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Official form guide
Form I-600A: Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition
Form I-600A is the Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition. It is filed by a U.S. citizen or permanent‑resident sponsor before the actual orphan petition (Form I-600) is submitted, to obtain a waiver of the sponsor’s income requirement.
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USCIS Form I-600A - Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition
Form I-600A is the Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition. It is filed by a U.S. citizen or permanent‑resident sponsor before the actual orphan petition (Form I-600) is submitted, to obtain a waiver of the sponsor’s income requirement.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1A single missing document can trigger an RFE that adds months to the process.
- 2Incorrect sponsor income calculation
- 3Missing or outdated tax documents
- 4Signature on the wrong page
- 5Wrong mailing address for the current edition
Plain English
If you want to adopt a child from abroad but don’t yet have the full adoption paperwork, you can use I‑600A to prove you can support the child financially. The government reviews your income and background first, so the later I‑600 petition moves faster.
Submission Date
- Filing date: File I‑600A after you have identified a child you intend to adopt, but before you submit Form I‑600. There is no statutory deadline, but filing early avoids delays in the overall adoption process.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when you need an income waiver before filing the actual orphan petition.
- Do not use if you already have an approved I‑600 or are filing a domestic adoption.
- If the child is in the U.S., you must file Form I‑800 (intercountry adoption) instead.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
You have already filed Form I‑600
The I‑600 already includes income evidence
✓ Verify you don’t need I‑600A
Adopting a child already in the U.S.
Different eligibility rules
✓ Confirm child’s location before proceeding
Sponsor is a non‑citizen, non‑resident
Ineligible to sponsor
✓ Seek legal counsel
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed filing deadline for I‑600A, but filing as soon as you have identified the child and gathered financial proof prevents later bottlenecks. If you wait until after the I‑600 is filed, USCIS may request the same evidence again, causing delays.
- —Annual household income | Compare to 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines | Income adequacy result | If below, consider a joint sponsor
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Sponsor personal info
Completed Form I-600A · Instructions, Part 1
Income proof
Most recent tax return (Form 1040) · IRS transcript or copy
Proof of domicile
Utility bill, lease, or mortgage · Recent document (≤6 months)
Background check
Form I-864A (if joint sponsor) · Completed and signed
Fee payment
Check or money order · Payable to ‘U.S. Department of Homeland Security’
Before you submit
- 1Use the latest edition of Form I‑600A
- 2All sponsor signatures are present and inked
- 3Fee amount matches the edition’s required fee
- 4Tax returns and W‑2s cover the most recent tax year
- 5Proof of domicile is dated within six months
- 6Any joint sponsor documents are complete
- 7Package assembled in the order listed in the Instructions
- 8Mail to the exact USCIS Lockbox address
- 9Retain a copy of the entire packet for your records
- 10Record the tracking number and expected delivery date
- 11Check for a receipt notice (Form I‑797C) within 2‑3 weeks
- 12Verify the receipt notice lists the correct sponsor name
How to file this form
- 1Download the current I‑600A PDF and the accompanying Instructions.
- 2Print the form on single‑sided paper; fill in all fields legibly in black ink.
- 3Collect required financial documents (tax return, W‑2, proof of assets).
- 4Prepare the fee payment (check or money order) for the exact amount.
- 5Assemble the packet: cover letter, Form I‑600A, fee, financial docs, domicile proof, background forms.
- 6Seal the package and label it with the correct USCIS Lockbox address.
- 7Mail via a traceable service (e.g., USPS Priority Mail with tracking).
Known limitations
- 1USCIS does not accept electronic submissions for I‑600A.
- 2The form does not itself grant adoption status; a later I‑600 is still required.
- 3Income thresholds are based on federal poverty guidelines that change annually.
- 4Joint sponsor information must be submitted on a separate Form I‑864A, not on I‑600A.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant Info
3 items
Your current legal name.
MM/DD/YYYY.
Alien Registration Number if previously assigned.
Details
1 items
The specific reason or legal basis for filing this form.
Evidence
1 items
List of documents supporting this application.
Signatures
2 items
Sign under penalty of perjury.
MM/DD/YYYY.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Check the USCIS website for the latest edition date and fee schedule before preparing the packet. The form is currently at the 12/2023 edition.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date – confirm 12/2023 or later
- Fee – $535 (check current fee table)
- Mailing address – use the address for I‑600A in the Instructions
- Signature block – sponsor must sign in ink
- Supporting document order – follow the checklist in the Instructions
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Track the mailing receipt until the USCIS receipt notice arrives.
- 2Save the Form I‑797C receipt notice and note the case number.
- 3Monitor case status online using the receipt number.
- 4If an RFE is issued, gather the requested documents within the given deadline.
- 5Keep copies of all correspondence in a dedicated adoption file.
- 6Notify the child’s orphanage or foreign agency that the waiver is pending.
- 7When the I‑600A is approved, retain the approval notice for the later I‑600 filing.
Sources
- SRCUSCIS Form I‑600A Instructionsprovides purpose and sponsor requirements
- SRCUSCIS Fee Schedulelists current $535 fee for I‑600A
- SRCUSCIS Lockbox address listgives mailing address for I‑600A packets
- SRCForm I‑600A PDFshows fields for sponsor info, income, and signature
- SRCUSCIS Policy Manualexplains advance processing and income waiver concept
- SRCNot clearly stated in the provided official source
Common confusion points
I‑600A vs. I‑600
Sponsors think they are filing the adoption petition itself
→ Verify which stage you are at
Joint sponsor requirement
Some think a joint sponsor can be added later
→ Joint sponsor must be listed now if income is insufficient
Fee amount
Fee changes each edition
→ Confirm fee in the current Instructions
Mailing address
USCIS updates lockbox addresses per edition
→ Double‑check the address in the latest Instructions
Proof of domicile
Sponsors sometimes submit old utility bills
→ Use a document dated within the last six months
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form I‑290B (Notice of Appeal or Motion) – to challenge a denial
Source transparency
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