International Adoption Documentation

Explains the documents and processes involved in international child adoption.

Documents issued in one country which need to be used in another country must be "authenticated" or "legalized" before they can be used as valid in the foreign country. This is a process in which various seals are placed on the document.

Provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.

Criminal record clearance through fingerprinting is required for all international adoptions and in many domestic adoptions.

The quickest way to bring a foreign-born child that you hope to adopt to the U.S. is to file a USCIS form I-600A (Application for Advances Processing of Orphan Petition) before you identify a foreign-born child to adopt.