Adoption Paperwork

Just received this email and I have to say this was a bit of decent news (I have learned to be very pessimistic in this process, but remain hopeful!)

STAY TUNED… and pray. 

From: USCIS OFO HQ IA
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 9:45 AM
To: Wilkins, Jill
Subject: Chancelet Maurice


Dear Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins


First, let us congratulate you on the arrival of your adoptive child to the United States.  While your child's departure from Haiti was precipitated by a devastating earthquake, we are pleased to know that your child, and the other Haitian orphans who benefited from the Haitian Orphan Parole Program (HOPP) are here and safe. 

Your child's case file has received an initial review by USCIS, and we have tentatively determined that you have adopted your child under Haitian law. Please note that this is only a preliminary assessment; USCIS cannot make a formal decision whether this adoption qualifies as a full and final adoption for immigration purposes or any other issue concerning the child's eligibility to immigrate, until you have been interviewed and filed the appropriate petition and adjustment application.

Your case has been sent to the USCIS Field Office with jurisdiction over your place of residence. If you haven't already, you will receive an appointment to appear at your local USCIS office for the required interview and to file any necessary forms.  Your appointment notice will tell you which forms and supporting documents that you will need to bring with you.  The required fees for each form will also be listed. USCIS cannot accept applications or petitions without the proper fee. Please allow the field office sufficient time to review and schedule your case. 

For an intercountry adoption, U.S. law and regulation require that the adopting parents must show that they "personally saw and observed" the child before or during the adoption proceeding in order for the adoption to be considered full and final. Because of this, please be prepared to establish that you "personally saw and observed" your child no later than the final adoption hearing in Haiti.  This evidence may consist of passports with legible Haitian entry and departure stamps, flight tickets, boarding passes, hotel bills, and the like.  Photographs may also be submitted, but cannot be the sole form of evidence. If you cannot clearly establish that your adoption was a full and final adoption, the USCIS Officer interviewing you at the field office will inform you of that determination and can assist you with any other options that may be available.

Occasionally, individual circumstances may require a second appointment, even if all adoption requirements are satisfied.  For example, a separate fingerprinting appointment may be necessary, or a family with more than one adopted child paroled under HOPP will be scheduled for separate appointments due to differences in the circumstances of each child.  Also, failing to bring the proper ID, Form I‑693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, or other required documents, such as passport-style photographs of your child, may result in the need for a second appointment. 

In an orphan case, the Form I-600 petition must be filed no later than the child's 16^th birthday (or 18^th birthday, in certain cases involving adoption of birth siblings).  Scheduling priority will go to families with children who will soon reach their 16^th (or 18^th) birthday, and whose eligibility will otherwise be expiring in the near future.  

We expect all families receiving this message to be scheduled within the next two months.  If you have not received an appointment notice by September 30, 2010, please contact us.

We hope this information will be of assistance to you and wish you all the best.


Thank You,

USCIS Adoptions Unit