Adoptions

U.S. law requires that the adopted child, regardless of age, be brought to the Embassy for a personal appearance before a consular officer at the time of the interview for the immigrant visa.

The adopting parents may set a date for the formal immigrant visa interview after the adoption has been finalized and all the necessary documents have been obtained.

While we appreciate that adopting parents are usually eager to return to the U.S. as quickly as possible, parents should realize that an immigrant visa cannot, under any circumstances, be issued until all necessary documents have been obtained.


At the final interview, the documents listed in "Required Documents for IR-3 and IR-4 Visas" must be submitted, AND the child must be present. If the I-600 has not been signed, then both parents must sign the form at the final interview. The adoptive parent or his/her designated representative must also sign the immigrant visa application form on behalf of the child. The I-604 has two purposes: to verify that the child is an "orphan," and to identify any significant medical condition not shown on the petition.

Length of Visa Validity
The immigrant visa is valid for 180 days from date of issuance. Do NOT open the sealed envelope that comes with the visa, or detach the cover page. Documents submitted to the Embassy are in the visa packet. They are not returned to you. The Embassy does not keep copies of any documents you submit, nor are those documents available from the BCIS once you return to the United States. Therefore, adopting parents should obtain extra originals or certified copies of the adoption decree and the child's new birth certificate for their personal use in the future, including for application for the U.S. passport and Social Security number. The visa package should be in your carry-on luggage and must be presented intact to the BCIS at the port of entry.

Required Documents for IR-3 and IR-4 Visas

1. Passport
   Confirmation from the BCIS of an approved and valid I-600A;
2. Completed I-600 with original signatures by both adoptive parents;
3. Immigrant visa application form (DS-230, Parts I and II, available from the Embassy), signed by one parent on behalf of the child in the presence of a consular officer;
4. Two color photographs;
5. Results of the child's immigrant visa physical exam, including a vaccination report. A signed and notarized affidavit regarding deferral of vaccinations must be presented if there is no vaccination report in the medical exam results;
6. Immigrant visa fee of U.S. $335 + $45 visa surcharge cash or the denar equivalent at the Embassy's exchange rate;
7. 
   

- The final adoption decree, declaring that the court has ordered the child's complete and unconditional adoption, or a court decree granting legal custody for emigration and adoption abroad;
- The child's complete original birth certificate;
- The child's new birth certificate, listing the adopting parents as parents;
- Court records pertaining to the disposition of the birth parents' rights, including the fact that an unacknowledged father has no parental rights;
- If applicable, records of the child's stay in an orphanage.

Additional requirements for an IR-4 visa:

- Certified copy of the approved home study;
- Evidence that the pre-adoption requirements of the adopting parents' state of residence have been met;
- Evidence that re-adoption is legally possible in the parents' state of residence, if applicable;
- Notarized statement from any parent who has not met the child that the parent intends to adopt the child in the United States;
- Form I-864 Affidavit of Support and supporting documentation.

SOME DOCUMENTS MUST BEAR THE ORIGINAL SIGNATURE OF BOTH PARENTS. PLEASE ENSURE THAT IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR AN IR-4 VISA, OR YOUR SPOUSE IS NOT COMING TO SKOPJE WITH YOU, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS.

If an adopted child has any kind of defect, disability or disease, however minor, U.S. law requires that both adopting parents sign acknowledgments that they are aware of the child's health problem and are nevertheless willing to adopt the child. Faxed forms are not accepted. Each adoptive parent must sign his/her own acknowledgment; one parent cannot sign for another, even with a Power of Attorney.

By law, judges are allowed to request any documentation they deem necessary to confirm that the adoptive parents can provide a financially and emotionally stable environment. Adoptive families may want to bring copies of tax returns, property deeds or other documents that they believe will demonstrate their financial situation to the court at the time of the hearing. The Embassy suggests that families also bring a copy of the adoption laws of their state. Some judges desire to confirm that adoptive families have met all the requirements of the state in which they reside. The BCIS I-600A approval may not be considered adequate proof.