Immigration through adoption: Hague, orphan, IR-3 and IR-4 visas

Who this is for

U.S. citizens, either married (with the spouse joining the petition) or unmarried and meeting the minimum age rule
Children from Hague Adoption Convention countries, who generally must go through the Hague process
Children from non-Hague countries who meet the immigration law definition of an orphan
Families who have adopted a child and lived with them in legal and physical custody for two years, who may in some cases use Form I-130 instead (IR-2)
Children who are generally under 16 when the petition is filed or the adoption takes place, with an exception for some siblings up to 18

Forms involved

Form	Official name	What it does
I-800A	Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country	Filed first in the Hague process so USCIS can decide if the prospective parents are suitable to adopt.
I-800	Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative	Filed after a match with a specific child, to show the child is eligible to immigrate through a Hague adoption.
I-600A	Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition	Optional first step in the non-Hague process to review the parents' suitability before a child is identified.
I-600	Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative	Filed for a specific child in the non-Hague process to show the child meets the orphan definition.
N-600	Application for Certificate of Citizenship	Used to request proof of citizenship for an adopted child who did not receive a certificate automatically.

Step by step

Choose an accredited provider and home studyFamilies usually work with an adoption service provider and complete a home study. In Hague cases the provider must be accredited or approved under U.S. rules.
Get suitability approvalProspective parents file Form I-800A (Hague) or, if they choose, Form I-600A (non-Hague) so USCIS can review their suitability and background checks.
Match with a child and file the petitionAfter a match, the parents file Form I-800 or Form I-600 for the child, with evidence about the child's eligibility.
Adoption or custody abroadIn Hague cases USCIS provisionally approves the I-800 before the adoption or custody grant is finalized abroad. The foreign process then is completed under that country's laws.
Immigrant visa for the childThe child applies for an IH-3, IH-4, IR-3 or IR-4 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, including a medical exam and interview.
Entry and proof of citizenshipChildren admitted on IR-3 or IH-3 visas are generally mailed a Certificate of Citizenship. For IR-4 or IH-4 children, the adoption is usually finalized in the U.S., after which parents can apply for a certificate with Form N-600.

Documents usually requested

Home study report meeting U.S. requirements
Proof of the parents' U.S. citizenship
Marriage certificate and proof that prior marriages ended, if applicable
Fingerprints and background check results for adults in the household
Child's birth certificate or other identity documents
Evidence the child is an orphan or eligible under Hague rules, such as release or relinquishment documents
Final adoption decree or custody grant from the foreign country
Child's passport and medical exam for the visa
Proof of state pre-adoption requirements, when the adoption will be finished in the U.S.

How long it takes

Timing depends on the child's country, the home study and suitability approval, the foreign adoption or custody process, USCIS and consulate workloads, and any requests for evidence. Rules in the child's country can change, so check the State Department's country page before starting.

Government filing fees

Forms I-800A, I-600A, I-800, I-600 and N-600 can carry USCIS filing fees, with biometrics and some re-filings handled by specific rules, and the immigrant visa carries a State Department fee. Check uscis.gov/g-1055 because fees and exemptions change.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using the wrong process, for example an orphan petition for a child from a Hague country
Finalizing an adoption in a Hague country before USCIS provisionally approves the I-800
Letting the I-800A or I-600A approval expire before the petition is filed
Assuming a child who meets the U.S. adoption definition automatically meets the immigration orphan definition
For IR-4 or IH-4 children, not completing the U.S. adoption or readoption, which can leave the child without citizenship

How MyUSVisa helps

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Frequently asked questions

Does my adopted child automatically become a U.S. citizen?

Often yes, under the Child Citizenship Act, if the adoption is full and final, the child is under 18, has a green card, and lives in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of a U.S. citizen parent. Children entering on IR-3 or IH-3 visas usually meet these conditions on arrival.

What is the difference between IR-3 and IR-4?

An IR-3 visa is for an orphan whose adoption was completed abroad, generally with the parents having seen the child before or during the adoption. An IR-4 visa is for an orphan coming to the U.S. to be adopted, or whose foreign adoption does not meet those conditions. IH-3 and IH-4 are the matching Hague visas.

Do I need a Certificate of Citizenship for my adopted child?

It is not required for citizenship itself, but it is strong proof of it. IR-3 and IH-3 children usually receive one by mail, while others can apply with Form N-600; a U.S. passport is another form of proof.

How do I know if a country uses the Hague process?

The State Department lists which countries are parties to the Hague Adoption Convention on its intercountry adoption pages. If the child habitually lives in a Convention country, the Hague process generally applies.

Can a green card holder adopt a child from abroad and bring them here?

The Hague and orphan processes are for U.S. citizen parents. A permanent resident may in some cases petition for an adopted child with Form I-130 after meeting the two-year custody and residence rule, so an attorney should review the facts.

Official sources

Last reviewed: October 2026
These guides have been reviewed by MyUSVisa counsel. They are provided as is: immigration laws and regulations change often, and like any written communication, this information may contain errors or typos. MyUSVisa is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; reading a guide does not create an attorney–client relationship. Only the information on the official USCIS website (uscis.gov) applies — always verify it there, especially if in doubt.