I-800 Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as Immediate Relative

TITLE: I-800 Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as Immediate Relative

WHAT IT IS:

Form I-800 is used by a U.S. citizen who is adopting a child. It asks USCIS to decide if the child qualifies as a “Convention adoptee.” A Convention adoptee is a child who lives in a country that follows the Hague Adoption Convention rules for international adoptions and will be adopted (or has been adopted) by a U.S. citizen. The petition finalizes the child’s immigration process.

WHO NEEDS IT:

You need Form I-800 if you are a U.S. citizen and you are the prospective adoptive parent of a child who habitually lives in a Hague Convention country. Before you can file Form I-800, you must already have an approved, valid Form I-800A. Form I-800A is the Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country — it shows USCIS has already approved you as suitable to adopt.

HOW TO FILE:

Follow these steps carefully. Missing items or wrong forms can cause rejection.

1. Confirm you have an approved Form I-800A and that it is still valid (not expired).

2. Download the current edition of Form I-800. The edition date must be 01/20/25. Check the bottom of each page to make sure all pages show this same date.

3. Fill out every required section. USCIS will reject the form if Part 2 (Information About You) is missing your family name or physical address.

4. Prepare the supporting documents. Do not mail the optional checklist—it is only for your own use. You must include:

- Your Form I-800A approval notice (and proof of any extension, if applicable).

- The Article 16 report containing all information required by 8 CFR Part 204.313(d)(3) and (4).

- A statement from your primary adoption service provider confirming you completed all pre-placement preparation and training.

- A post-placement plan, if one applies.

- Evidence that you met pre-adoption requirements of the state where the child will live, if applicable.

- A completed Form I-864 or Form I-864EZ (Affidavit of Support).

- A completed Form I-601, if applicable.

5. If any document is in a language other than English, include a full English translation. Also attach a signed certification from the translator stating the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent to translate.

6. Sign and date your Form I-800. An unsigned form will be rejected.

7. (Optional) If you want an email or text when USCIS receives your form, complete Form G-1145 and clip it to the front of your petition.

8. Pay the filing fee. The exact fee is not listed here; you must check the official fee schedule on the USCIS website.

9. Mail your complete package to the correct address:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: Adoption I-800

P.O. Box 660087

Dallas, TX 75266-0087

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: Adoption I-800 (Box 660087)

2501 S. State Hwy. 121

Business Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067-8003

FEES:

(check the official fee schedule)

CURRENT EDITION & DEADLINES:

Current acceptable form edition: 01/20/25. This date is printed at the bottom of each form page. USCIS may accept only this edition. There is no other deadline in this source. Always check the official USCIS webpage before you mail your form in case a newer edition was released.

COMMON MISTAKES:

- Using an outdated form edition or mixing pages from different editions. Every page must show the same date (01/20/25).

- Forgetting to fill in your family name and physical address in Part 2. The form will be rejected.

- Missing signature. Always sign and date the form.

- Sending original documents when they are not requested. Submit copies and keep your originals safe, unless the instructions specifically tell you to send an original.

- Forgetting the filing fee—check the official fee schedule and include the correct amount.

WHERE TO GET THE FORM:

Always download the form from the official USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/i-800. Do not use forms from other websites; they might be outdated or wrong.

SOURCE: https://www.uscis.gov/i-800

DISCLAIMER: General info from USCIS, not legal advice — always verify on the official page and consult a licensed immigration attorney for your case. English is authoritative.