of the Department of Homeland Security -The many men and women who daily protect our borders and secure our country are committed to the safety of our homeland. DHS is now responsible for immigration and naturalizationThe conferring, by any means, of citizenship upon a person after birth.. Visit the DHS web site for more information.. districtGeographic areas into which the United States and its territories are divided for the Immigration and NaturalizationThe conferring, by any means, of citizenship upon a person after birth. Service’s field operations or one of three overseas offices located in Rome, Bangkok, and Mexico City. Each District Office, headed by a District Director, has a specified service area that may include part of a state, an entire state, or many states. District Offices are where most USCIS field staff are located. District Offices are responsible for providing certain immigration services and benefits to people resident in their service area, and for enforcing immigration laws in that jurisdiction. Certain applications are filed directly with District Offices, many kinds of interviews are conducted at these Offices, and USCIS staff is available to answer questions, provide forms, etc. office in the area where a person lives has jurisdiction or authority to decide on a fiance(e) petition. to accept the petition. However, in order to file a Form I-600 petition abroad, the petitioner must have an approved Form I-600A and be physically present in the country where they are filing.

We will postAmerican Embassy, consulate or other diplomatic mission abroad. Not all American embassies, consulates and missions are visa-issuing posts. additional information at www.bashyamspiro.com when it becomes available.